The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Franciso Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday April 8, 2025 at 1100 hours, on Zoom.
Roll Call: President Leroy Lindo, Vice President Ray Kane, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard, Rob Forneris, Lou Barberini, Ryan Walsh, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to accept last month’s minutes. President Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: No new applications this month. The following members, by order of President Lindo per WOAA Constitution Article III, Section III are suspended from all rights and privileges for non-payment of our yearly dues in 2025: ACTIVE MEMBERS: Destiny R. Andersen, Carla S. Brown, Gregory D. Burchard, Amanda Y. Dunne, Treyvon R. Hanna, John W. Kenyon, Ezra Kwong, Robert T. McMillan Jr., Megan A. Monahan, Daniel R. Owens, Agustin Perez, Carmen E. Walsh, and Matthew Wise. RETIRED MEMBERS: Fidel Abea, Malcolm Anderson, David J. Bowman, Todd Brothers, Robert Canedo, Edward A. Carew, Michael R. Chantal, Eric Chiang, Michael P. Cowhig, Philip J. Downs, Henry Espinoza, Warren W. Farinas, Heather L. Fegan, Jacob W. Fegan, Denise Flaherty, Steve A. Ford, Timothy E. Fowlie, Charles Gale, Joseph L. Garbayo, Ava Garrick, Carolyn A. Gassen, Joseph M. Giannini, James Gratz, Scott A. Heindorn, Jennifer L. Hennessey-Jones , Dean S. Hirst, Richard J. Jones, Norman S. Lee, Peter Maloney, Marcial Marquez, Charles A. Miller, Mark E. Monpass, Susan M. Nangle, John J. Norment, Eric O’Neal, Dominic J. Orlando, Philip M. Pera, Daniel A. Perea, Alex W. Pinnel, Alex C. Rodatos, Brian D. Rodriguez, Angela Rossini, Robert D. Rutledge III, Roberto Salinas, Peter W. Schlegle, Robert , Thompson, Jordan R. Townsend, John T. Wallace, Thomas J. Walsh, William Wieger, Eddie S. Wu, Paul Y. Yep. A letter of suspension will be sent to the suspended members at their last known address. This is the reason we stress for members to update their address if they relocate. Suspended members will be dropped from the organization on December 31, 2025 if they have not paid their dues and fines. Dropped members have 2 years to reinstate after being dropped and are required to pay their back dues and fines and submit a doctor’s declaration of being in good health.
Communications and Bills: Secretary McDonough made a motion to pay the bills and claim for recently deceased member Lou Barberini. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed. DONATIONS: Retired S.F.P.D. brothers Sal and Fred Marota donated a generous amount of $200.00 on behalf of the San Francisco Police Department’s Solo Motorcycle Detail. We are not able to verify it, but Sal , who just turned 100, may be the oldest living member of the San Franciso Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association. We received the largest single donation, to our knowledge, in the history of our organization. The Carla Campodonico family estate sent us a donation of $100,000. This shockingly large amount of money was well received and we couldn’t be more thankful. The Campodonico family has been a long-time supporter of the San Francisco Police Department. We express our gratitude to the Marota brothers, the Campodonico family, and all donors who help strengthen our organization for all of our members.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of one of our members:
Samuel Craig, age 74: Retired Airport Deputy Chief Samuel Craig passed away. I was unable to obtain Sam’s personnel card. Sam worked for the San Francisco Police Department and soon thereafter transferred to the San Francisco Airport Police. Sam ascended through the ranks and was appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief of the Airport Police. The Airport Police eventually merged with the San Francisco Police Department placing both Departments under the umbrella of the San Francisco Police Department. AWARDS: Officers Samuel Craig and Jessie Powell each received a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Monday November 14, 1977 when they observed a Burns Security Guard chasing a suspect west on Geary Street from Webster. Officers Craig and Powell gave chase and apprehended the suspect. The Burns guard caught up to the Officers and informed them that the suspect had just robbed the Crocker Bank. The suspect was booked for the Bank Robbery.
David R. Gardner, age 97: David Ross Gardner was born June 26, 1927 in San Bernadino, California. David is listed as having worked as a Clerk prior to entering Law Enforcement. David entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 3, 1953 and was assigned to Star #995. David worked the following assignments during his career that ended with a Disability Pension: Southern Police Station (July 20, 1953), City Prison (March 1, 1954), Co. K APB (September 1, 1956). David retired with a Disability Pension on February 13, 1968.
