March 2023 Meeting Minutes

The Widows’ and Orphans; Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday March 14, 2023 via Zoom technology. The meeting commenced at 1200 hours.
Roll Call: President Lou Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Secretary Mark McDonough, Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Rob Forneris, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Trustee Maureen Leonard was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the minutes from last month’s January meeting. Secretary McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: The final day to pay dues prior to being suspended of all rights and privileges is March 31, 2023. Unpaid Members will be suspended on April 1, 2023, and will be reflected in the minutes of our April meeting. Currently the number of unpaid members is 130. Suspended members can pay their dues and late fees for reinstatement. Each month after April 1, 2023 is a $10 per month late fee. A fee of $25 is added for a filing fee. Suspended members who do not pay their dues and fines will be dropped from the Roll on December 31, 2023.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud our monthly bills and beneficiary claims. The beneficiaries of recently deceased members Peter Buckley, Jay Holle, Ken Lui, Edward McDonough, Jan McKay, and Richard Safely have applied for the benefit claim(s). Trustee Leroy Lindo made a motion to pay the bills and the beneficiary claims. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. The Summary Annual Report for 2022 is complete. I will send this report to any member who requests a copy. Please contact me by the listed email address or phone number listed below in the “To All Members” section at the bottom of this report.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: Last month Jan McKay was amongst our recently deceased members. I incorrectly listed her father as Ernie McKay. Jan’s father was Ernie Raabe.
This month, we received the sad news of passed members:
Jack Rodgers, age 87: Jack Rodgers was born on May 21, 1935, in Martins Ferry, Ohio. After graduating from High School, Jack moved to San Francisco to live with his mother. Jack graduated from San Francisco State University with an Accounting Degree. Jack had taken up body-building during this time. Jack learned that Accounting was not for him, and then decided to work his way around the world heading west. Months later, when he arrived in Germany he received a Western Union telegram that informed Jack that he was drafted into the United States Army. Jack returned to San Francisco for his basic training, and returned to Germany as a member of the U.S. Army. After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Jack joined the Sheriff’s Department and shortly thereafter, the San Francisco Police Department. Jack entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1964 and was assigned to Star #1194. Jack worked the following assignments during his 25 year career: Potrero Police Station (September 7, 1964), Mission Police Station (September 19, 1965), Taraval Police Station (July 1, 1970), Central Police Station (February 7, 1973), Operations (September 4, 1974), Narcotics Detail (November 1, 1974), Inspector’s Bureau (April 23, 1975), Narcotics Detail (August 1, 1976), Inspector’s Bureau (March 7, 1977), Co. K Traffic (April 6, 1977), Criminalistics/Photo Lab (June 25, 1980), Communications (November 16, 1983) Photo Lab (September 19, 1984), Jack retired with a Service Pension on April 30, 1989. Jack, when going through the process of entering the San Francisco Police Department, was 5’9 inches tall, just short of the 5’10 height requirement. Jack was brought in for measurement flat on a board by his future wrestling partner by the name of Philpott. Jack was able to meet the height requirement. Jack was to meet his future wife Pat (of 33 years) at the Communications Division, and worked a variety of assignments as a Sergeant/Inspector. Jack eventually worked as a Crime Scene photographer and worked his most difficult assignment on the Night Stalker case. After retirement Jack and Pat moved to Kailua, Hawaii and on the beautiful Island of Kona. Jack and Pat were able to have 2 homes built in Kailua. Jack continued his gym work every day. He and Pat loved to travel. A life well lived. Jack is survived by his wife Pat, stepson Brian Grider (Jennifer), and stepdaughter Ashley Grider, as well as four grand-girls- Jordin, Natalie, Isabell, and Madelyn.
