Sgt. Brian C. Meagher, ret. was the longest serving member of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums in its history. He passed away on Wednesday February 26 at the age of 82 surrounded by his family. Brian was a third-generation bagpiper, one of three generations to play in the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.
The above links are but a small window into the band's history, Brian was one of our great story tellers and is featured in all three.
He is a great touchstone for the NYPD, part of a multigenerational family, not only in the job but in the Pipes & Drums. From humble beginnings on Willis Avenue to children and grandchildren achieving the American dream, but never forgetting they were Irish.
The Meaghers are steeped in the police department history. Two of Brian's brothers had served in the police department, his father and uncle. His son Justin, now an attorney, was a Police Officer in Midtown North. His son Brian is presently an Executive Director in the Police Department, serving as legal counsel to the executive leadership.
Inspector Pearse Meagher and his brother Patrolman Tom Meagher founded the NYPD Pipes & Drums in 1960. Brian was an 18-year-old piper who was pressed into service to fill the ranks of the band in its infancy alongside his father, retired patrolman Tom Meagher who was the piping instructor, his piper Uncle Pearse (then a Capt.), and his uncle Don who was the bass drummer. After a stint in the Army, Brian returned to Willis Avenue in the Bronx and was sworn into the NYPD as a Patrolman.
Assigned to the 32nd Precinct, he rejoined the Pipes & Drums and would march alongside his father and uncles. He was not alone in the family filling the ranks as his brother Kevin, a highway patrolman was also a piper. His cousins Colin and Kenny Meagher, Pearse Meagher's sons would soon join as well.
Later Brian's own son Justin joined the pipe band as a drummer while a Police Officer in Midtown North and presently his son Brian, an Executive Director, Counsel in the Chief of Department's Office is a piper. Quite a family history.
But Brian was not a piper first, he was a cop who happened to play the bagpipes and was proud of his Irish lineage and the family tradition.
He was a Patrolman in the 32 Precinct from 1963 to 1967, during some tumultuous times, including the Harlem Riots. He was a plainclothesman in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, a Detective in the 30 Det Squad and briefly in the Homicide Squad before promotion to Sergeant.
As a Sergeant Brian found his role in the NYPD. He was looked to by his men and fellow Sergeants often and quickly was named SBA Delegate in the 24th Precinct. Brian was a strong voice for Sergeants during very difficult years in the 1970s. Later he would transfer to Manhattan South Narcotics and assume the role of the SBA OCCB Director.
Brian retired in 1983 and began a career as an insurance investigator for The Travellers, later CitiGroup.
Brian remained an active member marching and performing with the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums for 64 years!
He was the institutional memory and elder statesman of the band and will be missed greatly.
Retired Sgt. Brian Meagher, with sons Brian Jr and Justin.
Left to right: (Founding Member) Sgt Finbar Devine, Drum Major, Sgt. Brian Meagher, (Founding Member) Ptl. Tom Meagher, EAC Brian Meagher, Jr, (Founding Member) Ptl. Ed Moloney
With PC Sewell
With son, Executive Agency Counsel Brian Meager Jr
With son Justin Meagher, former PO MTN Pct, now an attorney
Wedding to Patricia Maher