The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday May 13, 2025, at 1100 hours, on Zoom.
Roll Call: President Leroy Lindo, Vice President Ray Kane, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Jim O’Meara, Lou Barberini, and Ryan Walsh, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were present. Trustees Maureen Leonard and Rob Forneris were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to accept the minutes from our April meeting. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Vice President Ray Kane presented the WOAA to the 284th Academy Class for membership. Ray signed up 18 applicants of the 21 classmates The applicants will not become full members until completing their probation phase. Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to accept the new applicants. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Ray signed former member Lauren Nelson who reapplied for a new membership. Ray made a motion to accept Lauren Nelson as a new member. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed. We welcome Lauren Nelson back to our membership. Letters were sent out the list of Suspended members. The list appeared in this column last month. There are no new suspensions. By a motion from Trustee Rob Forneris, a 2nd from Trustee Jim O’Meara, and a vote by our Board, the following Suspended members were reinstated after they paid their dues and fines: Ed Carew, Christina Busalacchi, Carolyn Gassen, James Gratz, Eric O’Neal, Roberto Salinas, Robert Springer, John Wallace, Carmen Walsh, and William Wieger.
Communications and Bils: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud our monthly bills including the remaining bill for our audit, and beneficiary claims. The beneficiaries of passed members Ray Hilvert, David Gardner, Kelvin Brown, and Samuel Craig processed the death benefit claims. Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to pay the bills and claims. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Thank you letters were mailed to the estate of Carla Campodonico and to Sal and Fred Marota for their generous donations to the WOAA.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: Kelvin Brown, age 91: Kelvin Robertson Brown was born and raised in Kanab, Utah on April 7, 1934. Kelvin graduated from Kanab High School. Kelvin married Carol Dean Olsen on June 21, 1954. They had 6 children together. Kelvin’s first job after graduation was at a Candy Factory in Salt Lake City. During his Candy Factory employment, the found his way to the Salt Lake City Police Department. His first position with the Salt Lake P.D. was a Typist in the City Prison. When Kelvin turned 21, he took the test for the Police Officer position. He also served in the Utah National Guard. In 1961 he applied and accepted a job with the San Francisco Police Department and worked to 1984 when he retired at the rank of Police Lieutenant. After retirement Kelvin opened a tax and accounting business and retired again at the age of 80. Kelvin was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Kelvin is survived by five of his children Karol Miller, Kelvin Brown Jr. (Carol), Kenneth Brown (Deborah), Kathe Brown, and Kristina Ashoo. Kelvin was preceded in death by his wife Carol Dean Olsen Brown. Kelvin joined the San Francisco Police Department on January 9, 1961 and was assigned to Star#1237. Kelvin worked the following assignments during his 23- year career: Central Police Station (April 17. 1961, Park Police Station (February 19, 1962), Potrero Police Station (April 1, 1968 promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant), Ingleside Police Station (May 4, 1972), Mission Police Station (August 9, 1972), Park Police Station (June 17, 1973), Records (February 8, 1979 promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant), Park Police Station (March 26, 1980), Investigations (May 11, 1981), Kelvin retired on July 24, 1984. AWARDS: Sergeant Kelvin Brown was awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on February 7, 1971 when he demonstrated outstanding leadership and judgement when called to investigate the call of a person screaming for help. The building had been booby-trapped with a bomb which exploded upon Kelvin’s approach. Due to Kelvin’s expert leadership no person was injured at the incident.
Nicholas J. Bettencourt, (age 58: Nicholas J. Bettencourt was born on April 26. 1967. Nicholas J. Bettencourt entered the San Francisco Police Department on November 29, 1999 and was assigned to Star# 1395. Nick worked the following assignments during his 23-year career: TTF (January 29, 2000), Mission Police Station (April 15, 2000), Park Police Station (May 12, 2001), Potrero Police Station (November 24, 2001). Special Ops (February 23, 2002), F.O.B. (August 18, 2002), Potrero Police Station (August 30, 2002), Homeland Security (August 9, 2008), Op Center (February 10, 2012), Homeland Security (March 24, 2012), H.S.U, (May 30, 1972),
John J. Comisky, age 83: John J. Comisky was born on April 11, 1942 in San Francisco, California. John worked as a Clerk prior to entering a career in Law Enforcement. John entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1964, and was assigned to Star#1599. John worked the following assignments during his 13-year disability-shortened career: Southern Police Station (September 7, 1974), Central Police Station (September 19. 1965), Southern Police Station (August 1, 1967), Ingleside Police Station (February 10, 1969), Tactical (November 3, 1969), Park Police Station MTD (January 26, 1970), Richmond Police Station MTD (August 23, 1970), CPHC MTYD (February 28, 1971), BCI COMM. (November 13, 1974), Crime Prevention (December 11, 1974), Richmond Police Station (January 4, 1976), CSTF (February 15, 1976), John J, Comisky retired with a Disability Pension on July 19, 1976.
Albert W. DeBrunn, age 94: Albert W. DeBrunn was born on May 22, 1930 in San Francisco, California. Albert was a Tax Clerk prior to entering into Law Enforcement. Albert W. DeBrunn entered the San Francisco Police Department on January 22, 1960 and was assigned to Star#1831. Albert worked the following assignments during his 9-year career: Southern Police Station (April 11, 1960), BSS (September 17, 1966). Albert W. DeBrunn resigned from the San Franciso Police Department on February 3, 1969. AWARDS: Officers Albert W. DeBrunn and James D. Puccetti were awarded with 3rd Grade Medals of Valor for services rendered on January 15, 1965. DeBrunn and Puccetti conducted a three-day investigation on a murder suspect. DeBrunn and Puccetti arrested the suspect on January 18, 1965. Five days later, Officers DeBrunn and Puccetti made an arrest for which they were awarded another 3rd grade Medal of Valor. On January 23, 1965, DeBrunn and Puccetti entered a building as they searched for an armed robbery suspect. The suspect robbed a Taxi driver and fled. DeBrunn and Puccetti found the suspect hiding on the 3rd floor and placed him in custody.
Marc Higa, age 60: Marc M. Higa was born on July 22, 1964 in San Francisco, California. Marc attended West Portal Lutheran School, Riordan High School, and San Francisco State University where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. Marc was a member of the San Francisco Sheriffs Department for approximately two years. He left the SFSO for the San Francisco Police Department. Marc entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 8, 1998. Marc was assigned to Star#194 and worked the following assignments during his 26 plus years career: Mission Police Station (January 6, 2001), Richmond Police Station (May 12, 2001), Taraval Police Station (June 8, 2002), Park Police Station (April 14, 2025). Marc never married and had no children, but he was an outstanding Uncle to his brother Rick’s daughters, and to his Sister Lisa’s daughter. Marc is survived by his older Sister Lisa, and his younger brother Rick (AFOB-K9 Unit).
Patrick M. O’Shea, age 88: Patrick Michael O’Shea was born on March 11, 1937 in San Francisco, California. Patrick graduated from Sacred Heart High School and furthered his education in Criminal Justice from a local College Institution (no school identified). Patrick married the love of his life, Gayle, on March 3, 1962. Patrick had a long and dedicated career in law enforcement with the San Francisco Police Department, where he served with honor and integrity for 32 years. He had a deep passion for public service, family, and community. Patrick is survived by his sons Kevin, Daniel, and Sean, his grandchildren Jackson O’Shea, Cameron Hamel, and his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Saenz, as well as beloved family and friends. Patrick Michael O’Shea entered the San Francisco Police Department on March 1, 1960. Patrick was assigned to Star#756 and worked the following assignments during his 31-year career: Mission Police Station (October 10, 1960), Park Police Station (November 6, 1961), Richmond Police Station (January 14, 1963), Co. K AIB (December 31, 1964), Co. K H&R (November 24, 1971). Patrick was promoted to the rank of Police Inspector on November 17, 1977, and promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant on May 7, 1980. Patrick Michael O’Shea retired with a service pension on July 20, 1990. AWARDS: Officers Patrick M. O’Shea, Salvatore M. Marota, Richard L. Henson, and Frank E. McNitt Jr. were awarded with 3rd Grade Medals of Valor for services rendered on September 5, 1963. O’Shea, Henson, Marota, and McNItt combined their efforts to rescue a man and prevent him from falling to his death on a rock wall above the Pacific Ocean near the slide area of the Palace of Legion of Honor. Officer Patrick M. O’Shea, with Officers Thomas A. McGrath and Stanley J. Odmann were awarded 3rd Grade Medals of Valor for services rendered on April 20, 1968 when they pursued and captured two armed suspects who were involved in an earlier shooting.
