The Board of the Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday October 10, 2023, at 1130 hours, via Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Lou Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor; Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Maureen Leonard were present. Administrative Assistant Sally Foster was present. Trustee Rob Forneris was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the September 2023 minutes. Vice President Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Application; Suspensions and Reinstatements: We have no new Applications or Suspensions this month. The following members have successfully applied for reinstatement. Kevin Needham and Greg Mar are again members in good standing. Our apologies to Greg Mar for our error. Trustee Lindo made a motion to accept both members and place them in good standing. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the bills and beneficiary claim for passed member Oli Hindahl. Secretary McDonough made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board was informed of the sad news of the passing of two of our members:
David E. Connell, age 98: David Edward Connell was born in San Francisco, California on September 5, 1925. David was employed as a Police Special prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department. David Connell entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 20-, 1953, at the age of 27. John was assigned to Star #1180, and worked the following assignments during his nearly 30- year career: Taraval Police Station (August 31, 1953), Mission Police Station (March 1, 1956), Southern Police Station (July 23, 1962), Richmond Police Station (promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred on February 20, 1969), Central Police Station (April 20, 1970), Southern Police Station (March 2, 1977), Mission Police Station (promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred on January 20, 1980). David Edward Connell retired with a disability pension on October 6, 1982. AWARDS: David E. Connell, with Sergeant Jeremiah P. Taylor, was awarded with a Second Grade (Silver) Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 21, 1961. Connell and Taylor responded to a call of an armed robbery of a grocery store clerk. They observed a man matching the description of the suspect, and exited their vehicle to give chase. They fired a warning shot over the suspect’s head. Connell and Taylor apprehended the suspect who confessed to the robbery and three additional robberies. David received numerous Captain’s Commendations for an Escaped Prisoner, Burglary, and several Robberies. Some which appeared to be possibly Medal worthy.
Dennis John Quinn, age 71: Dennis John Quinn was born in San Francisco, California on May 25, 1952. Dennis worked as a Dishwasher prior to his Law Enforcement career. Dennis entered the San Francisco Police Department on March 14, 1977, and was assigned to Star #1286 (later changed to #455). Dennis worked the following assignments during his 32-year career: Northern Police Station (July 3, 1977), Ingleside Police Station (October 9, 1977), Northern Police Station (January 2, 1980), P&T DP (October 8, 1980), Northern Police Station (October 22, 1980), Southern Police Station (June 30, 1990), Dennis was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on March 18, 1992, Police Academy (July 22, 2000). Awards: Officers Dennis J. Quinn, Dennis L. McCaffrey, Earl E. Wismer, Robert J. Wood, and Sergeant John Macaulay (Posthumously) were awarded with the Gold Medal of Valor for services rendered on Tuesday July 6, 1982. At approximately 1520 hours, Sgt. Macaulay was conducting an investigation of a man and a woman seated in a parked vehicle at 825 Van Ness Avenue. The vehicle had Alabama License Plates, and matched the description of a vehicle involved in a shoplifting/threats report a few days earlier. The suspect, in the shoplifting incident. was in possession of a firearm and had threatened people in the store parking lot. Sgt. Macaulay requested a backup. Officers McCaffrey and Wismer responded and arrived as the backup unit. Officer Wismer approached the passenger door of the vehicle and Sgt. Macaulay approached the Driver’s side. Macaulay ordered the male driver to exit the vehicle. The driver did not comply and Macaulay pulled him out of the vehicle and ordered the man to put his hands on top of the car. Suddenly the man pulled a chrome revolver from his person. Macaulay released his grip on the suspect and alerted the Officers of the suspect’s firearm. The suspect fired his weapon at Macaulay and Macaulay fired his service weapon at the suspect. Macaulay fell to the ground. The suspect also went down and continued firing his weapon at Macaulay and Wismer. Wismer fired six rounds at the suspect. The suspect rose from the ground to enter his vehicle. Officer McCaffrey positioned himself in front of the suspect vehicle and fired three rounds at the suspect. The suspect fired back at McCaffrey through the windshield. McCaffrey fired two more shots at the vehicle as it sped away northbound on Van Ness Avenue. Officer Wood had arrived during the physical struggle between Macaulay and the suspect, and fired six shots at the fleeing suspect in his vehicle. Officer Dennis Quinn had also arrived and immediately heard someone yell that the Sergeant has been shot. Officer Quinn fired four shots at the fleeing suspect vehicle, with 2 shots fired into the passenger side prior the vehicle speeding away. The fleeing vehicle was crippled from the Officers gunfire and came to a halt a few blocks away. The suspect shot and killed his female passenger who was revealed later to be his wife. The suspect then took his own life by shooting himself in the head. Officers McCaffrey, Quinn, Wismer and Wood, and Sgt. Macaulay displayed exceptional courage in their efforts to apprehend this vicious suspect. Sgt. John S. Macaulay did not survive and gave his life in a heroic effort to subdue this crazed gunman. The Officers bravery and courage under fire earned them the Department’s highest award, The Gold Medal of Valor. Officer Dennis Quinn, with Officer Jeff Roth, were awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Thursday August 2, 1984. At 1509 hours, Officers Quinn and Roth responded to a attempted suicide call at 351 Turk Street. The woman was on the 7th floor and was preparing to jump. Quinn and Roth observed that her apartment door was chained from the inside. Quinn and Roth were able to gain entry by using bolt cutters. Quinn and Roth spoke to the woman during their attempt to enter and attempted to persuade her to come inside. Quinn and Roth were able to enter and catch the woman who fell backwards they pulled her to safety. The woman was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Officers Dennis Quinn, Jere Williams, and Dennis McClellan were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on March 28, 1987 when they responded to a reported fire at 467 Turk St. Officers Quinn, Williams, and McClellan were able to evacuate all the building occupants including several that were elderly and disabled. Their quick response and organized procedure earned them the Police Commission Commendation. Sergeant Dennis Quinn, with Lt. Frank McDonagh, and Officers Terry Gan and Jason Sawyer were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on August 23, 1997. Quinn, McDonagh, Gan and Sawyer responded to a jumper call at the freeway ramp at 5th and Bryant Streets. Upon arrival they observed a man standing on the outside ledge of the freeway ramp approximately 35 feet from the ground. The man was yelling that he was going to jump and that he wanted to die. The man began to fall from the ledge leaning away and the Officers were able to grab him and struggle to keep him from falling. The struggle continued as they finally were able to pull the man over the railing to safety. The man was transported the San Francisco General Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Report of Special Committee: No Special Committee at this time.
Old Business: No report this month.
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 fallen
members David E. Connell and Dennis Quinn, and for all our members who have passed away in years past. President Barberini adjourned the meeting and scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday November 7, 2023, at 1130 hours, on Zoom technology.
To All Members: Members may access new beneficiary forms from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURECES on our face page and follow the link. Complete the form in its entirety and mail it to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94 913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. The website also offers several different options to pay yearly dues. The WOAA Board expresses their gratitude by thanking the following people who assist our efforts to give our members the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco 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, 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 Commissioner Office.
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