The Widows’ and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting at 1:00pm on March 14, 2017 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call: President John Centurioni, Vice President Leroy Lindo, Secretary Mark McDonough, Trustees Ray Kane, James O’Meara, Al Luenow, John Keane, and Sally Foster were present. Treasurer Dean Taylor was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to approve the minutes from last month’s meeting in February. Trustee Sally Foster seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: No applications, suspensions or reinstatements this month. Our next visit to the Police Academy is tentatively scheduled for June 12, 2017 for the 256th graduating class.
Communications and Bills: President John Centurioni presented the monthly bills and death benefit payments. Death Benefits were paid to the beneficiaries of recently passed members Ford Long and Howard Jackson. Trustee Sally Foster submitted a bill of $244.00 for WOAA sympathy cards. A bill of $330.00 was submitted by President Centurioni for new Apple Computer training for the Secretary. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the bills. Trustee John Keane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. Our 2016 Annual Summary Report should be available on our website prior to our April meeting.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of the following members:
Thomas A. Burns, age 76: Thomas Allen Burns was born in San Francisco, California. Tom worked as a Deputy Sheriff prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department. Tom entered the S.F.P.D. on October 1, 1962 at the age of 22. Tom wore star #1189. Tom graduated from the Police Academy on November 23, 1962 and worked the following assignments during his nearly twenty eight years on the Force: Park Police Station (November 23, 1962, Southern Police Station (August 8, 1967), Ingleside Police Station (September 8, 1969), Central Police Station (April 20, 1970), CPRC Parks and Beaches (July 19, 1970), Southern Police Station (February 23, 1972), BSS (February 20, 1974 and promoted to Q-35 Inspector of Police), Juvenile Bureau (September 25, 1975), Crime Specific Task Force (CSTF January 25, 1976), BSS (March 31, 1976), Taraval Police Station (promoted to Q-50 Sergeant of Police on July 19. 1978) where he finished his career. Tom was a highly decorated Officer. Tom was awarded a Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on February 21, 1968. Tom, with Officers Donald Anderson, Lloyd Cunningham, Eugene “Gene” Donaldson, and Mark Hurley who all attempted to rescue a boy who had fallen into the Bay. The officers dove into the Bay and despite the cold, they conducted a lengthy and systematic search that ended with their recovery of the boy at the bottom of the bay. Tom was awarded his second Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 16, 1968. Tom and his partner Mark Hurley responded to a call for assistance from fellow officers who were under fire from a sniper. Burns and Hurley arrived to see a man running arm with a rifle and running from the scene. Burns and Hurley recognized the suspect as a person who had a prior arrest for assaulting officers. Burns and Hurley drew their weapons and called out the suspect’s name which startled him. The suspect surrendered when he observed that Burns and Hurley had the drop on him. Tom was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on November 21, 1969. Tom responded to a family argument and was told by the hysterical and bleeding complainant that her husband had assaulted her with a knife and was going to kill their eleven year old daughter. Tom observed the young girl to have a laceration on her throat while the father was holding the knife in a position to cut her once more. Tom fired at the suspect’s arm that was holding the knife. The bullet entered the suspect’s shoulder and traveled downward which proved to be fatal. Tom was awarded a third Medal of Valor with a Bronze Medal for services rendered on Thursday May 28, 1970 at 2100 hours. Tom, with Officers James Baca, Joseph Brewer Jr., and James Long observed smoke billowing from a building on Frederick Street. The Officers immediately entered and escorted approximately twenty persons to safety. A ten month old infant whose bed was engulfed in flames and the infant’s mother who was semi-conscious and gasping for air, were brought to safety. Tom was awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on March 27, 1977 at 0015 hours. Inspectors Tom Burns and John Troche, while on patrol in the area of Ellis and Mason Streets, observed the third floor of the Diamond Hotel engulfed in flames. The Diamond Hotel was located at 225 Ellis Street. The flames were so intense that the windows in the building were exploding and showering the street and sidewalk with glass. After warning pedestrians and calling for the Fire Department, the Inspectors responded inside the burning building. The Inspectors ascended to the third floor shouting out for occupants. With hot embers and plaster falling around them from the ceiling, Burns and Troche forcibly removed several occupants who refused to leave. Burns and Troche led a group of occupants to safety as they crawled down the smoke filled stairway. The effort by Burns and Troche resulted in all building occupants being evacuated prior to the first responding Fire Department unit had arrived. Tom was awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on Friday January 19, 1979. Sgt. Thomas Burns, responded to Sixth Avenue and Kirkham Street at 1850 hours on a call of a sniper. The Sniper was firing shots from a window at 206 Kirkham Street. The sniper’s shots hit one man on the street. The Sergeant, at great personal risk, and under fire, assisted Officer Kenneth Katz and Ambulance Steward Joe Parker in rescuing the suspect’s wife and several other potential victims from the building that at that time was under a state of siege. Officer Katz received a Gold Medal of Valor for his effort in this incident. Officers Mark Porto and Gene Reed received Bronze Medals of Valor, and Police Officers John McCauley, Jim Balovich, Michael L. Kelly, Robert Fitzer, Robert Barnes, Joseph Curtin, and Earl Wismer received Police Commission Commendations.
