The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday May 11, 2021. The meeting commenced at 1200 hours, and was facilitated by Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Al Luenow, Vice President Rob Forneris, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Lou Barberini, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, and Jim O’Meara were present. Trustee Ryan Walsh and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to approve the minutes from our last meeting on April 13, 2021. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new reported applications for membership. 2021 Suspension Letters were sent to the suspended members by Certified Mail yesterday. The names of the suspended members have appeared in the past two SFPOA Journals. There were no reinstatements. We will DROP suspended members if we do not receive their 2021 dues and assessed fines ($10.00 for every month past March 31, 2021). Any dropped member must pay their back dues and fines, and submit a document declaring the member to be in “good health” by a physician. Suspended members need only pay their dues and fines to retain their status as a member in good standing.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor read aloud our regular monthly expenses and three beneficiary claims of our recently passed members Ken Foss, Anthony J. Hartzer, and Bruce MacDonald. Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to pay the bills and claims. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, there have been no visitations to memorial services since March of 2020. We hope that State restrictions will recede allowing us all to properly attend services once again.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of two of our members:
Randall M. Wardlaw, age 83: Randall M. Wardlaw was born on March 1, 1938 in the State of Texas. Randall is listed as being a ‘Machinist” prior to entering law enforcement. Randall entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1964, and was assigned to Star #148. Randall worked the following assignments after graduating from the Police Academy on September 7, 1964: Potrero Police Station (September 7, 1964), Southern Police Station (September 19, 1965), Potrero Police Station (September 20, 1978). Randall was promoted to the rank of Q-50 Sergeant on June 13, 1979. There are no other assignments listed therefore I will assume Randall remained at Potrero Police Station after his promotion until he left the San Francisco Police Department on February 29, 1988. Randall was awarded a Third Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on August 13, 1967. Randall and his partner James Aligo subdued and arrested a man who had threatened them with a sharp knife. The suspect had “slashed” at the Officers several times before they were able to rush him. The Officers were prevented from using their service revolvers due to a large crowd that had gathered. Wardlaw and Aligo were able to place the armed and dangerous suspect in custody without harm to any citizens in the crowd.
Niklos A. Navarra, age 87: Niklos A. Navarra was born in San Francisco, California on October 18, 1933. Niklos was listed as a “Truck Driver” prior to his career in Law Enforcement. Niklos entered the San Francisco Police Department on October 22, 1958 and was assigned to Star #1756. Niklos graduated from the San Francisco Police Academy on March 9, 1959 and worked the following assignments during his 25-year career: Park Police Station (March 9, 1959), Northern Police Station (December 7, 1959), Ingleside Police Station (September 26, 1960), Park Police Station (January 23, 1963), Northern Police Station (March 7, 1963), Central Police Station (February 20, 1969), Richmond Police Station (August 22, 1976), and Central Police Station (October 9, 1977). Niklos A. Navarra retired with a service pension on October 23, 1983. I was unable to locate or receive any further information regarding Niklos A. Navarra.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Unfinished Business: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Luenow led our Board in a moment of silence for all our fallen members. Luenow scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday June 8, 2021.
To All members: Members can access our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org for information, to make annual dues payments, and for beneficiary forms. A member can click on the Resources box on our face page, and follow the link. Print out the form, complete the form and obtain the signature of a Board Member or a Notary. Mail the form to WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. On behalf of our WOAA Board, I express our thanks and gratitude to the following people who assist our efforts in bringing the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and current defense administrator for the SFPOA Paul Chignell, Officer Matt Lobre of the San Francisco Police Department and the San Francisco Police Officers Association, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant Rene LaPrevotte who utilizes his Gold Country Reaper email to communicate thousands of current and retired Police Officers, 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 the entire Traffic Solo Command and Officers who afford us room for our meetings (pre Covid) and files.