The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association held their monthly meeting on Tuesday April 15, 2023. The meeting was held via Zoom technology at 1130 hours.
Roll Call: President Lou Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard and Rob Forneris were present. Administrative Assistant Sally Foster was present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Rob Forneris made a motion to accept last month’s minutes. Secretary Mark McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There are no new applications this month. The following members, by order of President Lou Barberini per WOAA Constitution Article III, Section III, are SUSPENDED from all rights and privileges for non-payment of dues in 2023: Retired Members- Rueben Aguirre, Richard Araujo, Peter-Kwadwo K Asare III, Martin Banvik, Keith Bartel, Wendy Bear, Nicholas Bettencourt, Jonathan Borzin, Terri Bowen, Scott Butland, Jonathan Cairo, Alan Callaway, Michael Cattaneo, Randy Caturay, Dennis Cessena, Chien-Ping Chou, Troy Courtney, Michelle Craig, Patrick Cummins, William Derro, Derick Dragon, Robert Duffield, Nancy Fadhl, Raymond Fernandez, Emily Fields, Vincent Fontela, Steve Ford, Krystel Fortie, Lisa Fraser, Shawn Fulgado, Daniel Gibbs, Robert Gilson, Deborah Gizdich, Jennifer Granucci, James Gratz, Sterling Hayes, Joe Hernandez III, Jacob Horton, Jason Hui, Juan C. Jiminez-Almanza, Thomas J. Johnson, Oleksiy Katoliychuk, Jerry King, Kenneth Koenig, Kirk Leong, Jonathan Lucchetti, Anders Mac, John Mambretti, Susan Manheimer, Brendan Mannix, Gregory Mar, Carol Margetts, Edward Markey, Richard Mathiesen, Chad Matteri, Cory McDowell, Francisco Mendez, Charles Miller, Mary Morentz, Davon TJ Morgan, Lauren Nelson, Micah Norris, Joseph Obidi, Matthew G. O’Leary, David On, Sean O’Rourke, Gretchen Parker, Matthew Parker, Colin Patino, Gary Peachey, Troy Peele, Timothy Plyer, Joseph Porta, Anthony Powers, Nicholas Rainsford, Carlos Recinos, Lynn Reilly, Richard Reyes, Dennis Rodelas, Rene Julien Romero, Shaughn Ryan, Christopher Sabella, Hratch Sarkissian, Michael Sheerer, Nicholas Sepich, John Shanahan, Gordon Shyy, Megan Sinclair, Holly Marie Stoumen, Nicholas Suslow, Kenneth Syring, Charles Tanaka, Dack O. Thompson, Jason Trumpp, Issac Venezuela, Hans Vigil, Dorian Washington, Mark C. Williams, Craig D. Wilson, Sherrie Wong, Johnny C. Wood, Christopher Woon.
Active S.F.P.D. Officers: Michael Blume, Joshua Cabillo, Tasawan Casey, Ryan Crockett, Nicholas Cuevas, Daniel Faulkner, Christa Festa, Jiselle Glover, Stephen Hogan, Brittany Lewis, Julia Little, Mark Monpas, Michele Primiano, Richard Salas, Yvonne Strickfaden, Johathan Tong, Tecia D. Williams, Baylon D. Yee, Angela Yesson.
Suspended members must pay their dues and a late fee of $10 per month. We send bills to our members, and additional notice if a member has not paid their dues by March. March 31 is the last day to pay dues. Members who have neglected to pay their dues are suspended April 1.
Josephine Borges was reinstated by vote of our Board after we received her back dues and fines. Josephine sent a Physician’s note of good health. Welcome back Josephine! We apologize if you sent your dues during the publication of the article.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly bills and the beneficiary claims for deceased member Jack Rodgers. President Barberini made a motion to pay the bills. Secretary McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of one of our members:
Peter Godbois, age 83: Peter Henry Godbois was born on December 18, 1939 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From New Hampshire the family later moved to Caribou, Maine. Pete’s mother’s family name was Gerrish. The Gerrish family owned Gerrish Island in Maine and Pete enjoyed spending his summers on the Island. Pete’s family moved to Kentucky when he was a teenager. Soon thereafter Pete enlisted in the United States Army. Pete later served the United States Coast Guard. Pete was discharged from the Armed Services and moved to Folsom, California with a buddy from the Army. Pete met the love of his life Sharron (Williams) at a Bowling Alley in Folsom. Pete and Sharron married on November 22, 1962. Pete was employed as a Prison Guard at Folsom State Prison, and decided to choose a career in Law Enforcement. Pete joined the San Francisco Police Department at the age of 31 on May 11, 1971. Pete’s daughter Elizabeth was born in Roseville, California. Later, his daughter Rebecca was born in Oakland, California. Pete left a job at Mongomery Wards to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. Pete wore Star #435 and worked the following assignments during his 30 year career: Southern Police Station (August 1, 1971), Park Police Station (June 17, 1973), Co.K (E & I), (August 1, 1973), Mission Police Station (May 18, 1977), Northern Police Station ( July 4, 1979), Personnel & Training (August 1, 1979), Pete was promoted to Police Inspector on January 2, 1982 and was subsequently transferred the Police Academy and then to Traffic Hit & Run (May 9, 1982), Pete was promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant on April 7, 1986, Auto Detail (July 27, 87), Photo Lab (January 19, 1991), Traffic Solos (February 7, 1998), Field Operations Bureau (May 12, 2001). Pete retired with a Service Pension on July 6, 2001.