Joseph Louis Weatherman, age 65: Joe Louis Weatherman entered the San Francisco Police Department on March 16, 1977 and was assigned to Star #974. Joe worked the following assignments during his 17-year career: Northern Police Station (October 29, 1978), Potrero Police Station (February 4, 1979), Central Police Station (October 21, 1981), Richmond Police Station (April 15, 1989), Mission Police Station (August 4, 1990), Auto Statis (May 10, 1991), M.I.S. (April 6, 1992), Records (February 27, 1993). Joseph Weatherman separated from the San Francisco Police Department on August 24, 1984. Awards: Officer Joseph Weatherman, with Officers Danilo Estimada, Maurice Edwards, Leonard Bell, Robert Barbero, Allen Yip, Mark Donzelli, Antonio Casillas, Michael Gonzales, Robert Springer, Leon Leow, Douglas Clennell, and Mario DiLorenzo, and Sgt. Isaac Henry were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on the morning of November 7, 1980. The above named Officers responded to a call of numerous “shots fired” in the immediate vicinity of 2183 Revere Street. The Officers combined their efforts to apprehend a Sniper who had plagued the lives of motorists and passengers along Highway 280 for several months. Located in a closet of the suspect’s premises was an AR-15 rifle, a gas mask, five boxes of .38 and .357 caliber ammunition, a, pair of binoculars, and a flashlight. Officer Joseph Weatherman was awarded with his 2nd Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Sunday March 29, 1981 at approximately 0510 hours. Joe apprehended four armed robbery suspects who had robbed the Sutter Hotel at 1800 Sutter Street, 20 minutes prior. Officer Weatherman also recovered the stolen money; the weapon used and confiscated a pair of illegal nanchaku sticks. Officer Joseph Weatherman, with Inspectors Thomas Tyrell, Dennis Schardt, James M. Chase, Robert Donsbach, and Officers Michael Norman, Charles Lofgren, James Colonico, Robert Armanino, and Mark Donzelli were awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Monday February 8, 1982 at 2330 hours. The above named Officers responded to a call of an arson in progress at 381 Turk Street. A hysterical female stated her boyfriend was inside threatening to set their apartment on fire. The Officers opened the apartment door and found the suspect on the floor attempting to start additional fires. The Officers placed the suspect in custody and escorted him outside to a radio car. The Officers then re-entered to evacuate other residents. During the rescue operation all of the floors were completely engulfed in smoke cutting off the Officers’ vision to almost nothing. With total disregard for their own safety, and almost to the point of being overcome by the fire, and trapped, the Officers continued to lead the tenants out of the building rescuing approximately 80 occupants, most of whom did not speak English. Officer Jospeh Weatherman was awarded with his second Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Tuesday May 8, 1982 at 0110 hours. Weatherman, with Officers James Guerrero and James Batchelor responded to a call of a man with a gun at 480 Geary Street #406. Upon arrival they met a woman who said the armed suspect was in her apartment and bragged that he recently committed an armed robbery and wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone. The Officers, taking necessary precautions and following proper procedures, knocked on the apartment door and stated “Police, open up”. As the door opened the Officers observed the suspect raise a blue steel revolver and fire a shot at them and then closed the door. The suspect again opened the door and stuck his revolver out, however, this time the Officers grabbed the suspect and pulled him out into the hall. A violent struggle ensued but the Officers were able to overtake the suspect and disarm him while placing him in custody. Officer Joseph Weatherman was awarded with his third Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Sunday February 20, 1983. Weatherman with Officers Richard Andrews, Mario Delgadillo, Daniel Mahoney, and Phillip Wong responded to a call of shots fired in the vicinity of 186 Francisco Street. The Officers responded to the location and were fired upon twice. The Officers then responded to Francisco and Midway to determine if the shots were coming from this location. Another shot was fired hitting the pavement near their position on the sidewalk. The Officers determined that the shots were coming from a rooftop on the 200 block of Francisco Street. Weatherman and Delgadillo went to the rooftop at 110 Pfeiffer Street and observed the suspect lying on a rooftop of 215 Francisco Street. They ordered the suspect to raise his hands which he did reluctantly. Weatherman and Delgadillo informed Andrews, Mahoney, and Wong. Andrews, Mahoney and Wong responded to 215 Francisco, gained entry, and responded to the roof to take the suspect into custody. The Officers seized Supershot .22 caliber pistol, one .45 caliber pistol, one .22 caliber