About Us
Oregon Police Emerald Society History and Purpose:
After Chief Ralph Painter's Funeral, several officers from all over the metro area and Chicago PD were toasting a pint to Chief Painter's Honor and ultimate sacrifice after the funeral at Kells.
During the evening the question of an Oregon Police Emerald Society came up and marching in parades on St Patrick's Day with other police officers from around the country.
Immediately, Officer John McKenna from the Chicago PD made a call to Officer Megan Lyon with the Emerald Society of Illinois and the first St Patrick's Day parade was in motion.
Since that first trip, Law Enforcement Officers from Gresham, Portland, Fairview, Clackamas, West Linn, Beaverton and Multnomah County have traveled to Chicago, NYC, Boston, Savannah, New Orleans and Arizona to march in St. Patrick's Day parades with Emerald Societies from all over the country and Ireland.
After our last trip to Savannah GA, where we marched with the Police Emerald Society of Southeast Georgia, along with Emerald Society members from Chicago, NY and officers from Ireland, we decided to officially form an the Oregon Police Emerald Society.
We have modeled our Emerald Society after several other such groups, especially the Police Emerald Society of Southeast Georgia and we decided to distinguish ourselves from other uniformed officers by being uniformed in a Highland / Celtic-Kilted uniform that we wanted to be unique to our Emerald Society.
The intent of the newly formed OPES is to be more then just a social (drinking) organization. We will certainly have those specific functions but we will also have board and planning functions.
We intend on continuing to travel to march in St Patrick's Parades and interact with other Police Emerald Societies across the country and Canada. All members would be welcome to travel with the OPES.
We are officially recognized by the National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies.
We would also like to have at least one family social gathering each year. Down the road, we would also like to work with other Irish / Celtic organizations to have our own St. Patrick's Day parade in Portland.
Unlike some of the other Police Emerald Societies across the country, who only accept members who can prove their Irish / Celtic descent, we want to be more inclusive than exclusive.
OPES members must be Sworn Peace Officers or Retired in good standing. As OPES members, we have met some fantastic Officers from all over the country and Ireland, who have become great friends and resources when we have travelled as part of the OPES or when on vacations.
Please contact any of our current members listed on this site .