The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday December 12. 2023, via Zoom technology. The meeting commenced at 1100 hours.
Roll Call: President Lou Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor; Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara. Maureen Leonard, and Rob Forneris, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the November 2023 minutes. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: No report this month.
Communication and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the bills and beneficiary claims requested by the family of recently deceased members James Griffin and Dennis Quinn. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the bills and claims. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion, The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of our following members:
Alan Phillips, age 81: Alan Wallace Phillips was born on April 13, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. Al worked as a Warehouseman prior to entering into a career in Law Enforcement. Al entered the San Francisco Police Department on February 16, 1969. Al was assigned to Star #645 and worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Richmond Police Station (September 8. 1969), Criminal Information Bureau (May 16, 1971), Ingleside Police Station (June 1, 1972), BCI (June 5, 1974), Park Police Station (February 19, 1975) where he worked until retiring with a Service Pension on January 8, 1999.
Richard J. Shippy, age 78: Richard J. Shippy was born on May 10. 1942, in San Francisco, California. Richard is listed as having worked at a Fiterpress Operator prior to entering into his career in Law Enforcement. Richard Shippy entered the San Francisco Police Department on January 3, 1964, and was assigned to Star #1159. Richard worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Mission Police Station (March 30, 1964), Central Police Station (March 15, 1965), Promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and Police Inspector, and transferred to Potrero Police Station (March 17, 1971), Ingleside Police Station (May 4, 1972), Inspectors Bureau (March 7, 1973), Promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant and transferred to Northern Police Station (January 3, 1977), C.S.T.F. Parks & Beaches (March 12, 1980), Tactical (September 20, 1981), Lieutenant Richard Shippy was promoted to the rank of Police Captain on March 3, 1982, and was later transferred to the Traffic Bureau (September 12, 1984), Richmond Police Station (January 12, 1986), Promoted the rank of Police Commander on January 22. 1990 and transferred to the 3rd Patrol (January 28, 1990). Richard J. Shippy retired with a Service Pension on January 1, 1993. Awards: For services rendered on Friday November 11, 1978, Lieutenant Richard Shippy and Officer Martin Barbero were awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor. Shippy and Barbero, at 0415 hours, were informed by a female victim who was bleeding from her face and in a hysterical condition, that her ex-boyfriend had held her captive in his apartment for the past 8 hours. She stated her ex-boyfriend was armed and had fired two shots at her. Shippy and Barbero responded to her apartment and announced themselves as Police Officers. Shippy and Barbero were denied entry and they called for assistance. Shippy and Barbero gained entry by the use of a battering ram and entered the apartment. They observed the suspect lying on the floor and holding a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Shippy and Barbero dove on top of the suspect and engaged in a violent struggle to gain control of the suspect’s firearm. Shippy and Barbero placed the suspect under arrest. The suspect was transferred to Northen Police Station where he was booked for attempted murder and felony assault. Commander Richard Shippy had other Bronze Medals of Valor; however, the information was not available. In 1967 Officer Shippy was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for helping victims of a fire to safety. In 1968, Officer Richard Shippy was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for an extensive investigation and apprehension of a rape suspect. In 1968, Officer Shippy was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for the arrest of two burglary suspects that fired shots at him and other officers. In 1969, Officer Richard Shippy was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for the arrest of a suspect armed with a meat cleaver who was terrorizing several people.
–William Wakefield, age 93: William Wakefield was born on November 3, 1930, in San Francisco, California. William is listed as having been a Student and a Yellow Cab driver prior to entering into his career in Law Enforcement. Bill Wakefield entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1966. Bill was assigned to Star #161, and worked the following assignments during his 36-year career: Richmond Police Station (September 12, 1966), Mission Police Station (July 15, 1973), Operations (February 10, 1974), BCI (July 26, 1976), Records Division/Auto Statis (May 7, 1980), Southern Police Station (September 3, 1988), Operations Center (October 8, 1988), Southern Police Station (January 19, 1991), Taraval Police Station (August 18, 1999). Bill retired with a Service Retirement on January 5, 2002.
