aurora police department pipes and drums

The “Pipes and Drums of the Aurora Police” is a group of 10 dedicated officers that carry on the tradition of bagpipe music in the law enforcement profession for the citizens of Aurora.

One of the few police department bagpipe and drum units in Illinois, the unit made their official debut during “National Police Week” in 2004, after a period of organization that began two years previously. Under the direction of Terry McHugh, a nationally-renowned bagpipe instructor, the group is an extension of the Aurora Police Honor Guard. Their music has graced various police week events, funerals, parades and other public and private ceremonies.

The officers, six bagpipe players and four drummers, practice on their own time and even paid the majority of funds required for their instruments, out of their own pockets. Their uniforms, which in total cost almost $20,000, were mostly paid for from the funds secured through the Aurora Police Foundation and the Lester Leifheit Memorial Fund - the largest donation ever.