The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association met via Zoom technology on Tuesday June 9, 2020, at 1230 hours.
Roll Call: President Jim O’Meara, Vice President Al Luenow, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Rob Forneris, Ryan Walsh, Louis Barberini, and Leroy Lindo, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Trustee Ray Kane was excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Leroy Lindo made a motion to approve the May 2020 minutes from last month. Vice President Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Trustee Ray Kane responded the San Francisco Police Academy on June 17, 2020 and signed up 23 new applicants from the 269th Recruit Class. Secretary McDonough made a motion to accept the new members. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed and the following 22 applicants have been accepted as new members: Gabriel Artiga, Martin Barnes, Marcus Bradley, Kathleen Borg, Merter Bozkurt,Kassim Diab, Jiajun Huang, Lorena Jiminez, Brian Keaney, Steven Lin, Russell Lucia, Thomas Lyons ,Sky Schmierer Marquez, Destinee Martin, Mauricio Martinez, Jacob Menis, Andres Mondragon, Jeremy Morgan, Kiera O’Shea, Rachel Ramos, Jonathan Valdez, and Baylon Yee. The new members will be permanent WOAA members after they pass their probation period as San Francisco Police Officers. A new member will be dropped from the roll if they do not pass their probation status. The following suspended members paid their dues and late fees: Damon Keeve, Jacklyn Jehl, and Edward DelCarlo. Herman Clark and Susan Roth paid on time but were placed on Suspension due to a banking error. Clark and Roth are not carried as suspended members and do not need to be reinstated.Vice President Al Luenow made a motion to reinstate the suspended member who paid their dues and fines. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Edward DelCarlo, Damon Keeve, and Jacklyn Jehl are now members in good standing. Subsequent to our meeting I made a motion to reinstate suspended members Lawrence Mahar, Charles Miller, and Jordan Oryall, who paid their dues and fines. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Lawrence Mahar, Charles Miller, and Jordan Oryall are now members in good standing.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud the monthly bills and the beneficiary claims for recently deceased members Hike Kazarian, Wayne Kenzaki, and Frank Petuya. Trustee Rob Forneris made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed. Our portfolio has increased to $7,900,000.00 after incurring a decrease last year.Treasurer Dean Taylor received two donation checks in memory of Nick Marota. The donations were submitted by Sal and Fred Marota in the amount of $150.00.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of our following members:
James K. Barron, age 70: James K. Barron was raised in New York City and graduated from the Bronx High School of Sciences, and later Stoney Brook University as a Russian Major. James moved to California and studied Business and Pre-Med at the University of California at Berkely. James Barron entered the San Francisco Police Department on February 14, 1983 as a member of the 155th Recruit Class. James Barron graduated from the Police Academy on June 19, 1983 was assigned to Star #130, and worked the following assignments during his 19- year career: Northern Police Station (June 19, 1983), Potrero Police Station (October 2, 1983), Mission Police Station (July 17, 1985), and Ingleside Police Station (March 18, 2000). James was promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant on December 29, 2000, but incurred an industrial disability shortly thereafter. James retired with a disability pension on April 30, 2002. James was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 16, 1997. James and his partner Ronald Houle responded to a call of a mentally distraught man running along a rooftop. The Officers responded and ascended to the roof of the building to see this man running back and forth along an 18” rooftop ledge. The Officers were able to close their distance and grab the man who was a physically strong individual. The Officers risked their lives on the rooftop edge saving the man who was acting in a bizarre and erratic manner. James was predeceased by his mother and father, and is survived by one brother, two nieces, one nephew, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Mario Ceballos, age 69: Mario Ceballos was born on May 10, 1952 in Guatemala City, G.A. Mario entered the San Francisco Police Department on November 17, 1975. Mario was assigned to Star #329 and worked the following assignments during his 35 year career: Ingleside Police Station (April 18, 1976), P&T DP (November 17, 1980), Ingleside Police Station (July 26, 1981), Taraval Police Station (June 30, 1982), C I.D. Records/ Warrants (March 2, 1988), Ingleside Police Station (June 28, 1997), and Mario finished his with assignments to Permits, Park Police Station, and Taraval Police Station (dates were not available). Mario retired with a Service Pension on November 12, 2010. Mario resided in Texas after retirement. No further information.
Harry Keenan Jr., age 92: Harry Keenan Jr. was born on August 26, 1927 in San Francisco, California. He served aboard the USS Sepulga in WWII, Harry loved dancing to Big Band Music, RV-ing, and classic trains.Harry Keenan Jr. entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1949 and was assigned to Star #1444. Harry worked the following assignments during his 28-year career: Ingleside Police Station (July 18, 1949), Northern Police Station (August 31, 1953), Communications (November 1, 1960), Northern Police Station (July 1, 1976, promoted to the rank of Q-50 Police Sergeant), and to BCI (August 8, 1976). Harry was predeceased by his wife Erma, and son Brian; survived by children Jill, Guy (Lili), grandson Mark (Jen); and great-grandson Mason.
