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, Rob Forneris, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the minutes from our last meeting. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions or reinstatements. Trustee Ray Kane will respond to the San Francisco Police Academy to present our Organization and membership to the 277th Recruit Class.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented our monthly bills and the beneficiary claims from the families of Gary Constantine, Jay Holle, and Jim Murphy. Trustee Rob Forneris made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Secretary Mark McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Trustees: Bruce R. Fairbairn, age 69: Bruce R. Fairbairn was born on October 2, 1952. following assignments during his 28 year career: Park Police Station (December 2, 1984), Central Police Station (January 1, 1985), Park Police Station (March 3, 1985), Potrero Police Station (April 3, 1985), NET Golden Gate Division (August 3, 1987), Potrero Police Station (February 18, 1989), EEO (October 7, 1993), DVRU (Domestic Violence Unit) (June 15, 1996), Central Police Station (Inspector, January 10, 1999), DVRU (October 13, 2001), Special Investigations (August 30, 2003), HSU (November 1, 2008), Park Police Station (January 30, 2010, Airport Field Operations (April 9, 2010). Bruce was promoted the rank of Police Sergeant on October 7, 1993, and he was promoted the rank of permanent Police Inspector on October 22, 2003. AWARDS: Officers Bruce Fairbairn, Steve Bosshard, Robert Totah, and Warren Yee were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for service rendered on Friday March 20, 1987 when they responded to a fire at the Super Fair Market at 201 Leland Avenue and observed two men locked inside. The Officers broke out the glass door to the Market and removed the men from inside the burning building. The men told the Officers that their parents were still inside the building. The Officers entered the smoke-filled building and worked their way to the rear and found the elderly man and woman overcome with smoke inhalation. The Officers assisted the man and carried out the woman who was unable to walk. All occupants were treated by the San Francisco Fire Department and the Ambulance Paramedics. Officer Bruce Fairbairn was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 21, 1991. Fairbairn, with fellow Award recipients Captain Mike Yalon, Sergeants William Bush and Greg Lynch, and Officers John Denny, Vince Cantillon, Dan O’Shea, Phil McGee, Luis Hamilton, John Lanfranchi, Barry Weaver, Dean Sorgie, Michael Pawsey, Paul Swiatko, Richard Quesada, Steven Spranger, Dennis Costanzo, Lawrence Mahar, Joanne Lozenski, Michael Gonzales, Manuel Coreris and Michael Smith responded to a shooting at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium which was the location of the Martin Luther King Day celebration. Two youth groups inside had clashed resulting in the shooting and death of one juvenile. The above named Officers combined their efforts to handle a hostile crowd of over 3,000 people at the Train Station. The Officers team work resulted in the arrest of several perpetrators of armed robbery, and the seizure of stolen property and loaded firearms. The team also obtained incriminating statements from witnesses which resulted in the successful prosecution of armed robbery and other pending charges on the suspects.
Edward Bryan McDonough, age 81: Edward “Eddie” Bryan McDonough was born in San Francisco in 1941. Ed graduated from Balboa High School and was a Street Cleaner until he joined the San Francisco Police Department on February 16, 1969, Ed wore Star #1993 and worked the following assignments during his 25 year career: Potrero Police Station (September 8, 1969), City Prison (May 16, 1971), Northern Police Station (May 23, 1978), Muni Transit (March 10, 1980), Property Control (June 6, 1992), Records (July 17, 1992). Ed retired with a service pension on December 20, 1994. Awards: Ed was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation with Officers Brian Ogawa, Sam Lacabanne and Vince Profaca for working as a team in the ant- pickpocket detail that spanned several months and resulted in 11 arrests of pick pocket suspects, 15 assorted felonies, and 44 misdemeanors while in assigned to the Muni Transit Detail. Ed was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor on December 29, 1970 while assigned at Potrero Police Station, however, I was unable to receive information on the incident.
