Chief Neil J. Purcell to Be Honored--Twice

Retiring Police Chief Neil J. Purcell Jr. will be honored at two parties next month, including a dinner that is expected to draw at least 400 guests and most of the county’s police chiefs.

Purcell, 56, announced his retirement last month after almost 30 years of service in Laguna Beach. He will leave in March, and Deputy Chief Jim Spreine will take over.

Two events were needed to accommodate the chief’s friends, past and present co-workers and other admirers from throughout the state, said Spreine, who is organizing the celebrations.

“He’s a highly respected chief in this county,” he said. “When you have somebody who’s dedicated this much time to a community, it’s our way of showing how much we appreciate him.”

The first fete will be a dinner party Feb. 20 at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The officers’ club on base was selected because it can accommodate 400 people, Spreine said. The dinner costs $35 a person, and early reservations are suggested.

“We’ll be roasting him,” Spreine said. “It’s going to be kind of serious, but it’s also going to be kind of fun.”

The chief, who is building a home in Big Sky, Mont., where he plans to live eight months a year, also will be honored at an informal get-together at Legion Hall in Laguna Beach on Feb. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. The hall is at 384 Legion St.

“It’s an opportunity for people who aren’t available [for the Feb. 20 dinner] or don’t want to pay for a sit-down dinner,” Spreine said.

To reserve a seat for the dinner or for more information, call Purcell’s secretary Jude Gardner at 497-0384.