The Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting for August of 2022 via Zoom technology. The meeting commenced at 1200 hours on August 9, 2022.
Roll Call: President Rob Forneris, Vice President Lou Barberini, Secretary Mark J. McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara and Maureen Leonard were present. Administrative Assistant Sally Foster was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to accept the minutes from our last meeting in July of 2022. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Suspended member Anthony Srinivas paid his back dues and fines. Vice President Lou Barberini made a motion to reinstate Member Srinivas. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed. Welcome back Anthony Srinivas. I read aloud the list of suspended members who have not paid their dues and fines. President Forneris, per Article III, Section 4 of our WOAA Constitution and By-Laws dropped the following suspended members from our roll: Retired Members: Debbie Adams, Kevin Adams, Mark Aiello, Cole Aikens, Eric Altorfer, Mark Alvarez, Matt Andaluz, Patrick Backman, Una Bailey, Josephine Borges, Lance Bosshard, Geoffrey Bowker, Bryan Campbell, Nathan Chan, Benny Chin, Kaitlin Christ, Davin Cole, Steve Colgan, Eileen O’Conner, Christopher Costa, Brian Cotter, Raymond Cox, Troy Dangerfield, Robert Dermake, Evan Ducharme, Christopher Eggers, Teresa Ewins, John Ferrando, Peter Gamino, Tammy Halley, Gared Hansen, Willie Haynes, Marcus Holyfield, Tau’va Johnson, Simon Kim, Alan Lamb, John Leong, Michelle Liddicoet, Julian Lofton, Robin Lee Ludovico, Francisco Morrow, Leonard Morrow, Chris Muselman, Alpha Ng, Timothy Oberzier, Steven Ogbonna, Avery Parker, James J. Reyes, Justin J.K. Rice, Jon Rochlin, John Sanford Jr., George Santana, Mari Shephard, Nicole Thompson, Danielle Tjhia, Kelvin Tso, and Dennis Tupper Jr.
Active Members: Adam Eatia, John Fergus, Dean Ferrari, Stephanie Fujihara, Ronald Liberta, Mark Macias, Brandon Martin, Lloyd Martin, Dan McAuliffe, Viola Christina McCall, Roger Morse, Duc Nguyen, Richard O’Reilly, Adrian Osorio, Christopher Salazar, Rebecca Schiff, Carson Schilling, Henry Tam, Herschel Ticzon, Joshua Tupper, and Richard Wise. All dropped members, per our Constitution and By-Laws will be sent a registered letter informing them of their separation from the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department. The above-named members did not open their mailed suspension letter, or they moved their home location without informing us. If any person or member reading this notice knows the location address, or has a contact number for any of our dropped members, please forward the information to me, or please contact the dropped member and ask them to contact me.
Communication and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly bills and the beneficiary claims from the beneficiary(s) of recently fallen members who passed away, Larry Barbieri, Douglas Koppang, and Dennis Russell. Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Maureen Leonard 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:
Stewart Knight Flynn, age 89: Stewart Flynn was born on September 1, 1932 in Manhattan Beach, California, to Willard Dale Flynn and Mary Gomes-Romao. He met and married Barbara Ann Mullally on July 11, 1952. Stewart was listed as being a Rate Clerk prior to his Law Enforcement career. Stewart joined the San Francisco Police Department on October 16, 1966 and was assigned to Star # 427. Stewart worked at the following assignments: Taraval Police Station (January 30, 1967), Park Police Station (October 28, 1968), Northern Police Station (April 20, 1972), and his final assignment was Park Police Station (June 17, 1973). Stewart retired on December 7, 1978 with a disability pension. Stewart and Barbara settled in San Francisco and raised their four children, Laura Flynn Peradotto, Colleen Flynn DeMerritt, Eileen Flynn Wagner (Roger), and Michael Stewart Flynn. Stewart has 10 Grandchildren, and 21 Great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his sisters Betty Castora (Jim), Eugenia McGruder and brother Eugene Flynn. He was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Mary, wife Barbara and his five sisters and one brother. Steward served in the United States Army and enjoyed his career in the San Francisco Police Department. Stewart was a member of St. Annes Parish. Stewart served as the President of the St. Annes Men’s Club and was one of the first male Girl Scout leaders in Parish.
Salvatore Priolo, age 89: Salvatore Anthony Priolo was born on May 15, 1933 in San Francisco, California. Sal was the son of Anthony and Cecilia Priolo, and was raised in San Francisco. Sal attended and graduated from Galileo High School, and continued on to San Francisco State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Sal had a long career with the City of San Francisco including time as a San Francisco Police Officer and working in the District Attorney’s Office. Sal worked most of his career in the Fine Arts Museums. He served many years as the President of the Federation Public Employees. Most important in his life was faith and family. Sal was humble and prayerful, also highly intelligent, a history buff and music lover. Sal is lovingly remembered by his wife, Gwen, daughters: Karen Pulvirenti, (Tony, retired S.F.P.D.), Denise Fuentes, and Lisa Clayton; grandchildren; Aaron Hauck, Stephanie Pulvirenti, Candace Higdon (James), and Carlo Fuentes; great granddaughter Jayla, sister Lynn Siragusa (John), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. After enduring a long illness, Sal went peacefully in his sleep on Sunday July 10, 2022. Law Enforcement Career in San Francisco: Sal entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1960 and wore Star #1050. Sal worked the following assignments during his short career in the S.F.P.D.: Ingleside Police Station (October 10, 1960), Park Police Station (November 6, 1961), Central Police Station (December 17, 1962). Sal left the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1963, but stayed with the City and County of San Francisco by transferring to the De Young Museum.
Michael Wells, age 62: Michael Wells entered the San Francisco Police Department on January 12, 1987. Mike wore Star #348 and worked the following assignments during his career: Ingleside Police Station (May 31, 1987), Potrero Police Station (September 19, 1987), SOB Task Force (May 22. 1988), Potrero Police Station (September 30, 1989), S.I.D./GTF (February 14, 1998), Investigations (May 12, 2001), VCTF (September 12, 2002), GTF (January 23, 2006), Bayview Police Station (August 5, 2011), Investigations (August 6, 2011), VRT (August 19, 2011), Bayview Police Station (November, 10, 2012). Mike retired with a service retirement on March 1, 2016.
Awards: Mike Wells was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 16, 1992. Officers Mike Wells, Paul Lozada, Michael Bolte, and Kevin Whitfield investigated a series of armed robberies in the Potrero District. The robberies were the work of two black males who would board a taxi cab, and request the driver to drive them to Watchman Way. The Cab driver would be robbed at gun point after arriving at the destination. The Officers recognized the danger and seriousness of the robberies and coordinated their efforts. Wells, Whitfield, Bolte, and Lozada worked tirelessly and exchanged information during the crime spree. The Officers eventually developed the identity of the suspects and effected the arrest of both. Officer Mike Wells was awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on February 28, 1994. Officer Wells with Officers Kevin Whitfield, Michael Bolte, Michael Philpott and Sergeant Neil Swendsen were working in plainclothes in the Alice Griffith Housing area. Their attention was drawn to a vehicle due to the suspicious actions of the driver. They observed the driver open his door and discard possible narcotics. The Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however the driver drove away and would not stop. A chase ensued and the driver finally fired a shot from his firearm at the pursuing Officers. The chase continued until the suspect’s vehicle collided with another vehicle on Nichols Way. Officer Bolte positioned his vehicle to block any escape. The suspect realized he was blocked in, fired his weapon again at the unmarked police vehicle. The Officers returned fire at the suspect and a short gun battle ensued. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was struck by a bullet and was taken into custody by the Officers. Officer Mike Wells was awarded with his second Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on May 22, 1997. Officers Joel Babbs, Charles McCullar, Bart Johnson, Brian Danker, Craig Farrell, Gary Constantine, Carl Bonner, Maurice Edwards, Kevin Whitfield, and Michael Bolte were also awarded for the incident. On May 22, 1997 Officers Babbs and McCullar were on patrol in the area of Newhall and Oakdale streets when they were “flagged down” by several citizens who informed them that there was a woman was lying on the ground at 1220 Newhall due to being shot with a firearm. Babbs and McCullar responded to 1220 Newhall and located the gunshot victim lying on the ground near an open window. The female victim had sustained a gunshot to her head. Officers Babbs and McCullar requested back up units, and requested an ambulance. They Officers were informed by citizens that the suspect was inside 1220 Newhall. The Officers drew their service weapons and locked down the suspect’s apartment. Officers Constantine, Wells, Whitfield, and Bolte arrived at the scene and coordinated their efforts with Officers Babbs and McCullar. The Officers asked for additional help to clear the citizens from the area and set up a perimeter. The crowd was reluctant and hostile as they were in the line of fire from the suspect’s location. Officers Farrell and Whitfield made their way to the rear of the building and located the suspect’s firearm which had been thrown from his window landing two fences away at 1214 Newhall. Farrell and Whitfield notified McCullar and Babbs of the located firearm. Arrest teams moved in to locate and arrest the suspect. Officer Brian Danker looked through the suspect’s front window and observed the suspect peeking around a corner from inside the apartment. Danker ordered the suspect to put his hands over his head and to exit his apartment through the front door. The suspect refused. Danker continued to talk to the suspect who eventually complied and surrendered. The arrest team entered the suspect’s apartment and Officer Johnson placed the suspect under arrest. Johnson walked the suspect through the crowd of angry citizens as the other named Officers combined their efforts to keep the crowd from harming Johnson and the suspect. Officer Mike Wells was awarded his third Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on August 18, 2011. Wells and Sgt. Toney Chaplin were conducting a surveillance at 86 Navy Road. Wells and Chaplin were in possession of an arrest warrant for a suspect who lived at that location. The Officers were also in possession of a search warrant for the suspect’s premises. Wells and Chaplin knew this area was home to the notorious Oakdale Mob Gang, a violent street gang, whose member Malik Ngumezi was the target of their warrants. Sgt. Chaplin and Officer Wells waited until the suspect Ngumezi exited his residence and walked directly toward the unmarked Police vehicle. The suspect was wearing a large jacket and a backpack. The Officers exited their vehicle and informed Ngumezi that he was under arrest. Ngumezi pleaded with the Officers to let him go and continue on to his class at the City College of San Francisco. Sgt. Chaplin seized the suspect’s backpack as Officer Wells began to handcuff Ngumezi. Ngumezi attempted to flee with one handcuff on his right wrist. Officer Wells maintained control of the suspect by grabbing the dangling hand cuff. Chaplin then saw Ngumezi pull a handgun from his waistband. The gun was wrapped in a red gang bandana. Chaplin yelled “gun” to Wells as Ngumezi extended his left hand holding the gun. Chaplin immediately tackled Ngumezi as the suspect threw his loaded and cocked firearm at the Officers as he fell to the ground. The Officers arrested Ngumezi after a brief struggle from the suspect.
A motion was put in front of the WOAA Board of Trustees to give the three paid employees of the Association a 7.5% raise. These three employees have not been issued in several years. The motion passed unanimously.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Forneris led our Board in a moment of silence for our three recent fallen members, and for all our fallen members. President Forneris scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday September 12, 2022. President Forneris adjourned the meeting.
To All Members: Members who wish to change their beneficiary designation can access a new form from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES on our face page and follow the link. Print out the form and complete it with all our requested information. The new form must have a signature from a Notary, or from one of our Board Members (see Roll Call above). Please mail the form to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. Each month we express our gratitude to the following people who assist us in providing the best customer service possible to our members: Paul Chignell (retired San Francisco Police Captain and the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) Defense Administrator), Rene LaPrevotte (retired S.F.P.D. Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email), Ray Shine (retired S.F.P.D. Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal, Risa Tom of the San Francisco Police Commissioners Office, and David Ng of Personnel.