Editor’s note: The following letter was sent by APCO International President Bill Carrow to the Northern California Chapter of APCO President Angela M. Azevedo regarding the passing of long-time APCO member Art McDole. It was read aloud at a memorial service for McDole on May 14 at Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Ms. Angela M. Azevedo, President
Northern California Chapter of APCO
California Dept of Corrections & Rehabilitation
Enterprise Info Svcs/Radio Comm Unit
9838 Old Placerville Rd., Bldg. B
Sacramento, CA 95827-3556 

Dear President Azevedo,
I am sending this letter on behalf of the APCO Board of Directors and ask that you have it presented at the memorial service for Art McDole on May 14, 2011.

It was truly a sad day, weeks ago when the news spread regarding the passing of Art McDole.  When you think of Art McDole, so many pictures, thoughts and ideas flood your mind.  I guess to sum it up, he was a communications pioneer. 

I was amazed to learn of his start in communications dealing with juke boxes, and they certainly weren’t the ones I became used to in watching Happy Days!  From his humble beginnings in public safety communications of installing radios for a police department, Art progressed to being a frequency coordinator, something he continued well into retirement.  His help and assistance truly made a difference.

I don’t think there is any greater testimony of what Art meant to our industry than to have an award named in his honor.  The Art McDole award is an award presented by APCO for technical work at the highest level.  All of the recipients certainly were appreciative for the hard work and diligence displayed by Art throughout his career, and to be associated through a named award with his legacy is humbling.

On behalf of the members, staff and Board of Directors of APCO International, please accept our condolences on the loss of a great leader in public safety communications.  Not only did Art leave a void in his family, but this void is also felt by us, his peers as well.

Sincerely,
William D. Carrow
President, APCO International