The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday February 14, 2023, on Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Louis Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard, Rob Forneris, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Secretary Mark McDonough was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the minutes from our January. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: No applications, suspensions, or reinstatements.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud to the Board, our monthly bills and beneficiary claims by the beneficiaries of our members who have recently passed away. The families of recently passed members Peter Buckley, Jay Holle, Ed McDonough, and Jan McKay contacted us for the death benefit. President Barberini made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills and the beneficiary claims. Trustee Maureen Leonard seconded the motion. The motion passed. The WOAA receives donations in the name and honor of deceased members. Their generosity is greatly appreciated by the WOAA board and our members. I do acknowledge our generous donors but occasionally miss a donation. We received a $100 donation from Carol J. Hagopian in the name and honor of Ken Foss. Carol’s father, Richard Kazarian, was a Radio Car partner, and personal friend of Ken Foss. We thank Carol for her generosity and remembering Ken who passed away on December 28, 2020.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the following members who have passed away:
Terrance M. Collins, age 76: Terrance Marc “Terry” Collins was born in San Francisco on April 24, 1946, to Edmund and Rita Collins. Terry went on to serve his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War followed by 27 years of service in the San Franciso Police Department. Terry attended and graduated from St. Ann’s Catholic Grammar School, and Abraham Lincoln High School. Terrance Collins entered the San Francisco Police Department on February 14, 1972. Terry wore Star #2004 and worked the following assignments during his 27 plus year career: Ingleside Police Station (May 28, 1972), Central Police Station (November 19, 1973), PT&D DP (February 13, 1985), Taraval Police Station (October 31, 1985), Communications (March 8, 1986), Potrero Police Station (June 24, 1989), Operations Center (June 5, 1991), Warrants (February 27, 1993), Permits (March 14, 1994), Support Services (August 30, 1997). Terry retired with a Service Pension on July 16, 1999. AWARDS: Officer Terrance Collins was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Sunday November 23, 1980, at 2138 hours. Terry was on foot patrol on the 1300 block of Irving Street when he observed a burning building and flames reaching 30 feet in height from the building at 1295 15th Avenue. Tenants were fleeing the building and informed Officer Collins that an elderly woman was trapped in her apartment on the 3rd floor. Officer Collins, with disregard for own safety ran into the burning structure and responded to the 3rd floor. Collins called out to the elderly woman but there was no answer. As Officer Collins was trying to locate the elderly woman an intense blast occurred and due to the increase in heat and smoke Officer Collins was forced to leave the building. The woman perished in the fire, but Officer Terrance Collins exhibited bravery in an attempt to save a life, at the expense of his own safety and life. Terry was blessed by the devoted attention of his son Brian, daughter in law Diane and loving grandchildren Bailey and Brandon. He is also survived by his sister Christine who along with his best friends Patrick and Nancy Boyle helped Terry with the challenges brought on by his Parkinson’s Disease. Terry passed away on January 6, 2023 at his home in South San Francisco.
Kenneth Lui, age 66: Kenneth S.C. Lui passed away on Thursday January 26, 2023. Ken was born in Hong Kong, China and immigrated to San Francisco, CA in 1959, and became a United States citizen in 1963. Ken graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco, and continued his education at the City College of San Francisco where he earned certification in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Ken was a tow-truck driver while attending College. Kenneth S.C. Lui entered the San Francisco Police Department on November 16, 1981 as a member of the 147th Academy Class, and wore Star #1326. Ken worked the following assignments during 27 plus year career: Northern Police Station ( March 14, 1982), Southern Police Station (June 23, 1982), Field Operations (July 27, 1983), Southern Police Station (April 24, 2000), Support Services (November 2, 2006). Ken retired on April 24, 2008 with a Service Retirement. Ken is survived by his wife Wendy Hogle-Lui, son Kenneth Lui Jr., his daughter Lauren Beaty (Richard), his daughter Lyndsey Velez Pina (Felix), his son Garrett Lui, 4 grandchildren, his sister Merle Gee, brothers Phillip and Collin Lui, and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Ken loved music, Martial Arts, German Shepherd dogs, and cars. Ken was teaching Martial Arts to his son Garret and his grandchildren. Ken loved traveling, swimming and camping with his family.