William J. Simms, age 77: William J. Simms was born in San Francisco, California on February 1, 1948. Bill’s previous occupation prior to a law enforcement career lists him as a “Guard”. William J. Simms entered the San Francisco Police Department on July 28, 1975 and was assigned to Star#1471. He worked the following assignments during his 32 plus year career: Richmond Police Station (December 28, 1975), Tactical (January 10, 1989). There is no record of Bill’s transfer to the Mounted Unit, however, he reportedly spent many years at that assignment. Bill retired with a service pension on January 11, 2008. AWARDS: Officers William J. Simms and Roy K. Sullivan were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Thursday February 1, 1979 at 2315 hours after conducting their “on street” investigation for a robbery that had just occurred on Clement Street. Simms and Sullivan, having prior knowledge of a similar robbery that had occurred weeks prior recalled the suspect and vehicle description. Simms and Sullivan spotted the suspect vehicle and set up a surveillance. They then located both male and female suspects and arrested both for multiple robbery charges. Officers William J. Simms and Roy K. Sullivan with Inspector Joseph I Goyton were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on Tuesday August 21, 1979 for an apprehension of a robbery suspect who had robbed Cone’s Ice Cream store at 2205 Clement Street. Cooperation of supporting Police Units and the follow-up investigation on the part of Simms, Sullivan, and Goyton resulted in the speedy arrest of the suspect. The arrest cleared up 9 robberies and possible 3 more. Bill was a San Francisco Native and grew up in the Sunset District. He was a decorated war veteran with 4 Bronze Stars (amongst other medals) for his military service in Vietnam from 1968-1070. Bill’s hobbies define who he was. Bill loved Hawaii, music, barbequing, Joe’s of Westlake, and Bay Area Sports. Bill was an avid San Francisco Giants fan and spent many summers with his family attending games. Bill had great memories of sitting by the beach in Hawaii with his family. Bill’s memory will live on in the wonderful memories of those privileged enough to have met and knew him. He shared his infectious smile and warm heart with so many family members, friends and loved ones and his family finds comfort knowing how many lives he impacted with the love he shared.
He is survived by his wife Sharon of 39 years, his children Harry and wife Alison (Emma, Rylee, and Abey), Kathryn, Kelly, and Jason with spouse Priscilla (Nick and Taylor). He is also survived by siblings Diana and Husband Mark, and Theresa and husband Bradley and Stepfather Joseph. Bill was preceded in death by his mother Florence, and his Stepmother Madeline.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Lindo led our board in a moment of silence for our recent and all past deceased members of the WOAA. President Lindo adjourned the meeting. President Lindo scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday June 10, 2025.
To All Members: To access a new beneficiary form, please use our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES and follow the link. Print out the form and provide all requested information. Send the form WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660. Each and every month, we received support and assistance from the following people that help provide the best customer service possible: Retried San Francisco Police Captain and the defense Administrator for the San Franciso Police Offices Association (SFPOA), Paul Chignell; Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the host of the Gold Country Reaper email, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Police Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, Ray Shine; Maggie Wang of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commission Office.
