Roll Call: Vice President Louis Barberini, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Jim O’Meara, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. President Rob Forneris, and Trustees Ray Kane and Maureen Leonard were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to accept the minutes from December 2021. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions, and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, suspensions, or reinstatements. Trustee Ray Kane Is scheduled to present the WOAA membership to the 274th San Francisco Police Recruit Class on February 2, 2022, at the Police Academy. Membership dues are due now and will be delinquent if not paid by March 31, 2022. Unpaid members on April 1, 2022 will be suspended by order of President Forneris. A letter will be sent to suspended members notifying them of their suspension.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly bills and the beneficiary claims by the family of fallen members Ernest Howren and Innocente Cisneros. Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to pay the monthly bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Jim O’Meara 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 our following members:
Raymond A. Austin, age 74: Raymond A. Austin was born on May 9, 1947 in Glen Falls, New York. Ray was the son of the late George and Virginia (Forte) Austin. Ray was a 1965 graduate of Hudson Falls High School. Ray continued his education at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Albany, New York. After College, Ray moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and eventually moved and settled in San Francisco, California where Ray met the love of his life, Fernando Roman. Ray and Fernando were together for 40 years sharing a lifetime of memories and travels throughout the World. Ray entered the San Francisco Police Department on November 16, 1981, and was assigned to Star #133. Ray worked the following assignments during his 21-year career: Northern Police Station (March 14, 1982), Richmond Police Station (June 23, 1982), Mission Police Station (December 15, 1982), Richmond Police Station (December 16, 1983), Mission Police Station (October 3, 1984), Field Operations Bureau (April 13, 2002). Raymond A. Austin retired with a Service Pension on January 3, 2003. After retiring from the San Francisco Police Department, Ray and Fernando moved to Hudson Falls, New York and made their home on Pearl Street. Ray took great pride in the restoration of their Bronk home also known as the Blue Garden. Upon his relocation to Hudson falls, Ray was involved with ESL, teaching English as a second language. He also taught adults how to read through the Tri-County Literacy Program. Ray loved his community and was always searching for ways to give. He was a selfless and generous man, continually doing for his community. He actively delivered Meals on Wheels and drove Seniors to their appointments. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Austin. Ray was survived by his brother Donald Austin and his wife Gail of Glen Falls, his nephew Bill Austin and his wife Liz of South Glen Falls, his mother-in-law Maria Roman of Florida, his brothers-in-law Victor Roman and his wife Alba, Ricky Roman, and Roberto Roman and his wife, and several nieces and nephews.
Walter Derby, age 89: Walter J. Derby was born on March 7, 1932 in San Francisco, California. Ray was a PG&E Cartman prior to his career in Law Enforcement. Walter entered the San Francisco Police Department on April 16, 1956 at the age of 24. Walter was assigned to Star #320 and he worked the following assignments during his disability-shortened 21-year career: Potrero Police Station (July 9, 1956), Northern Police Station (January 2, 1967), Taraval Police Station (October 16, 1957), Co. K Solo Motorcycles (January 9, 1961). Walter J. Derby retired on January 26, 1977 with a Disability Pension.
Andy M. Kristensen, age 97: Andy Kristensen was born on June 13, 1924, in San Francisco, California. His father Andrew Sr. emigrated from Denmark, and his mother Marietta emigrated from Germany to make their home in San Francisco. Andy graduated from High School and was drafted into the United States Armed Services during WWII. Following the War, Andy returned to San Francisco where he found his passion in the San Francisco Police Department. Andrew was listed as being a Machinist Apprentice prior to his Law Enforcement career. Andy entered the San Francisco Police Department on January 20, 1947 as part of an emergency appointment. Andy is listed as entering the SFPD on August 15, 1948, however, Andy began his employment in January of 1947 and continued until his retirement on June 8, 1978. Andy was assigned to Star #215 and worked the following assignments during his 31-year career: Ingleside Police Station (February 3, 1947), Mission Police Station (April 21, 1957), Taraval Police Station (promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and transferred on July 21, 1958), Northern Police Station (January 5, 1959), Central Police Station (June 13, 1960), Investigations/Juvenile Detail (promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant and transferred on July 1, 1966), Inspectors Bureau (February 1, 1971), Staff Inspection (July 1, 1971), Patrol Bureau ( transferred on February 23, 1972 and later promoted to the rank of Police Captain on June 1, 1972), BCI (July 16, 1972), Staff Inspection (November 13, 1974), and Andy’s last transfer was a return to BCI on April 8, 1976. Andy retired with a service pension on June 8, 1978. Awards: For services rendered on March 21, 1951, Officers Any Kristensen and Herbert