The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting at 850 Bryant Street room 125 on Tuesday January 9, 2018 at 1pm.
Roll Call: President Leroy Lindo, Vice President Ray Kane, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Jim O’Meara, Al Luenow, Rob Forneris, Lou Barberini, and Bookkeeper Sally Foster were present.
Approval of Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from the December 2017 WOAA meeting. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions; and Reinstatements: The 258th Academy Class is graduating in February. I have submitted several requests for a February date to present our membership to the class. I am awaiting a response. There were no suspensions or reinstatements this month. However, we have a list of suspended WOAA members for 2017 that failed to pay their dues for the year. The names were reported to President Lindo by Treasurer Taylor. President Lindo, by order of Article III, Section 4 of our WOAA Constitution, has stricken the following names from our Roll:
John Broucaret, Raymond A. Carlson, Edward Cheung, Martha Fabiani, Peter Fiori
Charles Gale, Stephen Gillis, Clayton Goodwin, David Householder, Peter Larsen,
Charles Limbert, Andrew Macilrath, Sonia Mariona, Joseph Noto, John Stephens,
Daniel Tinney, Andrea Weyl, Kevin Whalen, Vivian Williams.
The aforementioned dropped members will be notified by certified mail that will be sent to their last known address. Per Article III, section 6 of our Constitution, the dropped members may be reinstated to membership by submitting a written application and paying their back dues and fines. Article III, section 2 orders new applicants who apply to the WOAA one year past their appointment date to the San Francisco Police Department to accompany their application with a note of sound health from Physician named by the WOAA.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor presented the monthly bills and death benefits paid. Death benefits were paid to the beneficiaries of passed members Bernard Becker, Mario Pola, and Herb Lee. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay all bills and death benefits. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. All Credit Union automatic WOAA dues payments have been sent to us by SFPCU. Any member can apply to have their dues paid year by the San Francisco Police Credit Union (SFPCU). The SFPCU will not accept applications for 2018 dues after March 1, 2018.
Bookkeeper Sally Foster presented an update of her first week. With the exception of a few members, Sally was able to have nearly all the active officers from our trailing Academy Classes to be put on payroll deduction for their dues. Sally also examined the records on all our deceased members, retired members, and dropped members over the past 5 years. The purpose of the 5 year audit is to ensure that we are billing our members correctly, and to ensure that we have correctly separated our active and retired membership. Sally was in contact with the CCSF payroll division and provided correct employee numbers for our active members whose employee numbers were incorrect. Our membership has been presented all classes through the 257th Recruit Class. We will present our membership to the 258th Recruit Class on January 19, 2018. Sally reported that the WOAA has 1301 active members, and 1914 retired members.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news that two of our members passed away:
Antonio Cacatian, age : Antonio Cacatian entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 18, 2000. Antonio was assigned to star# 1837, and later to #2294. Antonio graduated from the San Francisco Police Academy on April 14, 2001 and worked the following assignments during his career: Mission Police Station (April 14, 2001), SF Police Academy (March 10, 2008), Taraval Police Station (May 3, 2008), Mission Police Station (August 9, 2008), Southern Police Station (December 12, 2009), Crime Lab (March 19, 2011), Southern Police Station (February 15, 2013), Taraval Police Station (June 8, 2013), Park Police Station (August 31, 2013). Antonio Cacatian died on December 19, 2017.
Charlie Harwell Jr, age 78: Charlie Harwell Jr. was born in Kiefer, Oklahoma in 1939. Charlie was listed as an “Inspector” for his employment prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Charlie entered the S.F.P.D. on July 1. 1964. Charlie was assigned to wear star #502 and he worked the following assignments during his 10 year career: Southern Police Station (September 7, 1964), Taraval Police Station (September 19, 1965), Investigations Bureau (April 16, 1972), and his last assignment was a return to Taraval Police Station (August 23, 1972). Charlie Harwell left the San Francisco Police Department on August 21, 1974 with a disability pension. Charlie was awarded with a third grade Meritorious Award for bravery for services rendered on April 2, 1968. Charlie captured Robbery suspects who had already committed two hold-ups in the Taraval Police District and at least 11 other robberies.
