Brian J. Coughlan
Grand Council of United Emerald Societies Aide
Brian Coughlan
Brian J. Coughlan is the seventh of nine children of Mary (nee Sullivan) and the late, John of Kilmihil, County Clare. Raised in the parish of the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bay Ridge, he studied at Iona College on an academic and bagpipe scholarship becoming the Pipe Major of the Iona College Pipe Band before graduating from the NYC Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hazardous Devices School and the 235th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Brian is presently the Director, Specialized Security Operations for MSA Security, overseeing the NFL K-9 Initiative and the Sun Valley Conference. Brian is retired from the New York City Police Department, after serving in numerous capacities including Bomb Technician/Squad Supervisor, Sergeant/Supervisor Detective Squad, and Patrolman, receiving numerous awards during his career including “Rookie of the Year” award. Brian is a proud graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hazardous Devices School and the 235th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Brian joined the New York City Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums serving as its Secretary, Pipe Sergeant, Pipe Major, and for 12 years as its Bandmaster. He led the Band as the first uniformed service band to reach the Grade 3 level. The NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums have won more awards than any other Pipe Band in the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Brian is a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Michael F. Hogan Division 15 in Massapequa Park, Long Island. He is a member of the NYPD Holy Name Society and sits on the Board of Governors of the New York State and Eastern Canada Chapter for the FBI National Academy Alumni Association. Brian has received the 2015 Irish Echo Law and Order Leader Award, the 2011 ”Patrolman Edward Byrne Award” from The Great Irish Fair of New York, was an Aide to the Grand Marshal for the 1997 Brooklyn Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, and awarded the “Citizen’s Spirit Award” by the New York Knickerbockers basketball team for his work as a volunteer for the Physically Challenged Irish and American Youth Team.
Brian and his wife, Patricia (nee Jordan) have four beautiful children – Conor, John, Brian and Caile. The Coughlan’s are proud parishioners of the Saint Rose of Lima Parish, where Trish and Brian serve as catechists in the CCD program.