Starkey were awarded with 1st grade Meritorious Awards (Now classified as a Gold Medal of Valor). Kristensen and Starkey arrested a hold up man (armed robber) who turned and fired his firearm at the Officers as he attempted escape. The suspect was apprehended by the Officers. The Police Commission report has no further information than what I described above. The incident occurred in 1951, and incident accounts are often and unfortunately abbreviated. For services rendered on February 8, 1964, Sergeant Andrew Kristensen with Officers Michael Coleman and William Dailey were awarded with a 3rd grade Medal of Valor (now classified as a Bronze Medal of Valor). Sergeant Kristensen and Officers Coleman and Daily arrested three holdup men. The suspects held up (robbed) a guest house. The Sergeant and Officers observed a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car and gave chase. They forced the suspect vehicle to the curb and ordered the suspects to exit the vehicle. The suspects exited the vehicle; however, it was necessary for the Officers to disarm the one of the armed suspects. All suspects were placed in custody. Throughout his life Andy told stories of his time on the Police Force. He enjoyed serving his community and said it was the best job ever. After his retirement from the San Francisco Police Department, Andy went to work for his son Ken, and worked in construction building Highrise buildings in San Francisco. He enjoyed the next chapter of his life as he was able to work and spend time with his son. In 1999, he and his wife Jacqueline moved to Boise, Idaho to start the next chapter in their lives. Andy integrated into the Boise community quickly and volunteered his time to the Boise Police Department. His true passion in this life chapter was volunteering to read with children at Longfellow and Pierce Park Elementary Schools. Andy was married to Jacqueline for 73 years and he always stated how lucky he was to have her and wanted to make sure she would be taken care of after he passed. Andy leaves behind his daughter Kathryn Lambert, and his sons Ken Kristensen and Ron Kristensen. Andy was preceded in death by his son Daniel, his brother Len, and his parents who are waiting for him. Andy had an infectious laugh, a warm heart, and will be missed by all who met him.
Daniel Emmet Tinney, age 92: Daniel Emmet Tinney was born on December 7, 1930 in San Francisco, California. Dan is listed as being a member of the R.R. Police (Rail Road?) prior to his career in the San Francisco Police Department. Dan entered the San Francisco Police Department at the age of 25 on April 16, 1956, and was assigned to Star #353. Dan worked the following assignments during his 30-year career: Taraval Police Station (July 9, 1956), Northern Police Station (May 4, 1972), Southern Police Station (November 4, 1979), Central Warrant Bureau (February 24, 1982). Dan retired with a service pension on February 28, 1986. AWARDS: For services rendered on February 20, 1981, with Lt. Vern McDowell, Inspectors Anatole Balmy, Donnie Hansen, Charles Hoenisch, Ken King, Ron Kern and John Sterling, and Officer Robert Henandez, set up a surveillance at 249 Duboce Street under the direction of Lt. McDowell. At 0330 hours, the team arrested the wanted suspect for Narcotics and a stolen firearm. As a result of this investigation and arrest, the team developed further information regarding the suspect and his criminal activities, which led to additional charges of a recent homicide 187 PC of a Muni bus driver, and the identification and subsequent arrest of an accomplice.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: The WOAA Board will attempt to have a Presidents Dinner for 2020 WOAA President Jim O’Meara. We have been backed up on our Presidents Dinners due the Covid-19 Pandemic. Past President Al Luenow just concluded his Presidency for the year 2021. The Covid-19 Pandemic is now spiking due to the Omicron Variant. This Pandemic has disrupted all of our lives and schedules and we will continue to adapt to the changes.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: Acting President Lou Barberini led our board in a moment of silence for passed members Andy Kristensen and Daniel Tinney, and for all our passed members. Vice President Barberini scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday February 8, 2022. We will meet via Zoom technology or at the San Francisco Police Officers Association if we are able to secure space at 1200 hours.
To All Members: Members have access to new beneficiary forms through our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES on our face page and follow the link. Print out the form and complete the form with all the requested information. The form must be signed by one of our board members (see roll call above), or by a Notary. Send the completed form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be reached by telephone at 415 681-3660. Each month we express our thanks and gratitude to the following people who impact our effort to bring you the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and your current San Francisco Police Officers Association Defense Administrator, Paul Chignell; Retired San Francisco Police Department Lieutenant, and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Department Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the San Francisco Police Officers Association Journal, Ray Shine, Risa Tom of the San Francisco Police Commissioners Office, David Ng of Personnel, and to San Francisco Police Officers Association President Tony Montoya who has graciously afforded us space at the POA building for quarterly meetings.