Douglas C. Mitchell, age 80: Douglas Collins Mitchell was born in Maui, Hawaii. Doug was a “Warehouseman” prior to entering Law Enforcement. Doug entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1968. Doug was assigned to star #514 and graduated from the San Francisco Police Academy on October 28, 1968. Doug worked the following assignments during his career: Richmond Police Station (October 28, 1968). Potrero Police Station (November 3, 1969), Mission Police Station (May 4, 1972), Potrero Police Station (July 15, 1973), CSTF (March 7, 1977), Northern Police Station (promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred on December 3, 1980), Taraval Police Station (September 2, 1989), Richmond Police Station (April 25, 1992). Doug retired with a service pension on July 4, 1998 after serving the City of San Francisco for 30 years. Doug was awarded with two Police Commission Commendations during his career. For services rendered on October 5, and 6 in 1979, Doug and countless other officers displayed exemplary courage during the 23 hour duration of a major hostage-sniper incident at 1275 Market Street. Despite the hazardous circumstances, officers were able to maintain continuous containment which ultimately resulted in a state of physical exhaustion of the suspect leading to his arrest. For services rendered on July 23, 1980, Doug with Officers Barbara Brewster and Edward L. St. Andre responded to an aggravated robbery where the suspect knocked the female victim to the ground fracturing her shoulder, stole her purse and fled in a waiting vehicle at 25th avenue and Lincoln Way. Doug and the Offices located the vehicle and suspects at Polk at Beach Streets where they arrested the suspects at gunpoint.
Dave Toschi, age 88: David Toschi was born in San Francisco on July 11, 1931. Dave was a proud San Franciscan and Italian American. Dave graduated from Galileo High School in San Francisco and went on to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army. Dave was a member of the 24th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, Dave joined the San Francisco Police Department where he served for 32 years, retiring as a full Inspector. Dave entered the S.F.P.D. on July 20, 1953. Dave graduated from the Police Academy on August 31, 1953 and was assigned to star #1807. Dave worked at the following assignments during his career: Richmond Police Station (August 31, 1953), Mission Police Station (September 27, 1954), Co.K APB (November 27, 1956), B/I Investigations Personal Crimes (September 5, 1960), Investigations Property Crimes (July 11, 1978), Investigations Personal Crimes/Robbery/ Homicide, Sex Crimes (May 20, 1984). David Toschi retired with a service pension on July 2, 1985. During his career, Dave was awarded three Meritorious Conduct Awards for Investigations, and a Bronze Medal of Valor, a Second Grade Medal of Valor, and a First Grade Medal of Valor. For services rendered on September 22, 1956 David Toschi was awarded a First Grade Medal of Valor. Dave arrested a suspect who had fired a shotgun at him while he was seated in his vehicle. The suspect fired the shotgun at Dave while trying to escape. No further details were provided for this incident. For services rendered on January 10, 1958 Officers David Toschi, William Mott, Rene LaCau, Ronald Kall, and Raymond Osuna disarmed and arrested a man who had fired a shot at another person, and then threatened the Officers. The armed suspect was 6’8 and weighed 275 pounds. All five Officers were needed in taking the suspect into custody. All five Officers were awarded a Second Grade Medal of Valor. For services rendered on June 8, 1975 and continuing to its subsequent conclusion on March 31, 1976 Homicide Inspectors Dave Toschi, and Frank Falzon investigated a double homicide on Albion Street. Toschi and Falzon put together bits and pieces of information including minimal amounts of evidence left at the scene. Toschi and Falzon were able to identify and locate the perpetrator, and obtained a Secret Murder Indictment against him. They arrested the suspect and booked him on two counts of murder. For services rendered on Tuesday March 24, 1981 at 11:30 am, Dave and Parole Agent Richard “Bandit” Bandettini responded to 1736 Page Street (Day Care Center) to speak with a Parolee who was a possible suspect in an armed robbery and brutal assault and an 84 year old woman. The interview resulted in the suspect, with a sawed-off shotgun, taking Bandettini as a hostage. Inspector Toschi realizing the situation rushed to the aid of the Agent. The suspect had the shotgun barrel placed against Bandettini’s head and refused to release him. Inspector Toschi, service revolver in hand, but hidden by a briefcase backed away when he observed four to five patients of the Center moving dangerously close to the situation. Toschi moved the patients to another area as he feared they would also be taken hostage. Toschi notified Communications and assisted the Hostage Negotiation Team in eventually taking the dangerous suspect into custody. Dave was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor. For services rendered on March 111, 1983, Inspectors Dave Toshi and Robert Peterson were awarded a Meritorious Conduct Award. The Inspectors apprehended two suspects who on December 4, 1982 at 9:45 am, forced their way into the home of an 85 and 95 year old men. The suspects severely beat the elderly men. The Inspectors conducted a long and tedious investigation gathering bits and pieces of information which ultimately led to the identification of one of the suspects. Toschi and Peterson served search warrants which led to the arrest of both suspects and the recovery of stolen evidence. Dave Toschi, with Lieutenant Charles Hoenisch, and Inspectors Olav Hindahl, Calvin Nutting, and Officer Rodney King, for rendering service on Monday March 3, 1984, were awarded Meritorious Conduct Awards for the investigation and arrest of a home-invasion robbery suspect and his associates. A thorough and painstaking investigation concluded involving a series of residential take-over robberies over a six month period between August 14, 1983 and February 2, 1984. The robberies were perpetrated against several elderly male and female victims. The suspects would gain entry in the victim’s homes by the use of a celluloid, or through an open door or window. For any Officer who may be unaware of the term, a celluloid, or “Loid” is a strip of plastic that can be used to be wedged between the door frame and the lock. The “Loid” would often successfully slide between the door latch and the frame allowing the user to pull open the door. The suspect would conceal himself in the basement area and pounce on the unsuspecting victims when the opportunity presented itself. On several occasions the suspect would tie the hands and feet of his victims. If the suspect’s demands were not met he would set fire to the house, or if the victims were female, he would rape them. On Monday March 5, 1984, after diligent and tenacious efforts on the part of the above mentioned Inspectors, Officer, and Lieutenant, the suspect was taken into custody and charged with 15 felonies. Multiple felony counts were charged on two other associates of the primary suspect. David Toschi was the lead Inspector on the Zodiac Murders case for a period of time. I was not provided any details regarding the investigation or Dave’s investigative involvement.
After retiring from the S.F.P.D., he continued working in the Security Industry, including 10 years at the Pan Pacific Hotel as the Director of Security and several years as the Vice President of North Star Security. He loved books, music, and could sing with the best of them. His greatest pleasure was his loving family who will miss his keen sense of humor, his gentle guidance and his unconditional love.
Report of Special Committees: Our Constitution and By-Laws rewrite has been Sally Foster’s project. The project began a few years ago under the direction of President Robert Mattox. The WOAA has settled on the language and changes. We will send our members a copy of the proposal with a separate envelope to vote for accepting or declining the proposed changes.
Unfinished Business: 2017 WOAA President John Centurioni was voted in as our junior Trustee at our December 2017 meeting. However, after 17 years of service to the WOAA, twice as a President and many years as a Trustee, he has decided to step down. The WOAA now has an opening for the vacant Trustee position. Any interested members can contact me, or any Board Member as soon as possible. My contact information is as follows: cell phone 415 681-3660, and email ‘markmac825@comcast.net’.
New Business: The past few years your WOAA board has embarked on various projects and efforts to make us a stronger organization. The efforts have time demands on all of our Board Members to pledge their assistance in helping to complete our efforts. We have conducted an audit of our membership, an actuarial study with an evaluation of our business, dues, our policies, and our financial health. We have evaluated our auditors, and our accountants, as well our financial advisors and we have made positive changes. For example; our new financial advisors have reported that our portfolio has produced well over a million dollars in 2017. Our Board members have assisted in membership drive, record checks, contacting members, review and rewriting our Constitution and By-Laws, and compiling the necessary information that is vital to our progress. Due to the increased participation of our Trustees, Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to increase the yearly stipend to five-hundred dollars per year. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Good of the Order: The time of our monthly meetings have been modified to 12:30 noon. The meeting will continue to take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 850 Bryant Street room 125 in San Francisco.
Adjournment: President Lindo led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our passed members. President Lindo scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday February 13, 2018 at 850 Bryant Street room 125 in San Francisco, California. The meeting will begin at 12:30 pm.
To All Members: Please visit our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org Beneficiary forms can be accessed by clicking on the RESOURCES box on our face page. New beneficiary forms REQUIRE a signature by a Notary, or a signature by one of our current Board Members. The beneficiary forms should also be used to submit address and/or contact number changes. The address and contact number changes do not required a Notary signature. Please send your completed forms to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. Retired members who are not an automatic payment should use the address for dues payments. It is essential to have updated contact and address information to send our bills, or association updates to our members. Several certified letter of suspension are returned due to an incorrect address, or the member refusing to accept the letter. I can be contacted by phone at 415 681-3660, or by email at ‘markmac825@comcast.net’. We continue each month to express our thanks and gratitude to the following people who greatly assist our efforts: Retired San Francisco Police Department Captain and presently the Defense Administrator of the SFPOA Paul Chignell, David Ng of Personnel, Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw and Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, retired San Francisco Police Department Sergeant and long standing editor of the POA Journal Ray Shine, retired S.F.P.D. Lieutenant and host of the Gold Country Reaper website Rene LaPrevotte, and finally to the San Francisco Police Department Traffic Command and Officers. Traffic Company graciously affords a location for our files and our monthly meetings.