The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Thursday May 16, 2024, at the Italian Athletic Club 1630 Stockton Street in San Francisco at 1700 hours. An honorary dinner followed the meeting for our 2023 President Louis Barberini.
Roll Call: President Ryan Walsh, Vice President Leroy Lindo, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Ray Kane, Rob Forneris, and Lou Barberini. Trustees Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept last month’s minutes. Trustee Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions and Reinstatements: Trustee Ray Kane responded to the San Francisco Police Academy and presented our membership to Recruit Class #281. Ray signed up all 15 members of the class. Secretary Mark McDonough made a motion to accept all signees at temporary members of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association. Vice President Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed. Congratulations to the new 15 temporary members who will become permanent members after passing their probation phase in the San Francisco Police Department. Reinstatements: Secretary Mark McDonough made a motion to reinstate all the suspended members who paid their dues and late fees. Trustee Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The following suspended members were reinstated by President Ryan Walsh: Michelle Alvis, Nicholas Bettencourt, Cristina Busalacchi, Ken Canedo, Marina Chacon, Steve Ford, George Ferraez, David Garcia, Steve Harris, Pam Hofsass, Rafael Labutan, Anthony Montoya, Andrew Sargenti, and Shaughan Ryan. Al Melendez paid his dues on time and was suspended on our error. Our apologies to Al Melendez. Al Melendez did not need to be reinstated.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor reported the beneficiary claims of the families of passed members Theodore Schlink, Robert Seghy, and Thomas Vellone. Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills and the listed beneficiary claims. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of our following member:
Lionel T. Hess, age 89: Lionel Thomas Hess, age 89, passed away after a brief illness on April 19, 2024. Lionel was born on July 11, 1934 in Hollywood, California to Magdalen and John Hess. Lionel lived with his mother and grandmother in San Francisco at age 3, and spent summers in Los Angeles with his father who was an L.A. Firefighter. Lionel was a curious child who roamed the streets of San Francisco and frequently spent time visiting the local Police Stations. Lionel’s “hanging out” at the Police Stations was a beginning of his dedication and career in Law Enforcement. Growing up, Lionel was a member of the Boy Scouts and the Sea Scouts. At age 17, with a growing disinterest in high school, Lionel joined the United States Marines with his mother’s signature of approval. As a Marine, Lionel was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, and in Japan. Lionel famously, or infamously depending on who you ask, found trouble in Kodiak, Alaska for stealing a Jeep. Lionel denied the theft stating that he drove the Jeep to an off-limits location. That story is part of the Lionel Hess Charm. After his discharge from the Marines, Lionel returned to San Francisco and began classes at City College of San Francisco while working nights as a Railroad Police Officer. His ambition was to be a Police Officer for the San Francisco Police Department. While in the school cafeteria, while drinking coffee as he often did, he met Helen his future wife. He knew other ladies in the school Sorority who considered Lionel to be a gentleman. Helen and Lionel began dating and there were stories of Helen riding side saddle in Lionel’s scooter to dinner dates. Lionel and Helen married on May 22, 1960 at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in the North Beach section of San Francisco. The following year Helen and Lionel welcomed their first child and daughter Nadine to the world. The following years saw the birth of two more daughters Natalie and Nissa to complete the family Unit. The Hess family lived in Marin and Sonoma Counties and all three Hess girls proudly graduated from Sonoma State University. Lionel worked for the San Francisco Police Department in a variety of roles including “Tac” (Swat Team), the Motorcycle Traffic Unit (Solo), and worked undercover as well. Lionel retired on his 50th birthday at the rank of Lieutenant. He had adventures on the job and one adventure the spoke of was his Lombard Taxi ride. Lionel was in the trunk of a taxi being used in an undercover stakeout. Lionel’s partner was driving the taxi and knowing Lionel’s fondness for a good joke and easygoing nature, took Lionel down Lombard Street with Lionel cursing all the way as the taxi took turns and bumps causing Lionel to be tossed around in the trunk. If that were to happen today my best guess regarding the outcome would be the Taxi being reported, the driver cited for reckless driving, with Lionel and his partner Departmentally charged with conduct unbecoming an Officer. Lionel was well liked by his fellow Officers and had a reputation for being a nice guy, a good boss, and having calm under pressure. Lionel was a member of the MMOC and a past club director, a 60-year member of the American Legion Post #0456, Police and Fire. In the 1970’s signed up as a Coast Guard Reserve at age 60, and was a hobbyist private pilot in his spare time. In his retirement he and Helen traveled taking several trips and Cruises to Europe and the Maldives. Lionel loved spending time with his family and with his grandchildren. And of course, the coffee… and make it blacker than a Sergeant’s Heart, Lionel would