CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A firefighter with the city's "Pipes and Drums" band is missing his most valuable tool. Joey Kline said his bagpipes were stolen from his car after the Charlotte band played a funeral for a retired firefighter in April.
"It's just a piece of me that is gone, and it feels empty," Kline said.
Since 2004, Kline has played more than 100 events, including recruit graduations, firefighter funerals and other memorials.
"I was just really sick to my stomach," Kline said. "And then I was just heartbroken that this is the society we live in that people think it's OK to do this."
Since Kline's custom-made set was stolen, he hasn't been able to play at recruit graduations and the Coca-Cola 600. The set cost more than $6,000, but it's worth far more to Kline in sentimental value.
"This is just something that's irreplaceable," said Kline. "I could get another set but it wouldn't be the same."
Kline is hoping that someone will return the set. He said it could be dropped off at any fire station without any questions asked. Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward.