President John Keane called to order on August 11, 2015 at 1:45pm, our monthly meeting for the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department. The meeting was held at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, Room #150, in San Francisco.
Roll Call: President John Keane, Vice President Sally Foster, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Al Luenow, and Jim O’Meara were present. Retired Sergeant Mike Lewis was also in attendance. There were no absences.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to approve the minutes from our previous meeting on July 13, 2015. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Trustees Ray Kane and Jim O’Meara, and I addressed the 244th recruit class with an opportunity to apply as new members of the WOAA. Sergeant Sylvia Lange of the Academy had previously addressed the class a few weeks prior, and presented a brief description of our organization and the benefits of joining. The 244th class was one week away from graduation and entering the Field Training Program. The 244th class numbers were reduced from 50 to 31. We signed up 30 new recruits to the WOAA. One recruit signup is pending.
The following names of unpaid members for 2015 were read before the board and our President. Per our Constitution and By-Laws, Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to suspend the unpaid members. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion which passed without objection. President Keane announced the following members as hereby suspended without benefits:
Bernard Becker, Alexandria Brunner, Anthony Camilleri, Tonii Cato,
Pamela Cunningham, Daniel Dougherty, John Fullwood, Frank Gonzales,
Belinda Kerr, Lori Lamma, William Lewis, Angela Martin, Jennifer Massey,
Dennis O’Connell, Edward O’Toole, Henry Parra, Timothy Plyer, Richard
Randall, Morris Rothman, Glenn Swanson, Daniel Tinney, Sandra Tong, Donald
West, Phillip Wong, Thomas Wong, and Henry Yee.
The WOAA goes to great lengths to contact unpaid members prior to the deadline. Several members each year are contacted and they “assure us” that the check is in the mail. However, in many of those instances, the check is not received. Registered letters of suspension will be mailed to the listed addresses of the above mentioned suspended members. We want to retain our members. They owe the yearly dues of $72.00, and a five dollar per month late fee for each month past June 30th.
We have four reinstated members. Lewis Fong, James Gratz, Richard Martin Robert Merino, and Brenda Rodgers, and Elizabeth Boyle Vasquez sent us their dues and have been reinstated by the board (Motion by Centurioni, second by Luenow, and O’Meara).
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor provided us with the regular monthly bills. Taylor also confirmed that we paid out four death benefits for the beneficiaries of our fallen members Marty Bastiani, Jerry Donovan, Robert Hansel, and Thomas Jones. Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to pay our bills. Trustee Luenow seconded the motion which passed without objection.
We received donations from the following donors: Jonathan P. Jones ($50 in the memory of Mike Wilcox), John Morotto ($50 in the memory of Mike Wilcox), Sgt. Mike Kelly (retired), Ofc. Brian Kelly #1019 Mission Station, and Ofc. Daniel Kelly #211 Southern Station ($300 in memory of mother-in-law/grandmother Dorothy Jasinski. Heide Betz ($100 in memory of Martin Bastiani).
Report of Visiting Committee: Trustee Al Luenow attended the memorial service/celebration of life for fallen member Thomas Jones. Al stated that it was a well-attended service that was a moving and respectful celebration of Tom’s life and memory.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA has received notice of passing for two of our members:
Doug Foss, age 66: Douglas Glenn Foss was born on June 11, 1949 in San Francisco to Alice Gertrude (Noack) and Harry Carson Foss. Doug graduated from Serra High School in San Mateo and proudly followed family tradition by joining the U.S. Army. Doug served in the Military Police. Additionally, Doug served as a Gunner in a River Boat Patrol (PBR) in Vietnam from 1968-1970. Doug was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971. Doug entered the S.F.P.D. Academy on March 1, 1971 and was assigned to Star #1976. Doug transferred to Mission Police Station on May 16, 1971. On August 9, 1972, Doug transferred to Co. K AOB. On May 7, 1980 Doug transferred from the Traffic School Patrol to the Traffic Solos where he remained a Solo until his retirement on April 23, 2003. On January 5, 1976 Doug was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Monday August 25, 1975 at 1450 hours. Doug and his partner Thomas J. O’Hara apprehended a suspect who had committed a bank robbery at the Home Savings and Loan at Sacramento and Front Streets. The suspect was armed with a shotgun when Doug and his partner made the arrest. Sgt. Leigh McVeigh received a Silver Medal of Valor for his part in this arrest. Doug was a dedicated member of the Elks National Foundation for over 30 years and served as its Exalted Ruler (Salem Lodge) for both 2009 and 2010. Doug will be remembered for his lifetime love of motorcycles and admired for his generous and loyal nature. He was preceded in death by his first wife Kathleen and son John. Doug is survived by his wife Anna Foss, his daughter Shelley Goodwin, son Joseph Foss, and multiple grandchildren.
Robert Hulsey, age 74: Robert James Hulsey was born Tulare, California on April 21, 1941. Shortly thereafter, Robert moved to Oklahoma with his family and later returned to California at age 9. Robert graduated from James Marshall H.S. in West Sacramento. Robert then elisted in the U.S. Army. Robert was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Robert was honorably discharged from the Army and spent time in Reno, Nv and Sacramento, Ca. Robert then received the call to be a member of the San Francisco Police Department’s 99th Recruit Class. Robert’s listed occupation prior to the San Francisco Police Department was “Army”. Robert entered the S.F.P.D. Academy on September 16, 1964 and was assigned to Star #1071. Robert transferred from the Academy to Northern Police Station on December 31, 1964. On March 21, 1966 Robert transferred to Ingleside Police Station. Robert served the City at Ingleside for more than 8 years. On November 1, 1974 he transferred to CPC. On February 16, 1977 Robert transferred to Park Police Station but, was transferred three weeks later to the Chief’s Office. Five months later on August 24, 1977 Robert was transferred to the Intelligence Unit. One year later on August 23, 1978 Robert was transferred back to Park Police Station subsequent to his Sergeant’s promotion. One month later Robert was transferred back to Intelligence where he remained until his service retirement on January 3, 1995. Robert had been a member of SWAT and EOD, and SID during his career. On October 5, 1971 Robert was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for his part in capturing and arresting two suspect for a Robbery of a grocery store in the Excelsior District. Two months later on December 14, 1971, Robert, along with Inspector Yasinitsky, and officers J. Rogovoy, and E. Tank, was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for serving a felony warrant on a suspect who lived on Ellsworth Street. The suspect was disarmed by Robert. The suspect had an automatic weapon and had attempted to fire it at the officers. On June 22, 1973 Robert was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for the arrest of five suspects who had stolen an automobile. Robert and his partner Horace Young recovered two stolen autos in addition to the arrest. On November 14, 1975 Robert was awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for his actions on August 8, 1975. On that day, at 0715 hours, Robert responded to Mission Police Station and dismantled an explosive device in which gasoline bags had been attached to a radio car which was intended to blow up all the police vehicles, and possible police officers, in the parking lot. On November 3, 1989 Robert was awarded another Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on December 9, 1988 at 0830 hours. An envelope was delivered to Wells Fargo Bank with a tape recording that stated bombs were planted in 3 bank branches in SF. The suspect demanded 3.3 million dollars and to have it ready by 1530 hours. The money was to be delivered by a female on a bicycle with no police within 1800 feet of the courier. The courier bicycle would be rigged with an explosive device that would have a two meter range. The S.F.P.D Intelligence Unit, Robbery Detail, and Bomb Squad, with the FBI formulated a response to the suspect’s demands. The female courier was directed by several pay phone stops to make a final pay phone stop at Marina Greens where she was instructed to drop the money in the center of the Greens and return to the phone booth. Forty-Five minutes later the suspect was observed to pick up the money and walk away. FBI agents moved in and effected the arrest of the suspect. At this time, Robert Hulsey warned all involved persons that the suspect was wearing an explosive device of six sticks of dynamite in his left shirt pocket. Hulsey stated that the pressure switch had been activated and was now charging. Hulsey with disregard for his own safety rendered safe the device by removing from the suspect and moving it to another location where he rendered it safe. On August 3, 1990 Robert Hulsey along with Sergeants James Hall and Ed Dullea, and Officer Michael Travis were awarded Bronze Medals of Valor for services rendered on April 1, 1990. Officers responded to 1119 Powhatten Street where they located a large amount of dynamite was buried in the rear yard. Officers concluded that the dynamite had been buried for a number of years and was in a deteriorated state and was unstable. Two hundred four sticks were located and an immediate evacuation of the block was necessary. Officers were required to remove each stick one at a time and place them into a sand filled DPW truck. Each stick had its own sand mound. The Officers also used the EOD truck. The dynamite was transported to a vacant area east of Candlestick Park where they were destroyed. Robert enjoyed camping with friends and was a volunteer in Yosemite, and in the Smoky Mountains working with Park Rangers. He loved travelling with family and friends. Robert passed away on July 26, 2015.
Report of Special Committee:
Unfinished Business: Vice President and Chairperson for our floral project Sally Foster reported a bill of $81.72 for an arrangement sent to the spouse of Robert Hulsey. This bill was submitted in our Communications and Bills section. Foster stated she would send an arrangement to the spouse of Doug Foss.1071. Robert transferred to Northern Police Station on December 31, 1964. From March 21, 1966 through August 23, 1978: Ingleside Police Station (1966), CPC (1974), Park Police Station (1977), Chief’s Office (March 1977), Intelligence (August 1977), and Park Police Station on August 23, 1978 when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. On September 30, 1978 Robert was transferred back to the Intelligence Unit where he remained until his service retirement on January 3, 1995.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Association: President Keane took a moment that thank all the members for their participation and hard work in membership recruitment (McDonough, Kane, O’Meara), special project committee for actuary study (Kane,Foster, O’Meara, John and Julie Centurioni), location of beneficiary of James Norman (Lindo), pursuit of delinquent dues (Taylor).
Adjournment: President Keane led our board members in a ‘moment of silence’ for our fallen members. President Keane scheduled our next meeting for September 8, 2015 at 1:45pm. The Meeting will be held at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, Room #150 in San Francisco.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Use a desktop or laptop (not a pad) to access a beneficiary form. Click on the ‘resources’ box on the upper right side of the tool bar. Print the form and make all necessary changes. A notary signature or WOAA Board Member is required if it is a BENEFICIARY CHANGE. Address and contact number changes only can be made on this form but do not require a notary. Please mail the forms to WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, S.F., Ca 94188. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. Each month I express our thanks and gratitude to those who assist in our cause. Acting Captain Nicholas Rainsford and Jon Voong of Personnel send us employee information for our obituary section. Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw and Risa of the Police Commission Office send us award information of our fallen members for the obituary section. Retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA assists with locating lost members who we are attempting to contact for membership issues. Retired Lt. Rene Laprevotte is in constant contact through email for S.F.P.D. pertinent information, retired member concerns, deceased member information including services and memorials, and other related concerns and points of interest.