say. Lionel is survived by his much-loved wife of 64 years, Helen, and his three daughters Nadine Hess, Natalie Collins (John), and two grandchildren C.E. Collins and Jack Collins. Lionel Thomas Hess joined the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 1957 and wore Star #459. Lionel worked the following assignments during his 27-year career: Central Police Station (September 23, 1957), Richmond Police Station (May 19, 1958), Potrero Police Station (February 23, 1959), Central Police Station (September 5, 1965), Traffic Solo Motorcycle Unit (May 1, 1967), Potrero Police Station (promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and transferred on July 12, 1967), Mission Police Station (March 17, 1971), Crime Prevention (December 5, 1971), Co.K Solo Motorcycle Unit (August 1, 1973), Crime Specific Task Force (CSTF) (January 24, 1976), Co.K Solo Motorcycle Unit (July 1, 1976), Crime Specific Task Force )CSTF) (March 7, 1977), Co.K Motorcycle Unit (March 23, 1977), Ingleside Police Station (promoted to the rank of NCS Police Lieutenant and transferred on February 8, 1979), Southern Police Station (July 15, 1979), Crime Specific Task Force (CSTF) ( September 5, 1979), Southern Police Station (October 1, 1980). Lionel retired with a Service Pension on July 11, 1984. Awards: Lionel T. Hess was awarded six Department Medals of Valor during his career. The Medal of Valor transitioned from the “Grade” to a “Medal” during the time of its inception. I have attempted to learn the history of the Department Awards and the circumstances that were involved to create this system of performance recognition. I continue my quest at the time of this writing as my early inquiries were unsuccessful. I welcome any member, or non-member to contact me with any helpful information. I document our member’s awards with information received from the San Francisco Police Commission. Award incidents are documented by the Police Commission based on applications received. Much like a Police Report, Award incidents can be specific and detailed, or they can be short and vague. Lionel’s Awards appear to be short and devoid of specifics. I consider this to be unfortunate. Either the application lacked depth and details, or the person preparing the Award for the Commission scaled down the incident. Officer Lionel T. Hess, with Officers Harry J. Rice, Michael T. Sugrue, Lee A. McVeigh, William H. Hollings Jr., Raymond C. Krutt, and George R. Huegle Jr. were awarded with a 1st Grade Medal of Valor (now a Gold Medal) for services rendered on May 21, 1961. Hess and the above listed Officers combined their efforts to arrest a suspect who had kidnapped a 19-year-old girl and fired his weapon at the Officers in an attempt to evade being captured and arrested. The Officers returned fire and were successful in taking the suspect in custody. During the suspect’s firearm assault on the Officers, the victim was able to flee the suspect’s vehicle but was struck in the leg by one of the suspect’s bullets. Officer Lionel T. Hess, with Officer Richard T. Randall were awarded with a 3rd Grade (Bronze) Medal of Valor for services rendered on March 21, 1963. Hess and Randall arrested an armed suspect who attempted to escape after he fired a shot and wounded a man during an argument. Hess and Randall pursued the suspect and took him into custody at gunpoint. Sergeant (for 10 days) Lionel T. Hess and Lieutenant Robert G. McFarland were awarded with a 3rd Grade (Bronze) Medal of Valor for services rendered on July 22, 1967. Hess and McFarland responded to a call of a man with a gun. They confronted the suspect who pointed a rifle at them. Hess and McFarland drew their service weapons and ordered the suspect to drop his rifle. After a considerable amount of hesitation, the suspect decided to comply and drop his rifle. However, the suspect violently resisted Hess and McFarland’s attempt to place him in custody. A struggle ensued and liquid chemical agent (then referred to as Mace) was used to overcome the suspect’s resistance and place him in custody. It was learned after the arrest that the suspect had attempted to murder his wife by shooting the rifle at her. Sergeant Lionel T. Hess, with Officers Robert J. Berry, Claude D. Grimes, and Mack Jones Jr. were awarded with a 3rd Grade (Bronze) Medal of Valor for services rendered on August 18, 1969. Hess, Berry, Grimes, and Jones Jr. responded to a call of a suspect who was wanted for an army robbery and the attempted murder of a Police officer. The suspect was spotted at the Crest Car Wash at Third and Arthur Streets. With a combined effort of conscientious teamwork, the Officers were able to accomplish the arrest of the suspect without injuries to the parties involved. Sgt Lionel T. Hess and Officer William B. Hemby were awarded with a 1st Grade (Gold) Medal of Valor for services rendered on Monday October 27, 1969. Hess and Hemby exhibited superb ingenuity in bringing about the capture and arrest of two suspects who had committed numerous Bread Truck robberies and had the capabilities of cold-blooded murder demonstrated by their attempt to shoot Officers at close range. Later, the Robbery Detail reported that the arrest of the suspects cleared 31-armed robbery cases. Sergeant Lionel T. Hess, and Officers Raymond V. Bosnich and Phillip O’Connor Bill were awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on February 21, 1973. While off-duty and enroute to their homes, Hess, Bosnich, and Bill observed an apartment building engulfed in flames. Hess, Bosnich, and Bill immediately entered the burning building fighting smoke and flames and risking their lives to carry numerous persons to safety.