The Traffic Solos was Pete’s favorite assignment. Pete loved the San Francisco Police Department and was proud to have been a member serving the public. In 2006, Pete and Sharron moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona where he loved riding his motorcycle and hiking. Pete loved God, his family, and his grandchildren. Pete worked hard at being a good husband, a good father, and provided for his family to have a good life and for them to never want for anything. He took Sharron and his children on camping trips across the United States and in Canada in his Orange VW bus. Pete was very generous with his time and money and was never too busy to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Unfortunately, Pete was involved in a terrible auto accident on his motorcycle. Pete suffered terrible pain for more than 10 years. Sharron was his greatest support system. Pete passed away on March 30, 2023. AWARDS: Officer Peter Godbois and Lieutenant Richard Klapp received a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on June 14, 1977 at 2200 hours. They responded to 3761 23rd Street on a report of a distraught women who had a revolver pointed at her head and threatening to commit suicide. Godbois approached the bedroom and began conversing with the woman. The woman became agitated and began waiving the gun in an erratic manner and then fired a shot at Officer Godbois. Godbois stayed calm under pressure and continued his conversation with the armed woman. Godbois introduced Lt. Klapp into the conversation. Klapp and Godbois slowly started to close the gap between themselves and the armed woman. Once again, the woman began waiving the gun in an erratic manner but was startled and distracted from a phone call from her sister. The Officers seizing the moment where the armed woman lost focus, rushed her and disarmed her. The woman was placed in custody with no injury to her or the Officers who risked their lives to stop a deadly situation. Officers Peter Godbois and Martin Walsh, and Captain George Jeffrey were awarded with Silver Medals for Valor for services rendered on February 9, 1978 at approximately 1930 hours. They responded to the 1400 block of 48th Avenue where an armed suspect had just shot two San Francisco Police Officers. The area was sealed off and the shooter was reportedly hiding in the area. The Officers were informed by a neighbor that the armed suspect had broken into her home and stated that the suspect and her husband were both inside the residence. The Officers responded to her residence at 1444 48th Avenue and confronted the armed suspect at gun point. The Officers ordered the suspect to drop his gun. The suspect complied and were taken into custody. Officer Peter Godbois was awarded with his third Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on March 7, 1978 at approximately 0200 hours. Godbois responded to a call of an armed male in the area of 2100 Market Street. Officer Godbois located the suspect and ordered him to stop. The suspect fled and Godbois gave chase. Officer Godbois caught up to the suspect at Noe Street. The suspect turned and drew a semi-automatic handgun from his waist belt area and pointed it at Godbois. Godbois had already drew his weapon and had it pointed at the suspect. Godbois again ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. At this time two other Officers arrived at the scene and positioned themselves behind the suspect. An exchange of gunfire would have placed the Officers in great danger. The suspect, realizing he had no escape, surrendered to the Officers. Godbois displayed calm and control and did not want to jeopardize the safety of the other two Officers by firing upon the suspect. Godbois and the other Officers successfully averted a dangerous shooting and placed the suspect in custody. Officer Peter Godbois, with six Sergeants and 52 other Officers were award with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on October 5th and 6th 1979 displayed courage, bravery, and stamina during a 23-hour duration of a major hostage/sniper incident at 1275 Market Street. Despite hazardous circumstances, these Officers were able to maintain continuous containment which ultimately resulted in a state of physical exhaustion of the suspect which led to his capture and arrest.
Daniel J. Murphy, age 95: Daniel J. Murphy was born in January 1928, in San Francisco, California. Dan worked as a Teamster prior to his Law Enforcement career. Dan entered the San Francisco Police Department on October 1, 1949 and was assigned to Star #647. Dan worked the following assignments during his 37-year career: Park Police Station (October 24, 1949), Central Police Station (November 6, 1950), Inspector’s Bureau (September 7, 1953), General Office (July 10, 1975), Dan was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant during his assignment to the Inspector’s Bureau, on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 1971. Dan was promoted the rank of Police Lieutenant on March 24, 1975. Dan was transferred back to the Inspector’s Bureau (April 28, 1976), Gang Task Force (September 13, 1977), and to Intelligence (August 2, 1978). Dan was promoted to the rank of Police Captain on July 1, 1981. Dan ended his career working in the Administration (March 24, 1986). Dan retired with a Service Pension on July 25, 1986. AWARDS: Inspector DanielI J. Murphy was awarded with a Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on October 16, 1966. Dan, with Officer Matthew Kriletich and Sergeant Frank Hughes responded to a call of a distraught woman who had ascended to the 12th floor building ledge. The Officers rushed to the 12th floor and attempted several types of verbal persuasion to talk the woman back into the building and out of danger. All attempts failed as the woman threatened to jump if they came any closer to her. Two of the Officers simulated a retreat and upon a planned signal rushed toward the woman and were able to grab her arms. She remained suspended in mid-air in the grasp of the Officers who were straddling the ledge. The Officers and the woman were in danger of falling. The Officers held the woman and their position until the San Francisco Fire Department arrived to assist in the safety of all. The Officers risked their lives to save a distraught woman who was considering to take her own life.
Report of Special Committee: No Special Committee at this time.
Old Business: The WOAA Board members met for dinner on April 15, 2023 to honor Rob Forneris for his outstanding year (2022) as our President.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Lou Barberini led the Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen members. President Barberini then scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday May 9. 2023 via Zoom technology. President Barberini then adjourned the meeting.
To All Members: Members who wish to change their beneficiary designation can access a new form at our website sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the RESOURCES section on our face page and follow the link. Please complete the form with all our requested information and mail it to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. The change of beneficiary form requires the signature of a Notary, or a signature from one of Board Members (see Roll Call above). Each month we receive support and assistance from the following people: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the long-standing 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 reaching thousands of retired and active Police Officers, 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 Commission.