Thomas F. Moore, age 74: Thomas F. Moore was born on July 6, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Thomas Francis Moore Sr. and Muriel Doris Moore. Thomas was predeceased by His parents Thomas and Muriel, his sister Maureen Grace Cook and his brother Kevin Barry Moore. Thomas is survived by his wife Tanya, son Cedric, and siblings Kenneth Moore, Kathryn Moore, Kerry Nacinovich, Karlene Murdaco, and Kelly Moore. Thomas graduated from Delano Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, New York in the early 1960’s. A few years later Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, and later in Germany. After three years, Thomas was honorably discharged from the Army. Thomas lived in Germany and traveled about Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey. Thomas was a great story teller and would later recount his travel adventures. In 1970, Thomas would return to the United States and lived for a brief period in New York. Thomas relocated to San Francisco in 1972. Shortly thereafter, Thomas was hired by the San Franciso Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy, and later joined the San Francisco Police Department. Thomas entered the San Francisco Police Academy on January 29, 1990. Thomas worked the following assignments during his career: Mission Police Station (June 10,1990), Potrero Police Station (September 15, 1990), Richmond Police Station (August 3, 1991), Support Services (November 21, 1998), and the Robbery Detail (February 22, 2000). Thomas retired on June 20, 2008. Thomas met his wife Tanya in 1990 and were together throughout the remainder of Thomas’ life. Thomas and Tanya spent their time together in their home in Lake County where they loved the peace, quiet, and natural beauty of the area. Thomas was an avid reader and storyteller. Thomas took to an active interest in the local politics, development, and activities. Some of Thomas’ friends referred to him jokingly referred to him as the Mayor of Lake County. Thomas loved his cars and his motorcycle. Thomas also loved animals. As a young boy in Brooklyn he often brought home stray dogs. As an adult he grew fond of cats. One Sunday he found a beautiful gray cat which stayed with him. Naturally, he named the cat “Sunday”. Thomas was a man with a good heart, and he was a generous person, especially with children. He could debate politics with anyone as he stayed current with world events and news. He loved reading Sherlock Holmes novels. Thomas was an independent thinker, who as they say…marched to his own drummer. He was unconventional, but he was grounded in family, friends, love for his work as a police officer, a strong affinity for nature, and above all had a deep and abiding love for his wife Tanya who brought him so much happiness.
