March 2021 Minutes

The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting, via Zoom technology, on Tuesday March 9, 2021.

Roll Call: President Allyn Luenow, Vice President Rob Forneris, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Louis Barberini, Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, and Jim O’Meara, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to accept the minutes from our February 2021 meeting. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Trustee Ray Kane responded to the San Francisco Police Academy this month to present our membership to the 272nd Recruit Class. The bad news is that he was only able to sign up ten members. The good news is that there were only ten class members remaining. Ray signed up all ten. Of course, having only ten class members left is not good news for the City of San Francisco. There were no suspensions or reinstatements, however, after March 31, 2021, the following WOAA members will be suspended if we do not receive their dues payment (A denotes active in the SFPD): Jose Andrade, Colby Austin, Jeffrey Barry, Christian Bowman (A), Glenn Brakel (A), Andrew Bryant, Todd Burks, Ken Canedo, Alvin Chan,  Telma Chicas Miranda (A), Justin Clayton, Gabrielle Colby, Louis Colzani, David Connell, Tim Connell, Michael Davis II, Herman Diggs, Barbara Dullea (A), Scott Dumont,  George Ferraez, Karen Ferretti, Emily Fields, Adam Foltz, Thomas Gerard, Deborah Gizdich, John Grabbe, Anthony Graziano, Oliver Guernsey, Anthony Halligan, Thomas Haymond,  Micah Hope, Tom Jankovic, Darius Jones, Joo Han Kim, Gavin Kundert, Steven Y. Lee, Elia Lewin-Tankel, Candiece Lewis, Stephanie Long, Thomas Lyons (A), Meghan Macaulay,  Lucas Malatesta, Ralph Mannina, Joseph Mason,  Milanda Moore, Robert Moore, Nicklos Navarra, Jeffrey Ospital, Carlos Padilla II,  David Raney, Seth Riskin, Mark Roan, Eric Robinson, Mazi Sadiki (A),  Dennis Schardt, Edward Schuldt, John Talley, Josh Tiumalu (A), Andy Ting, Chad Tomasulo-Campos, Ryan Vail, William Van Laak, James White, Alfred K. Wong, and Edward Yu. We apologize to any member who has sent in their payment while this article was being printed.  Suspensions will be ordered by President Luenow at our April 13, 2021 meeting. We are pleased to report that we have had a significant increase in automatic payments and pay pal payments from retirees, which reduces our mailing cost. The flip side of this positive is that with  as of this writing, we have approximately 65 members who have not paid their dues. Sally Foster, our Administrative Assistant, not only mails the bills to members, she also sends a second notice in March to the members who have not paid their dues. Sally updates our data base with any changes to our members contact information, and yet, we still have bills that are returned. We ask for assistance in locating the lost members, and we conduct public record searches.  There are simply no other steps we can take to find members who have moved their residence or mailing address. We ask for members to provide us with any contact changes. Upon any suspension, our hunt begins to find the members who have not informed us of their new address. Each year we experience a group of members who have not moved their address, and who either disposed of their bill, set it aside and forgot to pay us, or did not receive it in the mail. We have experienced an increase of members who have either voluntarily left the San Francisco Police Department, or left under unfortunate circumstances. Those members had been paying dues from their paychecks and now must be billed through the mail. Some of those members transferred to other Law Enforcement agencies and change their address. Any active member who is on suspension or leave in January, do not have their dues removed because of their status. We must find them and bill them.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the bills and beneficiary claims. Costs include a new computer for our Treasury Department to store records of member payments, investments, individual member files, and archive data. This month’s bills also include the cost of mailing bills to retired members (including a second notice to the unpaid members). The beneficiaries of passed members Steve Driskoll, Frank Gau, Joe Lordan, Prentice Sanders, Victor Silveira, and Jim Skinner contacted the WOAA to process the benefit.  Vice President Rob Forneris made a motion to pay the outstanding bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Ryan Walsh   seconded the motion. The motion passed,.
Report of Visiting Committee: Due to Covid restrictions, there were no memorial service visitations.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of our following members:
Ronald Dinslage, age 73: Ron Dinslage was born on March 9, 1947.  I received limited information about Ron Dinslage. My information hereby lists Ron’s assignments: Mission Station and the Field Operations Bureau. I learned Ron also worked at Potrero Police Station, the General Work Detail, and the Fugitive Detail. Ron retired on August 28, 2008.