Andrew Eisler Stoeppelwerth, age 82: Andy was born in San Francisco on December 12, 1939. Andy was a graduate of Balboa High School. Andy entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 2, 1969 after working as a sheet metal worker. Andy wore Star #1203 and worked the following assignments during his 28- year career: Potrero Police Station (January 2, 1970), Ingleside Police Station (December 5, 1971), Richmond Police Station (October 4, 1972), and Potrero Police Station (August 5, 1973) where Andy remained until his Service Retirement on September 19, 1997.AWARDS: Officers Andrew Stoeppelwerth, Charlie Coats, Michael Ferrier, and Loyce Tucker were awarded a Police Commission Commendation for the apprehension and arrest of two suspects who had kidnapped and raped two girls, one of the girls died from the assault. Andy was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on April 23, 1971. Andy was working as a teller in the Bank of America in an off-duty capacity. Andy was alerted to a bank robbery suspect who had just robbed one of the tellers and was armed with a shotgun. Andy arrested the suspect without incident. Officers Andrew Stoeppelwerth, Michael Travis, Allan Duncan, and Richard Huddleston were awarded Silver Medals for Valor. On Thursday November 29, 1973, the Officers responded to a call of a “shots fired” at 1234 Revere Street. The Officers exited their vehicles and heard screaming from inside the building. The Officers entered the building and observed the suspect to be armed with a shotgun and had just shot two people and was now wrestling with a third person. The Officers announced their presence and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect ignored the commands resulting in the Officers to physically disarm the suspect and place him in custody. Officers Andrew Stoeppelwerth and David Brown were awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Friday July 30, 1976. Officers Andrew Stoeppelwerth, having knowledge that the suspect had shot two people arrived and heard screaming inside the building. The Officers observed the suspect wrestling with a 3rd victim while still armed with a shotgun. The Officers ordered the suspect to stop and drop the weapon. The suspect continued his assault and the Officers rushed in and physically disarmed the suspect and effected the arrest. or services rendered on Thursday November 9, 1978 at a call of shots fired at 1234 Revere Street. The Officers They responded to a call of a man armed with a shotgun at 4301 3rd Street holding 12 hostages. They received information that the suspect had previously shot holes in the wall at two addresses on Colby Street. The Officers arrived and observed the suspect holding the shotgun in front of the building while sitting at a table. The Officers ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect pointed the shotgun at each Officer back and forth and then stood up and walked toward the Officers. The Officers rushed the suspect and disarmed him. The suspect was placed under arrest. On November 7. 1980 Officer Stoeppelwerth responded to a call of an armed robbery at Hibernia Bank at 4600 Mission Street at 1210 hours. Andy realized that the suspects, who had escaped in a 1974 Cadillac might be traveling in his direction in the Potrero District. Stoeppelwerth, at 1300 hours observed the suspects driving in the get-away car at Van Dyke and Ingalls Street. Andy effected a felony traffic stop, and arrested the suspects, while recovering $3,641.55. Officers Andrew Stoeppelwerth, Guillermo Amigo, Lee Dahlberg, Reserve Officer Michael Siote, with Sgt. Thomas Del Torre and Lt. John Madden were all awarded with the Gold Medal of Valor. The Officers responded to a call of shots fired at 870 Market Street on October 23, 1990 at 1245 hours. Officer Dahlberg arrived first and located a gunshot victim on the 6th floor. Dahlberg began CPR immediately while Siote searched for witnesses and the suspect. The other named Officers arrived and located the suspect on the 3rd floor. Officer Jimmy Jean, who was not listed in this Police Commission report was on scene as he was working with Stoeppelwerth. The suspect walked toward the Officers and then pulled a handgun from his pants pocket and began shooting at the Officers. The Officers took cover and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. The suspect stopped at room 357 and broke the glass to enter. Lt. Madden knowing the suspect had already shot one person believed the suspect would enter room 357 and shoot other victims. Lt. Madden planned to disable the suspect and ordered Stoeppelwerth to shoot the suspect in the leg. Officer Stoepplewerth shot the suspect in his right leg. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the Officers, the suspect had a prosthetic right leg. Uninjured, the suspect then fired twice hitting Lt. Madden in the left knee. Dahlberg and Del Torre dragged Madden to cover. All Officers fired upon the suspect killing him. Andy loved classic cars and hot rods and frequently attended car shows with his friends. Andy drove to San Francisco from his home in Petaluma on Wednesday to meet his former retired co-workers, and attended retirement breakfast events at Marvin’s in Petaluma. Andy will be missed by his three dogs Norton, Pepper, and Toto. Lorine, Andy’s love of his life, stated that Andy was a loving husband and father and will be missed by all who knew him.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Lou Barberini led the 2023 WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our recent and all past member who passed away. President Barberini adjourned the meeting and scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday February 14, 2023. Our meeting will be held at 1200 hours on Zoom technology.
To All Members: Any member in need of new beneficiary form can obtain a form using our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the resources box on our face page and follow the link. Members may also contact Secretary Mark McDonough at 415 681-9330 and request a form to be mailed, and request their current listed beneficiary. We bestow our monthly gratitude by thanking the following people who assist our efforts to provide the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator for the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell, retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper that reaches thousands of retired and current Officers, 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 San Francisco Police Commission Office.
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