The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association was called to order by President Matt Gardner on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 1:46 p.m. in Room 150 at the Hall of Justice.
President Gardner opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Officers:
President Matt Gardner, Vice-President Mark McDonough, Secretary Joe Reilly, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees John Centurioni, John Keane, and Harold Vance were present. Trustees Al Luenow and Bob Mattox were excused. Also present was WOAA member Sally Minkel.
Approval of the minutes of the October meeting:
A motion made by Centurioni, seconded by Vance to approve the November minutes passed without objection.
Receiving applications for new members, suspensions and reinstatements:
The following members of the 230th Lateral Recruit Class were formally admitted to membership in the Widows and Orphans Aid Association: Edward Barrientos,
Nicholas Cuevas, John Cunnie, Peter Larsen and Hernan Villalobos.
President Gardner directed that they be added to the membership rolls.
Report of the Trustees:
Four member deaths were reported:
Lawrence R. Sheerin, 81, appointed April 16, 1956, 80th Academy Class, Star #1844.
A San Francisco native, Lawrence worked as a carpenter before entering the Department.
His first assignment was to Mission Station in 1956, followed by brief assignments at Southern and Park Stations. In 1958, Lawrence was transferred from park to City Prison where he remained until 1965 when he was transferred to the Property Clerk where he would serve until his retirement in 1986. Lawrence was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor in 1974 for his role in the apprehension of a suspect armed with a rifle who had shot and wounded his wife and fired at another person who tried to help her.
Layton M. Duffy, 83, appointed January 16, 1954, 76th Academy Class, Star #1818.
A native of Sacramento, Layton worked as a cook before entering the Department. His first assignment was to the Traffic Company (Co. K). He was assigned fixed post traffic duty followed by an assignment to the Accident Prevention Bureau in 1956. In 1963 Layton was transferred to three wheel motorcycle duties in traffic control and parking enforcement.
He left Co. K in 1976 and served three years at Central Station until his retirement in 1979.
Layton was awarded the following Medals of Valor: a First Grade Meritorious (Gold Medal) in 1951 for repeatedly entering a burning apartment building after turning in the alarm and leading several residents out to safety; a Second Grade Meritorious (Silver Medal) in 1960 for his role
in capturing and forcibly disarming a suspect who had just committed an armed robbery of a
bank; a Third Grade Meritorious (Bronze Medal) in March, 1964 for the capture and arrest after a foot chase of an armed suspect who had just robbed a bank; and a Third Grade Meritorious (Bronze Medal) in April, 1964 for the arrest of another bank robber, also apprehending the suspect after a foot chase (two bank robbers in two weeks).
Preston J. Nolan, 82, appointed June 8, 1953, 73rd Academy Class, Star # 1639.
A native of Chicago, Preston worked as an electrician before his appointment. His first assignment was to Park Station where he served until he was promoted to Sergeant in 1966 and transferred to Taraval. 1969 brought a transfer to the Central Warrant Bureau followed by a transfer to Northern Station in 1971. Preston transferred to Southern Station in 1978 and received a temporary promotion to Lieutenant later that same year. He retired in 1981. Preston was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor in 1973 for his role in the apprehension and arrest of a rape suspect who was holding a woman at gunpoint.
James M. Curran, 87, appointed July 30, 1947, 41st Academy Class, Star #1075.
A native of San Francisco, James attended school before his appointment. His first assignment was to Park Station from the Academy, followed by assignments at Southern in 1951 and Central in 1956. He was promoted to Sergeant in in1961 and transferred to Ingleside briefly before being sent back to Central. James was promoted to Lieutenant in 1967 and returned to Park Station. In 1968 he was detailed to the Supervising Captain’s Office (FOB) and the following year transferred to the Crime Prevention Company (Tactical). He served in Personnel briefly before his promotion to Captain in 1972. As Captain, James would command the Juvenile Bureau, Central Station, the Crime Specific Task Force (CSTF) and the Support Services Bureau before his retirement in 1978. He was awarded the following Medals of Valor: a Third Grade Meritorious (Bronze Medal) in 1964 for the disarming and arrest of a suspect who had robbed a grocery store and fired shots at the clerk; a Third Grade Meritorious (Bronze Medal) in 1965 for his role in the disarming and arrest of a man seen struggling with a woman. As the officers intervened the suspect turned and produced a gun however the suspect was disarmed before he could discharge the firearm.
Communications:
Routine correspondence and the normal monthly bills were received in November. The Association received two memorial donations in memory of Jane Lang, mother of Theresa Lang, Staff Services and wife of Lieutenant Tom Lang, (deceased): $100.00 from Martin Halloran and $75.00 from Kenneth Lovette.
Bills Payable:
Treasurer Taylor presented the routine monthly expenses of the Association, including payment of death benefits, and requested approval for their payment. A motion by Centurioni, seconded by Mattox to approve payment passed without objection.
Unfinished Business:
Having closed nominations for President, Vice President, Treasurer and three Trustees, and because there are no contested offices, President Gardner directed that the election be declared unanimous and the newly elected Officers and Trustees seated at the January, 2012 meeting. (By-laws, Art. VI, Sec.2)
New Business: Joe Reilly, Secretary, discussed the work being done on revisions to the Association’s Constitution and By-laws. Two areas being examined initially are the requirements of ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (1974) that governs the administration of the plan (Association) and also the management of the Association’s investment policy. A more practical and efficient structure may be achieved by placing the investment policy within the authority of the Association’s Trustees. However, any modifications to the Constitution and By-laws would be subject to the ratification of the membership.
Good of the Association: If you are a Widows and Orphans member who will be retiring soon, or if you have retired in the last year, please remember that payroll deductions for dues will stop. Please contact the Association for instructions on maintaining your membership. Members can contact the Association at woaasfpolice@gmail.com in addition to the Association’s voice mail phone number (415) 681-3660, or speak to any one of the Association officers.
Adjournment: President Gardner set the next meeting for Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 1:45 p.m. in Room 150 at the Hall of Justice. The Officers and Trustees wish all of our members a very Happy Holiday Season and Best Wishes for 2012. A moment of silence was observed for our deceased members. The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 p.m.