silencer, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a considerable amount of Cocaine and Marijuana. Officer Joseph Weatherman was awarded with his third Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Monday July 4, 1983. Officer Weatherman was traveling westbound on the 500 block of Bay Street at 1840 hours when he was flagged down by a stopped motorist who informed him of a working fire two blocks away. Weatherman with Officers James Gratz, Laura Uhl, and Richard Vanwinkle responded to the burning building at 309 Bay street. The Officers led 2 occupants and 2 dogs to safety. The Officers, risking their own lives and safety, re-entered the building to ensure there were no other occupants. Officer Joseph Weatherman, with Officers John Colla, James Lassus, and Henry Parra Jr. were awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on Monday April 6, 1985 at 2247 hours. The Officers responded to a call of a man firing a gun at the Hof Brau Restaurant at 210 O’Farrell Street. Upon arrival two Officers entered the tavern area while the other two Officers entered the dining area. The suspect was located at the end of the horse shoe shaped bar. The employees and customers moved away from the immediate area of the armed suspect. The Officers, due to the configuration of the bar, were forced to face the suspect without being able to use cover. The suspect was ordered in English and Spanish to drop his gun which he had in his lap. The suspect ignored the Officers raised his cocked gun and pointed it at the Officers placing the Officers in great danger. The Officers fired their service weapons mortally wounding the suspect as he fell to the floor. The Officers stopped the threat without placing innocent bystanders at risk, while risking their own lives. Officer Joseph Weatherman was awarded with his third Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Sunday June 1, 1986. Officer Weatherman, with Officers Larry Gray, and Wayne Sato responded to 626 Powell Street #103 to investigate reports of a possible attempted suicide. The Officers arrived and detected a strong odor of gas and alerted the residents. They responded to apartment #103 and were unable to gain entry. The Officers forced their way inside and observed the occupant attempting to commit suicide by gas inhalation. The Officers engaged in a physical struggle with the occupant but were able to overcome his resistance, remove him and have him transported to San Francisco General Hospital, and also located the source of the escaping gas and shut if off. Officer Joseph Weatherman was awarded with his fourth Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Thursday April 23, 1987 at 1645 hours. Officers Weatherman and Larry Gray were informed of a large disturbance taking place at 55 Mason Street. Weatherman and Gray responded and separated the participants. The Officers were informed that one of the combatants promised to return armed and left the area. The Officers learned the suspect’s apartment number and responded to that location to confront the suspect. The Officers ordered the suspect to raise his hands. The suspect refused and made movements toward his waistband. Weatherman and Gray charged the suspect and engaged in a struggle. During the struggle and handgun fell from the suspect’s body concealment area. Weatherman and Gray subdued the suspect and placed him in custody. The Officers seized the firearm and an additional 5” fixed blade knife from the suspect’s pocket.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Unfinished Business: Past President Rob Forneris will be honored at a dinner gathering in April.
New Business: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to raise the benefit payout to $19,000. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The Trustees voted to raise the payout. The new death benefit is now $19,000.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Barberini led our Board in a moment of silence for our recently passed members. President Barberini adjourned the meeting and scheduled our next month meeting for Tuesday April 11, 2023, at 1200 hours. The meeting will be held on Zoom technology.
To All Members: Members can obtain a new beneficiary form from our website sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES and follow the link. Please complete the form including an email address. The form requires a signature from a Notary, or a Board Member. See the list of Board Members in Roll Call at the top of this report. I can be contacted by email Widowsorphans825@gmail.com, or by phone at 415 681-3660. Each month we express our gratitude to the following people who assists our efforts to bring you the finest customer service: Retired San Franciso Police Captain and the 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 Email which reaches thousands of Law Enforcement Officer, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal Newspaper, Ray Shine; David Ng of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commissioner’s Office.