The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday March 8, 2022. The meeting commenced at 1200 hours via Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Rob Forneris, Vice President Lou Barberini, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Secretary Mark J. McDonough and Trustee Maureen Leonard were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to accept the minutes from our February 2022 meeting. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no suspensions this month, however, all unpaid members after March 31, 2022 will be suspended on order of President Forneris at our April 2022 meeting. A letter of suspension will be mailed to each suspended member. The letter will be sent to the most current address they have provided to the WOAA. Any suspended member who has relocated their address without notifying us will only receive this notice if they have set up a forwarding process with the U.S. Postal Service. At this time, the WOAA has 161 unpaid members (107 retired, 54 active) The names of all unpaid members will be published in this SFPOA Journal, from our April meeting minutes. Trustee Ryan Walsh made a motion to reinstate dropped member Rob Moore. Rob Moore has paid his back dues and fines, and sent us a note from his physician that he is in good health. Vice President Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed to reinstate Rob Moore. Welcome back Rob Moore.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the bills. Trustee O’Meara made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills, and the four benefits claimed by the beneficiary (s) of recently deceased members Andrew Kristensen, Carl Payne, Karl Richmond, and Dennis Schardt. President Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed. The WOAA 2021 Summary Annual Report is available for viewing on our website ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Any member can view and print the report from the website, or can request a copy by contacting me. I will mail a copy to any member who makes this request.
Report of Visiting Committee: Secretary McDonough attended the Viewing for recently passed member Barbara Davis-Regan. Secretary McDonough met with Barbara’s son and extended condolences on behalf of the WOAA. The Viewing was well attended. Several of Barbara’s contemporaries were present along with several retired San Francisco Police Officers, family and friends. One retired Police Chief, two retired Deputy Chiefs, one Commander, and several high-ranking retired members were present at the time of Secretary McDonough’s visit.
Report of Trustees: We recently received the sad news that our following member has passed away:
Barbara Davis-Regan, age 73: Barbara Jackson was born on December 23, 1947, in San Francisco, California. Barbara was a Deputy Sheriff prior to career with the San Francisco Police Department. Barbara entered the San Francisco Police Academy on July 28, 1975, and was Ingleside Police Station (February 16, 1976), Personnel/Academy (March 7, 1977), Northern Police Station (July 20, 1983), Academy (Promoted to the rank of Police Inspector and transferred on August 24, 1983), Mission Police Station (August 5, 1985), Investigations (promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and transferred), Vice/ Narcotics (July 12, 1986), Ingleside Police Station (July 21, 1990), Mission Police Station (January 5, 1991), General Work Detail/ loan to Public Affairs (November 21, 1992), Taraval Police Station (April 26, 1997), Potrero Police Station (promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant on September 13, 1997), DVRU (Domestic Violence Response Unit) (August 5, 2000), Administration (August 3, 2002). Barbara retired with a Service Pension on March 12, 2004. No further information was provided for Barbara’s obituary.
Donald J. Schneider, age 86: Don “Duke” Schneider was born in San Francisco, California on July 22, 1935. Don is listed as being a General Clerk prior to his Law Enforcement career. Don entered the San Francisco Police Department on January 18, 1965 and was assigned to Star #606. Don worked the following assignments during his 25-year career: Park Police Station (April 5, 1965), Central Police Station (March 21, 1966), and Northern Police Station (November 19, 1973). Don retired with a service pension on November 24, 1989. AWARDS: Officers Donald J. Schneider and Clarence N. Williams were awarded a 3rd Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on March 16, 1969. While on patrol in the Central Police District, Duke and Clarence observed flames coming from the top floor of an old hotel. The Officers responded immediately running through the building and banging on doors to alert the occupants. They awoke the sleeping tenants and led more than 30 occupants to safety through the smoke and flames. Both Officers were treated for smoke inhalation and burns. Donald J. Schneider was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Saturday December 11, 1971 at 1700 hours. Duke, along with Lieutenant Joe Lordan, Sergeants Owen Kenny and Elmer Schenck, and Officers Robert J. Cardinale, James P. Collins, Michael G. Edmond, James T. Evans, and Robert G. Shepherd combined their efforts to investigate an armed robbery. The Officers sealed off all avenues of escape, located and arrested the suspects. Subsequent to the arrest, the Officers recovered stolen property from the crime, and a large amount of narcotics from the suspects. No further information was provided for Don’s obituary.
Report of Special Committee: Treasurer Taylor and Administrative Assistant Foster will make an effort to ensure that members can effectively pay their dues via Zelle or Venmo accounts.
Old Business: A dinner honoring Past President O’Meara will be scheduled for April 2022. We will then be on schedule for honoring our Presidents per year.
New Business: Treasurer Taylor and Administrative Assistant Foster will create Zelle and fine tune Venmo on our website for member’s dues payments.
Good of the Order: Secretary McDonough participated in the SFPD Retirement Seminar via zoom technology on Wednesday March 23, 2022/ Secretary McDonough reminded retiring members that they will be billed through the mail after retirement and that any address changes should be forwarded to the WOAA. Secretary McDonough also reminded members to check their listed beneficiary (s) and to make changes if necessary. Secretary McDonough provided his email address. Secretary McDonough answered all emails sent by Seminar members in regard to checking their beneficiary(s) and emailed new beneficiary forms upon request to Seminar members.
Adjournment: President Forneris led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen members. Forneris scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday April 12, 2022.
To All Members: Any member can change their beneficiary designation at any time. A new beneficiary form can be accessed from our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Click on the Resources link and print out the form. Complete the form with all required information and obtain a signature of a Notary or by one of our Board Members (see Roll Call for Board Members). Send the form to WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. We wish to express our gratitude each month to the following people who assist the WOAA each month to bring you the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA) Defense Administrator, Paul Chignell; retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email that reaches thousands of active and retired Law Enforcement Officers, Rene LaPrevotte; retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal, Ray Shine; Risa Tom of the San Francisco Police Commissioners Office, David Ng of Personnel, and to SFPOA President Tony Montoya who has graciously offered the SFPOA building for periodic meetings.