Steven Wilhelm, age 79: Awards: Stephen George Wilhelm was born on June 18, 1944, in Brownwood, Texas, to Albert George Wilhelm and Irene Ann Wilhelm (McGuire). Brownwood is in Brown County in the North Texas Hill Country and west of the Pecan Bayou. Steve passed away on December 6, 2023 from his battle with Leukemia. Steve never lost hope or his enjoyment of life. Albert and Ann were from San Francisco. Albert was a member of the United States Army and was stationed in Brownwood, Texas when Steve was born. Albert was deployed overseas to Okinawa in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. Steve and his mother moved to San Francisco where Steve graduated from Alvarado Elementary School, James Lick Junior High School, Mission High School, and San Francisco State University. In 1964 Steve joined the Army Reserve and served until 1970. Steve is listed as having been employed as a Post Office Clerk prior to a career in Law Enforcement. Steve entered the San Francisco Police Department on May 16, 1968, and was assigned to Star #1282. Steve worked the following assignments during his 31-year career: Richmond Police Station (October 28, 1968), Criminal Information Bureau (April 20, 1070), Taraval Police Station (January 1, 1975), and Steve’s final assignment was working as a Burglary Inspector (transferred to the Burglary Detail on March 28, 1978. Steve was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on December 12, 1979, and to the rank of Police Inspector on September 2, 1980. Steven George Wilhelm retired with a Service Pension on July 2, 1999.AWARDS: Officer Steve Wilhelm received a Captain’s Commendation for services rendered on Friday August 29, 1970. Steve conducted a painstaking investigation at the Identification Bureau as he examined numerous file records. Steve was able to identify the identity of a suspect who had just shot a woman and a Police Officer in Redwood City. Inspectors Steven G. Wilhelm, John P. Daly, and Kenneth R. Moses, with Officers David K. Suyehiro, Michael G. Gonzales, Mark C. Donzelli, Michael A. Mitchell, and Patrick R. Driscoll were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Thursday August 23, 1979. The above listed Inspectors and Officers utilized their expertise in crime investigation and evidence evaluation to bring about the apprehension and arrest of two suspects who had committed a series of burglaries, robberies, and rape and oral copulation. The suspects were also wanted in Georgia for murder and escape. One hundred thousand dollars in Jewelry and other property was recovered and identified as being stolen in hot prowl burglaries throughout San Franisco. Inspector Steven G. Wilhelm was awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for outstanding investigation. After being assigned to a burglary case in which the victim’s wallet containing his driver’s license and credit cards, Steve conducted an investigation. After a few days, Steve was able to recover the victim’s wallet and I.D. and observed that the driver’s license photo had been altered with a replacement photo. After extensive research, Steve was able to identify the suspect whose photo was placed on the victim’s driver’s license. Inspector Wilhelm investigated the suspects background which included his aliases, social security card, and driver’s license. Inspector Wilhem discovered that the suspect assumed 13 different identities and one as a Doctor. Inspector Wilhelm interviewed 30 different victim’s and witnesses and showed photo spreads. The suspect was identified in most of the cases. As a result of the investigation, the suspect was charged accordingly and charges of Welfare Fraud and violations of Social Security and the Department of Motor Vehicles were added. The suspect was convicted of all charges and sentenced to 6 years in Prison. Inspector Steven G. Wilhem was recognized for this outstanding investigation by being awarded with the Meritorious Conduct Award. Steve loved his time in the San Francisco Police Department especially the Officers he worked with. Steve always said the Police Department was a family. After retiring from the San Francisco Police Department, Steve went back to work with the Department as a part time Background Investigator. Steve worked in that capacity for ten years. Steve would always attend the Police Academy Graduation for all his recruits. If you are one of these Police Officers, know that Steve was proud of you, and would always ask how you were doing. Steve and Cheryll Boissevain, both widowed, met through a mutual friend in 2016. They married in 2020 and spent seven happy years traveling and spending time with family and friends. The Wilhelm family will always be grateful for the love, support, and strength that Cheryll and her family had for Steve. Steve is survived by his wife Cheryll; brother Roger (Sally) Wilhelm of Novato; two sons Doug (Karen) Wilhelm of Novato; Chris (Angela) Wilhelm of Castro Valley; and two grandchildren Grant and Adelaide Wilhelm. Steve was preceded in death by his wife Susan of 47 years, and his beloved grandson Zachary. Steve was a husband, father, grandfather and a friend. His love, kindness, and heart of gold will live on through all of his family and friends and will be forever missed.
Kitt Crenshaw: On December 9, 2023, family and friends of deceased member retired Commander Kitt Crenshaw met in Maui, Hawaii for an ocean-side sprinkling of his ashes into the Pacific Ocean. Kitt had expressed his to his wife and others that he wanted his ashes to be sprinkled into the ocean in Maui. Maui is the destination that he and his wife visited every December. Prior to the sprinkling a Hawaiian Ceremony was conducted at the Pink Paddle Canoe rental facility. Family members rowed a canoe onto the Pacific Ocean where Kitts ashes were sprinkled into the ocean by his wife while friends observed from the shore and tossed flower pedals into the ocean.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: Per our nominations and vote, the WOAA Board positions for 2024 are as follows: we will be guided in the new year by President Ryan Walsh, Vice President Leroy Lindo, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor; Trustees Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard, Rob Forneris, and our new Past President Lou Barberini who will assume the vacant Trustee seat. Sally Foster remains as our Administrative Assistant.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Lou Barberini led our Board in a moment of silence for the passing of Bill Wakefield, and for all our deceased members. President Barberini scheduled our next meeting on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at 1130 hours on Zoom technology.
To All Members: Members can obtain new beneficiary forms through our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the Resource Box on our face page and follow the link. Print out the form with all the requested information and send it to us at WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. Please inform me for any change in your residence address. If a retired member moves their residence without informing us, our bill and any mail we send will not be delivered. Failure to inform us can lead to suspension and separation from the WOAA. We want to retain your membership so please keep us updated. Each month, we acknowledge the assistance and efforts of those who support the WOAA to bring our members the best customer service possible: Paul Chignell, retired San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Captain and the defense administrator of the San Franciso Police Officers Association (SFPOA); retired SFPD Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email, Rene LaPrevotte; retired SFPD Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal, Ray Shine; David Ng of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commissioners Office. Thank you all, and have a Happy Holiday season.