AWARDS: Officers David R. Gardner, Lennox G. Etherington, and Warren C. McCormack received 2nd grade Medals of Valor for services rendered on March 23, 1965 for the pursuit and fatal shooting of a suspect who had been stopped in his vehicle by Officer McCormack. Officer McCormack had stopped the suspect for a speeding violation when the suspect exited his vehicle, produced a gun, and fired one shot at McCormack. The suspect sped away in his vehicle and was pursued by McCormack. Gardner and Etherington who joined the pursuit. The Officers stopped the suspect in his vehicle and were fired upon by the suspect. The Officers returned fire fatally wounding the suspect. David passed away peacefully at the hospital on the evening of March 20, 2025, with his family by his side. He led a very active and happy life with family and friends. He enjoyed ballroom dancing, playing and watching sports, and traveling with his family. He loved all animals and enjoyed playing tennis with his wife Deborah, coaching his daughter’s sports teams and watching his grandchildren grow up. David is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deborah, his daughter Hayley Wobser (Paul), daughter Heather Gardner and partner, and grandchildren Amelia and Davis Wobster.
Raymond J. Hilvert, age 84: Raymond J. Hilvert was born on May 13, 1940 in Ohio. Ray is listed as being a “Student” prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department on January 18, 1965. Ray was assigned to wear Star #247, and worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Central Police Station (April 5, 1965), Northern Police Station (March 21, 1966), HDQ Patrol Bureau (January 21, 1966), BCI (July 26, 1966), Communications (October 1, 1979), Southern Police Station (December 23, 1979), Personal Crimes ( promoted to the rank of Sergeant/Inspector on 9-24-80), General Works Detail (August 12, 1981), Robbery Detail (July 12, 1986). Raymond J. Hilvert retired with a Service Pension on January 2, 1996.AWARDS: Officer Raymond J. Hilvert, with Officers John R. Ballentine, Edward J. Erdelatz, Frank J. Falzon, and Donald G. Lauger received a 3rd grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 13, 1967. The Officers responded to a third alarm fire in a downtown hotel and were instrumental in saving many of the tenants from death or injury. Sergeants Raymond J. Hilvert, Gary L. Epperly, Inspector Stanley J. Damas, and Officer Dennis M. Russell were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Monday July 31, 1980 when they responded to 1018 Mission Street regarding “man with a gun”, who was now involved in a rent dispute with the Hotel Manager. The Officers located the suspect in the 4th floor hallway. Three Officers approached him from the front, and the fourth Officer from the rear. The suspect pointed his gun in both directions at the advancing Officers. The suspect hesitated, and then placed the gun on the floor. He was then taken into custody. Sergeants Raymond J. Hilvert and Richard B. Weich, Inspector Alex Fagan, and Police Officers James P. Caan, Stephen J. Christie, Thomas F. Powers, and Douglas Clennell received a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Saturday August 22, 1980. They all responded to 121 7th Street at the Americania Hotel when they prevented a mentally deranged man from cutting his own throat with a 12” butcher knife. The efforts of the Officers, after a brief struggle for the knife, were able to disarm the subject without injury to themselves and the parties at the scene. Inspectors Raymond J. Hilvert, Clifford Tawney, James Bergstrom, and Robert Shepherd, with Police Officers Richard Alves and Raymond Kilroy were awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for an outstanding investigation. For Services rendered between September 2, 1988 to September 14, 1988 conducted a successful surveillance and the arrest of two dangerous individuals. On September 2, 1988, members of the Robbery Detail, after several interviews with an informant, learned that a robbery of an armored car was being planned by suspects. The suspects planned to attack and capture the armored car in the south of Market Street area. The FBI Bank Squad was notified and the above-named Officers formed a Strike Force. The Strike Force followed the suspects on five occasions while plans were laid. The suspects practiced their approach and escape from the proposed robbery site. On September 14, 1988, the Strike Force took up their surveillance positions. The armored car arrived at 201 Market Street with excess of $500,000 on board. One of the suspects approached the armored car. As the suspect began to converse with the driver, Inspector Hilvert and Shepherd moved into position and took the suspect into custody without incident. The second suspect were approached by Inspectors Tawney and Bergstrom on the corner of Mission and Beale Streets. The suspect acted violently attempting to draw a weapon. Inspector Tawney fired one shot at the suspect and missed. The suspect fled on foot. A foot chase ensued and a perimeter was established. A search of Office Buildings was undertaken and the suspect was located and placed under arrest. Because of their painstaking investigative research, their diligence in planning and surveillance, the Strike Force was able to arrest both suspects.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Lindo led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our recently deceased member Lou Barberini, and for all our members who have passed away over time. Lindo adjourned our meeting and set our next scheduled meeting for Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 1100 hours, on Zoom.
To All Members: Members can access a new beneficiary form on our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on Resources on our face page and follow the link. Print the form and complete it with all the requested information. Send the form to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. We express our gratitude each month to the following people who assist us in providing our members the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the Defense Administrator for the San Francisco Police Officers Association, Paul Chignell; retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country email site, Rene LaPrevotte; retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the San Francisco Police Officers Journal Newspaper, Ray Shine; Maggie Wang of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commission Office. Thank you all.