Awards: Ron and Robert McMillan were awarded with Bronze Medals of Valor for services rendered on July 8, 1980, at !0:15pm. While on patrol with his partner Robert McMillan, the Officers were in the vicinity of the Valencia Gardens in the Mission District. They recognized a wanted felon from SFPD Poster #80-39, for three counts of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault, and for jumping bail. Dinslage and McMillan confronted the suspect who pulled out a semi-automatic weapon, chambered a round, and pointed it at the Officers. The Officers took cover and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect finally dropped his gun and was taken into custody, as was his wife who was also wanted, and on the same wanted Poster. Dinslage and McMillan were awarded another Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on November 14, 1980. Dinslage and McMillan apprehended an armed suspect who had committed numerous armed robberies of small businesses across the city. Dinslage and McMillian conducted a patient and thorough investigation of the robberies, identified the suspect, staked out the suspect’s premises, and confronted him as he exited his vehicle. Dinslage and McMillan were able to put the suspect in custody before he could pull his .38 caliber revolver from his waistband. Ron Dinslage, with partners Dale Allen Jr and Mark Mino were awarded with Bronze Medals of Valor for services rendered at 128 Venus Street on Thursday January 20, 1983. They had responded to a call of a man who was attempting suicide,  had chopped off one of his hands with an axe and locked himself in his bathroom. The Officers entered the premises and tried unsuccessfully to force the bathroom door open. The Officers knew that suspect was on the floor blocking the entrance, and observed blood in and about the room. The Officers were able to partially open the door and could see the suspect covered in blood with the axe in one hand and a three-foot tree saw positioned next to him. The suspect screamed that he wanted to die and would kill the Officers if they tried to stop him. Dinslage, Allen, and Mino were finally able to force the door open for entry. They entered and the suspect stood up, and swung the axe and tree saw at them. The Officers without using weapons were able to disarm the suspect and take him into custody for the medical personnel. The Officers risked serious injury in using physical force and agility to take the suspect in custody and were awarded with the Bronze Medal of Valor. Ron Dinslage, with partners Robert McMillan and Bill Coggan were awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for Outstanding Investigation for services rendered from early 1982 through August of 1982. The Officers used extraordinary investigation skills culminating in the arrests and convictions of six-armed robbery suspects. The suspects were responsible for the nylon stocking mask robberies of the Pay N Save, Parisian Bakery, Safeway, Cala Foods and McDonald’s. One of the suspects was later identified to be a suspect in a bank robbery. The Officers painstaking and diligent investigation led to the arrest of this dangerous and vicious gang.
Anthony “A.J.” Hartzer: Anthony J. Hartzer was born in San Francisco, California on August 1, 1952. Anthony graduated from Lincoln High School and went on the join the San Francisco Police Department on September 12, 1983, and was assigned Star #2182. Anthony worked the following assignments during his 15-year career: Police Academy (September 12. 1983), Central Police Station (January 22, 1984), Park Police Station (May 22, 1984), Parking and Traffic DP (November 14, 1984), Park Police Station (December 11, 1984). Anthony retired with a Disability Pension on May 18, 1998. Awards: Officer Hartzer was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 26, 1992. Anthony Hartzer with Officers Marco Desangles, Robert Miller, Jeremiah Buckley, Robert Clevidence, David Goff, Ann Mannix, Pierre Martinez, and Alejandro Verzosa performed their duties in an extraordinary, diligent, tenacious, professional, and courageous manner to capture two dangerous and desperate serial armed robbers. Hartzer and the named Officers conducted a superlative investigation leading to the capture of the suspects thereby ending their crime spree. The criminals were “made” on two other grocery store robberies and a bank robbery, thus making their conviction and prison sentences a virtual certainty. Anthony Hartzer was awarded with a Gold Medal of Valor for his services rendered at the Pine and Franklin Sniper Incident on November 13, 1994. This incident tragically claimed the life of Officer James Guelff who had acted heroically in his attempt to save lives. Initially, Officer Guelff responded to the scene on a call of a carjacking in progress. Guelff located the suspect hidden in the shadows near the carjacking location. The suspect, who had already shot one citizen, ambushed Officer Guelff with a 9MM Uzi type pistol. Officer Guelff returned fire striking the suspect twice in the leg. Officer Guelff then broadcasted the dangerous situation to fellow responding Officers and advised them to seek cover. Officer Guelff, already wounded, without looking for cover and concealment for