City Mourns Huntington Beach Former Mayor, Police Officer

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — The Huntington Beach Police Department shared the passing of former police officer and mayor of Huntington Beach, Gil Coerper.

It is with great sadness we learned of the passing of Former Mayor and Police Officer Gil Coerper on Saturday, February 26, 2017. Gil served Huntington Beach as a police officer for 39 years. After his retirement, Gil was twice elected to the Huntington Beach City Council from 2002 to 2010 and was Mayor in 2006.

Gil led the City Council's adoption of Camp Pendleton's Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment and was the committee's chair. Because of this adoption, Huntington Beach now supports and assists the families of hundreds of Marines during their stateside deployments and to Iraq.

Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Gil has always been a leader. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and later joined the California State Military Reserve and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Gil's contributions to our community reach far beyond police work. Long active in the Boy Scouts, he organized Orange County's first Military Explorer Post 558 for youth to explore a career in the military.

Because of his efforts, the Boy Scouts of America honored him with the Exploring Division's Award of Merit and the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, appointed Gil as their admissions coordinator for Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He served on the military academy appointments committee for two local congressmen.

Gil also was elected to the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation and the California Police Officers Research Association, where he later served as a director. He helped build the Fallen Police Officers Monument on the State Capitol grounds.

In 2016, the Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation created the Gil Coerper Educational Scholarship Award. In lieu of flowers, Gil’s family has asked that anyone wishing to make a donation send it to the below address.

Gil Coerper Academic Scholarship
C/O The Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation
P.O.Box 4538
Huntington Beach
CA 92605