Hibernian Radio with Mike "Houli" Houlihan
[https://hibernianradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/679245851_10162072924556330_3981484052725197416_n-225x300.jpg]This week on Hibernian Radio, Paddy Houlihan welcomes retired Commander Bruce Quintos, a Chicago native whose life blends law enforcement, music, and Irish heritage into one remarkable story. Raised on the West Side by a Filipino father who was a barber and boxer and an Irish mother from County Down, Bruce grew up surrounded by discipline, music, and strong family ties. At St. Rita High School he formed a band with classmates who would later become Chicago police officers, setting the stage for a life that would always balance music and service. Bruce went on to a 30-year career in law enforcement, beginning with Chicago Ridge PD and later the Cook County Forest Preserve Police, where he worked undercover narcotics cases involving drugs and biker gangs. Even during those demanding years, he never left music behind. That passion led him to the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums in 1993, where he rose to Pipe Major and helped modernize the group’s Irish repertoire. The band performed at major events, including Carnegie Hall after 9/11, becoming a fixture in Chicago’s Irish American community. He later helped form the Chicago Garda Pipes and Drums, dedicated to honoring veterans through music. Now more than 35 members strong, the group includes law enforcement and civilians and continues to perform at funerals and memorials. Their recent trip to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day brought that mission full circle, performing in Galway alongside families. Bruce also shares lighter moments from his career, including Chicago ghost stories, police camaraderie, and the humor that carried him through decades of service. At its heart, this episode is about identity, tradition, and the unexpected ways music and duty come together. Sponsored By: Fox’s Pizza (Orland Park & Mokena), Flood Brothers Disposal, Madden Funds and Local 150 Engineers
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