himself, heroically responded to a citizen in distress at the scene and was once again fired upon by the suspect who subsequently held off other Officers with gunfire, who were attempting to rescue Officer Guelff. The Police Commission Report did not describe Officer Hartzer’s actions, however, I learned that Officer Hartzer had responded to the scene and positioned himself in a window overlooking the shooter below. A.J. fired numerous rounds from his 9mm service weapon hitting the suspect several times. However, the suspect’s body armor absorbed the rounds and prevented penetration. The suspect shooter rolled onto his side and fired numerous rounds from his AK-47 assault rifle at the window where A.J. Hartzer was positioned. A.J. had to duck down away from the window to avoid being hit with bullets. The numerous 7.62×39 rounds from the suspect’s AK-47 penetrated the wall where A.J. had taken cover. A.J. twice more exposed himself and exchanged pistol shots with the suspects assault rifle shots. Shortly thereafter, the suspect was mortally struck with a round from the rifle of a San Francisco Police Officer who had taken position at the scene to help the Officers who were under fire. There were numerous awards of bravery awarded to San Francisco Police Officers at this incident. Gold Medals of Valor were also awarded to Officers James Guelff, Patrick Burke, and Alfred Martinez, and Sergeants John Payne and Joseph Currie.
Tim Quan, age 72: Tim began his Law Enforcement career at the age of 29. He entered the San Francisco Police Department on December 13, 1977, wore star #1684, and worked the following assignments during his 32 year career: Vice Crimes (before being trained in the academy on December 13, 1977), Police Academy (January 23, 1978), Mission Police Station (May 21, 1978), Richmond Police Station (August 27, 1978), Northern Police Station FTO Program (December 27, 1978), Central Police Station FTO Program (March 25, 1980), Records DT File (June 27, 1980) Taraval Police Station (August 10, 1980). Tim retired with a service pension on May 29, 2009. Awards: Tim was awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Saturday May 3, 1980. Tim, with Sergeants Ross Spinner and Richard Weick, and Officers Anthony Fotinos and John Bourne responded to a fire at #14 Churchill. The Sergeants and Officers risking serious injury and death entered the building of flames and smoke. They had to make several trips in and out of the building as the fire intensified and they were able to escort 40 sleeping tenants to safety.  The Officers risked their own lives to save the 40 tenants and were awarded Bronze Medals of Valor. Officer Tim Quan with partner Richard Janese were awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Monday April 10, 1989 at 2212 21st Avenue. The Officers responded to a call of a suicidal male with a weapon. Quan and Janese arrived at the scene are met with the suspect’s father who informed them that his son had locked himself in the basement apartment, and said he had a gun. The Officers attempted to talk the suspect to come out when the suspect said he had a gun and was coming out. The Officers heard the sound of a magazine catch on a semi-automatic weapon. Quan and Janese pulled their service weapons and called a Code 33 via pic radio. After a tense standoff the Officers were able to talk the suspect out. The suspect came out with hands held high and was taken into custody. The Officers seized a loaded .22 caliber handgun with a 30-round clip, and a loaded .38 caliber revolver that were positioned on the bed. Tim Quan was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on October 17, 1989. After the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck San Francisco. Lt. Ronny Rhodes, with Officers Richard Janese, Joseph Finigan, Juanita Stockwell, Sherman Chu, Wade Bailey, Andrew Rolfes, Darcy Keller, and Tim Quan noticed that there was exterior damage to the Park Merced Towers and adjacent buildings. Lieutenant Ron Rhodes set up a Command Post. The Officers successfully evacuated several injured and aged Senior Citizens to safety and transported them subsequently to the Emergency Evacuation Center at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. Tim was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for being part of a team of Officers who reduced violent crime in the Oceanview area of the Taraval District. Sgt Andrew Blackwell supervised the team who used walking beats and a variety of methods to reduce crime. The effort started in February of 1993 and lasted for 6 months. Sergeants Blackwell and James Speros, and Officers Wade Bailey, James Blanson, John Bourne, Toney Chaplin, Richard Dellagostino, James Blanson, James Jackson, Richard Janese, John Lanfranchi, Warren Yee, William Clinton, Robert Steger and Tim Quan were awarded. Tim is survived by his wife Terri, and three children Candace, Terrance, and Cherlyn, and three grandchildren Mason, Olive, and Isla. Tim was born and raised in San Francisco, California and attended Jean Parker Elementary School, Marina Middle School, Galileo High School, and Laney College. Tim enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, trap shooting at the Pistol Range, nice cars, traveling, and listening to music.