Mike Mullane, age 77: Michael J. Mullane was born on February 23, 1943 in San Francisco, California. Mike entered the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 1965 and was assigned to Star #151. Mike graduated from the Police Academy on September 5, 1965 and worked the following assignments during his 30 year career: Southern Police Station (September 5, 1965), Mission Police Station (November 1, 1966), Juvenile (July 16, 1969), Mike was promoted to Asst. Police Inspector on March 19, 1971, Inspectors Bureau (November 2, 1975), G.T.F. (September 13, 1977), Investigations Personal Crimes (June 21, 1978) and finally to the Homicide Detail. Mike Mullane retired with a Service Pension on April 15, 1995. Mike was promoted to full Inspector on January 3, 1977. Mike was awarded with a 3rd grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on November 29, 1968. Mike, with Officers Richard Anderson, James Curran, and Silvio Gordillo observed smoke billowing from a Store. The Officers notified dispatch to contact the San Francisco Fire Department. The Officers entered the apartment building that was located above the burning store and observed the apartment building to burning as well. The Officers awakened the sleeping tenants and assisted them to safety outside of the building. The Officers who risked their own lives, and were later treated for smoke inhalation, saved many lives and were later awarded with the 3rd grade Medal of Valor. Officer Mike Mullane was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 5, 1982. Officer Mullane and his partner John F. Murphy apprehended three-armed robbery suspects who had held up the California Federal Savings and Loan at 2600 Ocean Avenue. The pursuit, stop, and arrest of the three- armed robbery suspects was conducted in a textbook- style professional manner. Mullane and Murphy recovered over $2000 in stolen money and seized two loaded handguns, one ,22 caliber revolver and one 6,35 caliber automatic handgun. Mike was awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for an outstanding investigation on August 17, 1985. Inspector Mullane, with fellow Inspectors Frank Falzon, Carl Klotz, and Larry Dubour had conducted a Homicide Investigation at 1620 Eucalyptus Street. On this date Mr. Peter H. Pan and his wife were shot and killed in their bed. Mr. Pan’s wife had been raped prior to being shot and killed. The Inspectors searched for evidence and clues and later concluded that the crime manifested itself with similar characteristics of crimes that were committed by a serial killer in Los Angeles. California, described by the media as the “Night Stalker”. The Inspectors immediately notified the Los Angeles Police Department Homicide Detectives and compared clues and evidence with the Los Angeles cases. Realizing that the Night Stalker was the suspect in the Peter Pan case, the Inspectors traveled to Los Angeles and spent many hours studying the Los Angeles Night Stalker murder cases. Upon their return, the Inspectors were gathering more information when Inspector Dubour recalled a burglary on Baker Street that he investigated. He realized that his burglary case had similarities to the Night Stalker cases. The Modus Operandi was similar. Hours of further investigation from the Baker Street Burglary led to identifying the suspect as Richard Ramirez who was later confirmed as the Night Stalker killer. The Inspectors submitted fingerprints to the California Department of Justice who returned the Night Stalker’s identity. The fingerprints of Richard Ramirez were used to compare the fingerprints taken from the scene of the Los Angeles Night Stalker murders. The fingerprints matched the identity of Richard Ramirez, The Inspectors developed strong evidence tying Ramirez to the Peter Pan murder case and a warrant was issued for the arrest of Richard Ramirez. Newspaper and Television Stations were provided with a photo of Richard Ramirez and Ramirez was captured within hours in Los Angeles. Inspectors Mullane, Falzon, Klotz, and Dubour were awarded with the Meritorious Conduct Award for an exemplary investigation, which developed the identity of the Night Stalker Killer, and directly led to the capture of one of the State’s most dangerous and terrifying serial killers in its history.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: The Board has been unable to hold an honorary dinner for our 2019 outgoing President Ray Kane due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We will schedule a dinner for Ray when California grants us our Level 3 status
New Business: No report.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Jim O’Meara led our Board in a moment of silence for fallen members James Barron, Mario Ceballos, Harry Keenan Jr., and Mike Mullane and for all our fallen members. President O’Meara scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday July 14, 2020 at 1230 hours. It is likely that our meeting will be conducted via Zoom technology.
To All Members: A member who needs to make a beneficiary change can obtain a form from our website sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on the Resources Box on our face page and a link will appear. Please complete the form with all our requested information, and please date and sign the form. This new beneficiary form requires the signature of a WOAA Board Member or a Notary. Send the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at markmac825@comcast.net, or by cell phone 415 681-3660. We wish to express our thanks and gratitude each month to the following people who assist our efforts in providing customer service to our members: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current POA Defense Administrator, Paul Chignell, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the current host of the Gold Country Reaper Website, Rene LaPrevotte, Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the POA Journal, Ray Shine, David Ng of Personnel, Risa Tom of the Police Commission Officer, and the entire Traffic Solo Command and its Officers who generously provide us a location for our meetings and files.