Janice R. McKay, age 75: Janice L. (Raabe) McKay was born in Vallejo, California to Ernie and Kathleen McKay. The family moved to San Francisco where Jan and her sisters Beverly and Kathleen attended St.Emydius Catholic Grammar School, and later graduated from the Star of the Sea Academy. Jan attended the City of College of San Francisco and worked for Wells Fargo and Greyhound. Jan began her Law Enforcement career by joining the San Francisco Sheriffs Department. Jan switched to working as a Meter Maid (Checker) for the San Francisco Police Department prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Jan entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 28, 1971, wore Star #841, and worked the following assignments during her 30 year career: Narcotics (December 5, 1971), Internal Affairs (December 30, 1971), Narcotics (January 9, 1972), Personnel (January 21, 1973), BCI Communications (April 17, 1974), Patrol Bureau (November 13, 1974), BCI (September 21, 1975), Juvenile Bureau (November 23, 1975), Personnel and Training (May 7, 1980), Backgrounds (February 3, 1986), Sex Crimes (May 2, 1987), Investigations (July 13, 1996, promoted to the rank of Q-35 Police Inspector on January 30, 1995). Jan retired with a Service Pension on September 3, 2001. During her career, Jan married fellow San Francisco Police Officer Jack McKay in 1976 and were married for 27 years. Jack passed away in 2003. From her marriage to Jack, Jan has a step-daughter Laura, 2 grandchildren Derek and Rachel and a great grandson Austin. Jan’s passion was traveling and taking gambling trips. Jan had a unique sense of humor and will be missed by all her family and friends.
Robert “Rich” Safley, age 86: Richard Robert Safley was born on January 10, 1937 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in San Francisco. Rich was born to parents Leonard Safely (San Francisco Fire Department Captain), and Irene Safley (Murphy). Rich grew up in the Mission District with his parents and 7 other siblings. Richard attended Balboa High School and was the place kicker on the Football team. Rich graduated from Balboa High in 1954 and went on to attend the City College of San Francisco. Rich completed his certificate in Criminology in June of 1957.Rich joined the United States Army in July of 1959 and served as a battle Tank Commander. Rich, while stationed in Germany, was a member of the Munich Spartans Football team. Rich would later coach kids for the Pop Warner Football program in San Francisco. Rich was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on September 30, 1963. Rich married Jaqueline Regh on December 2, 1961. They were married for 61 years and had 3 children, Barry, Leslie, and Ken. His children are his most treasured legacy. Rich also cherished the many Canine members of their family. Richard Safley entered the San Franciso Police Department on January 18, 1960. Rich wore Star #62 and worked the following assignments during his 30 year career: Taraval Police Station (April 11, 1960), Potrero Police Station (February 5, 1961), Mission Police Station (February 13, 1962), Northern Police Station (August 23, 1978), Rich was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on June 4, 1979 and was transferred to Mission Police Station (September 5, 1979), Northern Police Station (February 13, 1980), Southern Police Station (September 23, 1983, Northern Police Station (October 24, 1983), Park Police Station (March 8, 1986), Rich Safley retired with a Service Pension on July 20, 1990. After retirement, Rich worked for Kaiser Hospital and for the Pinkerton Security Agency. He spent the last 25 years of his life traveling all over the world with Jaqueline. Rich was preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Irene, his 3 sisters and his 3 brothers. Rich passed away on January 26, 2923 surrounded by his beloved family, at age 86. AWARDS: Officer Rich Safley, with Sgt. Charles Fowlie were awarded a 3rd Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on April 16, 1966. Safley and Fowlie responded to a call of a man shooting at people in the street (no location documented in the medal report). Safley and Fowlie arrived and approached the suspect who attempted to draw his firearm from pants. Safley and Fowlie rushed the suspect and subdued him in a struggle. Safely and Fowlie disarmed the suspect and placed him under arrest.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: The WOAA Board will meet in April for a dinner meeting. We will thank Rob Forneris for his exemplary service and leadership as our Board President during the 2022 year.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Barberini led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our recent and all WOAA passed members.
To All Members: Members can access a new beneficiary form from our website sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on Resources on our face page and follow the link. Please complete the form and mail it to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. Please contact us at 415 681-3660. The WOAA receives assistance and support from the following people; Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator of the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell; Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal, Ray Shine; David Ng of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commissioners Office. We at the WOAA Board thank the named people above for all their support and assistance.