James F. Skinner, Age 90: Jim Skinner was born in San Francisco, California on April 12, 1930. He was born to James Ferguson and Elizabeth Skinner. Jim had a dear sister Patricia Lee (Charles) who was born 5 years earlier. Jim was married for 58 years to the love of his life Concetta Milazzo (Connie) until her passing in 2011. During his high school years at Balboa High, Jim excelled in football, track, and basketball where he was the team captain. Jim served in the United States Navy from October 1, 1948 until his honorable discharge on September 17, 1952. Jim served in the San Francisco Police Department for 29 years, mostly at Mission Station, and retired as a Lieutenant. Jim also worked as a courier for the Bank of America after retiring from Law Enforcement.  Jim is listed as being a Postal Clerk prior to entering Law Enforcement. Jim Skinner joined the San Francisco Police Department June 8, 1953. Jim wore star #272 and worked at the following assignments during his 29 -year career: Taraval Police Station (July 20, 1953), Southern Police Station (October 19, 1959), Park Police Station (March 7, 1963), Mission Station Police Station (promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred on July 12, 1967),  Taraval Police Station (September 23, 1973), Mission Police Station (April 28, 1976), Richmond Police Station (promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred on July 19, 1978), Southern Police Station (January 24, 1980), and returned to Mission Police Station (January 25, 1981). Jim Skinner retired with a service pension on April 30, 1982. Awards: Jim Skinner was awarded with a Second Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on February 13, 1962. Officer Skinner and his partner Vince Giannini arrested an armed assailant at a Liquor Store. The suspect was armed with a butcher knife and was attempting to assault the store employee. Skinner and Giannini had to use force to disarm the assailant prior to putting him in custody.  Jim Skinner was awarded with a Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on February 22, 1963 for the arrest of a suspect who committed an armed robbery with a knife at a restaurant. Officer Jim Skinner and his partner Victor Giannini located the suspect sitting down at a nearby tavern. The Officers confronted the suspect and had to use force to disarm him before placing him in custody. After retirement: Jim enjoyed golfing and attending the celebrity tournaments at Pebble Beach. He was an avid arm-chair sports enthusiast as he would cheer-on the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers teams. His joy of reading brought him to many places and gave him hours of entertainment. His favorite genre was historical non-fiction literature. Jim had a “sweet tooth” and never refused a trip to See’s Candy (“the black and white store”) to buy his favorite selection, the scotchmallow. His visits to Virginia and Homestead to see family brought Jim much joy. He also spent time with his family in Lake Tahoe where he had fun at the Craps Tables and playing blackjack. Jim also loved playing Pinochle, Poker, and Pedro with family and friends. Many a family occasion ended with a game of cards (“31”) around the dining room table. Jim is survived by his three children Diane Petrakis (Jim), Nancy Pyle, (Matt Lagomarsino), and James Ferguson Skinner III (Becky) and six grandchildren; Sarah Meade, Laura Petrakis, Jenevieve Winkfield, (Jeremy), Patrick Pyle, Kristina Skinner and Kellie Forbes (Jack). Jim is survived by nine great-grandchildren with one on the way. Jim was survived by his sister Patricia Lee (Sis) who was his neighbor for many years. In 2020, she became his neighbor at The Trousdale. They looked out for each other and were always very close. Jim lived his life according to the motto “Everything in Moderation”.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Luenow led our Board in a moment of silence for our recent, and all of our  fallen members, past and present. President Luenow scheduled our next meeting, via Zoom technology, for Tuesday April 13, 2021, at 1200 hours.
To All Members: Members can access a new beneficiary form from our website sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the Resource Box and follow the link. If anyone has difficulty with this method, they can contact me at 415 681-3660. Please complete the form with all requested information. Mail the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. Each month we express our gratitude and say thank you to the following people who assist our efforts each month in providing the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator of the Police Officers Association, 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 POA Journal Ray Shine,  Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, David Ng of Personnel, and to the entire Traffic Solo Command who provide a location for our meeting and files.