Joseph Stone, age 87: Joseph R. Stone was born on July 9, 1929 in North Carolina. Joe was employed by the Pinkerton Detective Agency prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Joe joined the S.F.P.D. on June 17, 1963. Joe left the Police Academy on September 8, 1963, was given star #551, and was sent to Taraval Police Station. On December 1, 1967 Joe was transferred to Central Police Station. On August 28, 1970 Joe received his final S.F.P.D. transfer to Northern Police Station where he worked for the remaining eighteen years of his career. Joe retired on July 7, 1988 after twenty five years of service. Joe received a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on March 8, 1985 when he and his partner Gus Stremme (see below in August Stremme’s obituary), three Sergeants and several other officers subdued an armed mentally ill man who was threatening to shoot tenants and psychiatric workers in the room of his apartment. Joe, Gus, Sergeants Garry Epperly, Larry Price, and Ignaciao Fuentes (received a Bronze Medal of Valor), and Officers Lewis Bronfeld, Carmel DeBono, Martin Rohrs, and Johnny Velasquez worked as a team to apprehend the suspect and stop the threat. Joe received a second Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on April 9, 1988. Joe, with Sgt. Dirk Beijan and Officers Robert J. Brodnik, Mark McDonough, and Nadim Totah, apprehended three suspects who held up the Time Savings and Loan Office at 2142 Fillmore Street. The suspects locked a total of four persons into the bank vault and escaped in a vehicle traveling south on Webster from California Streets. A description of the suspects and the vehicle was obtained by the named Officers who located them and engaged in a hot chase. After their vehicle crashed, the suspects exited the vehicle and ran in different directions. The Officers gave chase on foot. The suspects were subsequently captured. The armed suspects were disarmed by the Officers, and over $40,000 was recovered. It was a full recovery of all the stolen money from the Savings and Loan. As an officer involved in this incident I can add that there was more information of a greater and more dangerous nature regarding the suspects and the Robbery motives that is not listed in the Police Commission summary. The information was obtained verbally from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of their follow up investigation.
August Stremme, age 86: August “Gus” Stremme was born in San Francisco, California. Gus was a graduate of Balboa High School in San Francisco. Prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department Gus worked in Butchertown until he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his return to San Francisco, Gus worked as a laborer, and subsequently joined the San Francisco Police Department. Gus entered the S.F.P.D. on April 16, 1956. Gus graduated from the Police Academy on July 9, 1956, wore star #1847, and was transferred to Park Police Station. Gus worked the following assignments during his career: Portrero Police Station (January 2, 1957), Ingleside Police Station (October 16, 1957), and received his final transfer on March 17, 1958 to Northern Police Station. Gus was assigned at Northern Station for the remaining 28 years of his career. Gus retired on March 13, 1986. Gus was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Friday March 8, 1985. On that date at 1:28pm, Officer Stremme with Sergeants Gary Epperly and Larry Price, and Officers Lewis Bronfeld, Carmel DeBono, Martin Rohrs, Joseph Stone, and Johnny Velasquez responded to a call of a mentally ill man armed with a gun and threatening to shoot tenants and psychiatric workers from inside his room. The subject was apprehended without serious harm to the subjects and all involved parties. The successful conclusion of this critical incident was the product of diligent and outstanding team work on the part of all the named Officers. Sergeant Ignacio Fuentes received a Bronze Medal of Valor for his efforts in this incident. After retiring Gus and his wife Joyce spent time traveling and spending more time with their family. Gus also purchased a classic car and won 56 awards throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties. Gus was predeceased by his wife Joyce. Gus is survived by his daughter Janet, his son in law Anthony, his son Steven, his step daughter Debra and two grandchildren.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Unfinished Business: 2016 WOAA President has decided to forgo the Annual Presidents Dinner. Sally requested a small intimate dinner with the Board and their spouses.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: The Secretary addressed proper administrative document filing in our file cabinets at 850 Bryant Street.
Adjournment: President Centurioni led the Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen members. President Centurioni scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday April 10, 2017. Our meetings are held at 850 Bryant Street, room #150 in San Francisco, California at 1:00pm.
To All: Please visit our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Beneficiary forms can be accessed on our website by clicking on the RESOURCE box on our face page. New beneficiary changes must be signed by a board member, or notary. Please use the beneficiary form for any contact number and address changes. There is no notary or board member signature required for contact or address changes. We wish to express our gratitude and thanks to the , people who assist us in our monthly operation: Paul Chignell (POA legal defense administrator and retired SFPD Captain), David Ng in Personnel, Risa Tom and Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw in the office of the Police Commission, Ray Shine (POA Journal editor and retired SFPD Solo), retired SFPD Lieutenant Rene Laprevotte, and the Traffic Solo Command and Officers who bestow their generosity each month to the WOAA by allowing us to use their conference room for our meetings.