Richard Moses, age 76: Richard Leslie Moses was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1947. Rich attended George Washington High School and San Francisco City College after the family moved to San Francisco. Rich played basketball for City College. Rich later enlisted in the United States Army where he promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne. Rich was deployed to Vietnam. A day after returning from Vietnam, he met his future wife Michele at a house party and they hit it off immediately. Soon thereafter Rich and Michele married. They had three sons, Stephen, Bryan, and Michael. Rich entered the San Francisco Police Department at the age of 23, on May 17, 1971. Rich was assigned to Star #248 and worked the following assignments during his 34-year career: Richmond Police Station (August 1, 1971), Park Police Station (June 17, 1973), Richmond Police Station (August 8, 1973), Gang Task Force (September 13, 1977), Intelligence (August 9, 1978, Rich was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on October 7, 1993), Gang Task Force (April 9, 1994), SID Special Investigations Division ( January 9, 1999, and promoted to the rank of Police Inspector on June 22, 2001). Rich retired with a Service Pension on June 30, 2005. Rich Moses passed away on May 10, 2024. During his career, Rich helped to pioneer the Asian Task Force where he solved a plethora of international organized crime cases that took him around the world to exotic locales. Rich traveled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Hawaii on his case work. He assisted in solving high profile cases such as the Golden Dragon Massacre of 1971. Off duty, Rich enjoyed playing golf and often shot in the 70’s. At home Rich loved solving expert level Sudoku, bird watching in his beautiful garden with his wife Michele, and playing cards and dice games with his children Stephen, Bryan, and Michael. Everyone loved his “cheesy” but good-natured humor, keen mind for trivia and history, and his easy-going affable nature. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Rich is survived by his wife Michele, and sons Stephen, Bryan, and Michael. Awards: Rich Moses garnered five San Francisco Police Department Awards for his performance during the following incidents: Officers Richard L. Moses and Lawrence M. Ryan were awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on Friday June 22, 1973 at 2017 hours responding to a call of “shots fired”. Moses and Ryan arrived at the scene (no location given in report) and were immediately fired upon by the suspect who was using a rifle with a telescopic sight. The suspect was firing his weapon from a second-floor window. Moses and Ryan were able to run into the building where they located the suspect who violently struggled. Moses and Ryan were able to overpower the suspect, place the suspect under arrest, and seize the rifle. This award was originally a Bronze Medal of Valor. The committee upgraded the award to a Silver Medal. Officer Richard L. Moses, with Sgt. Andrew V. Sekara, and Officers Joseph F. Engler, Cornelius (NMI) Nichols, Calvin L. Nutting, Lawrence M. Ryan, and David O. Stevenson were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Friday May 31, 1974 at 2219 hours when they took into custody three masked armed robbers who robbed a grocery store and three customers. The Officers also located and arrested the driver and get-away car. Officers Richard L. Moses and Robert J. Colligan were awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Wednesday March 31, 1976 (exactly two years after his Police Commission Commendation). Moses and Colligan, in a plainclothes assignment and driving an unmarked vehicle, were patrolling their area during the evening hours (no time or location on the Commission Report). Moses and Colligan observed three suspects exiting the Balboa Market at 7th and Balboa Streets. One suspect had a gun in his hand. As the three suspects began to enter their get-away vehicle, Officer Colligan shouted “Halt-Police”. Two of the three suspects entered the vehicle and sped off leaving the third armed suspect behind. The armed suspect turned and pointed his gun at the Officers and appeared ready to shoot. The suspect then dropped his gun to the pavement and surrendered. Officer Moses chased the suspect vehicle at a high rate of speed into Golden Gate Park where the suspects eventually abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. The two escaped suspects were later identified and arrested with arrest warrants. The three suspects were responsible for an armed robbery of the Balboa Market where they pistol-whipped three members of the Chinese family who operate the market. Officer Richard L. Moses, with Officers Benny Fong, Wayne S. Hom, and Willa M. Brown were awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Tuesday January 6, 1981, at 2330 hours. On this time and date, the Officers were in the vicinity of 935 Kearney Street. Officers Moses and Hom of the Gang Task Force were conversing with a man who stated he had been assaulted by a suspect who was subsequently arrested. The man stated he has been receiving threatening phone calls since the incident. Two suspects approached Hom, Moses and the complainant. Officers Brown and Fong were working in Uniform and patrolling the area drove up to the location and observed one of the approaching suspects to be holding a gun behind his back. Officers Fong and Brown now on foot shouted to Offices Moses and Hom of the armed suspect. The armed suspect pointed a gun at the Officers. Moses and Hom rushed the suspect, wrestled him to the ground as they disarmed him. The second unarmed suspect fled on foot. The Officers held their fire due to numerous innocent bystanders and physically subdued the suspect. They were awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor. Officer Richard L. Moses, with Officers Wayne Hom, Felix Thieu, and Jeremy Zatkin, and Inspector’s Leon J. Crouere, Daniel J. Foley, Richard M. Gamble, Calvin Nutting, and Timothy L. Simmons were awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for an Outstanding Investigation for services rendered between February 5, 1987 through July 4, 1987. The Officers and Inspectors combined their efforts due to a rash of residential armed robberies that have occurred in San Francisco and the East Bay. The crime spree was assigned to the Gang Task Force due to information that pointed to a Chinese Gang being responsible for the robberies. The victims in all the case were Chinese families. The individual cases were difficult to investigate in regard to the suspect description being young Chinese males wearing surgical gloves and bandanas covering their faces. Wealthy Chinese business families were targeted by the suspects. They would surprise their victims as they would leave or return to their homes. The hours varied from early morning to late at night making it difficult to predict a pattern. The suspects were always armed with guns and knives and they worked with precision rounding up all the family members including the elderly and the children. The suspects would tie-up their victims and cut the phone lines. The victims were terrorized during the robberies as the suspects would threaten them with murder and rape if they did not comply. The victims were so fearful that a few of the victims sold their home and relocated. The case had ramifications going beyond a normal investigation. The perpetrators were clever and ruthless individuals. The Officers involved in this investigation went beyond their normal parameters and traditional investigative techniques. They pursued every lead and coordinated their individual techniques with each other. Their devotion to this case was exemplary, and their investigation was innovative and diligent. For their efforts of solving this case, all name Officers and Inspectors named were awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for an Outstanding Investigation. Unfortunately, the report ends without explaining the arrest of the suspects and conclusion of the court case.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: The WOAA Board held their meeting on May 16, 2024 at the Italian-American Club on Stockton Street in San Francisco. The Board subsequently held their annual honorary dinner for last year’s past president, Lou Barberini. Lou’s attention to WOAA protocol made his transition to President “seamless”. The dinner was held at Firenze Restaurant in North Beach and was attended by our Board Members who attended the meeting, and three spouses.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Ryan Walsh led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for passed members Lionel Hess and Rich Moses, and for all our members who have passed over time. President Walsh scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday June 11, 2024 at 11:00am.
To All Members: WOAA members may access new beneficiary forms from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES on our face page and follow the link. Print out the form, please provide all the requested information, and obtain the signature of a notary, or a signature of one of our board members (see roll call for board members). Mail the form to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. Each month we acknowledge the following people who provide support and assistance to the WOAA and its members: 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 newspaper, Ray Shine; Maggie Wong of personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commission Office. Thank you all!
