The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association held their monthly meeting on Tuesday November 12, 2019. The meeting commenced at 1230 hours at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, in
room #150 in San Francisco, California.
Roll Call: Vice President Jim O’Meara, Secretary Mark J. McDonough, Trustees Al Luenow, Rob Forneris, Ryan Walsh, Lou Barberini, and Leroy Lindo were present. President Ray Kane, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused. Kane, Taylor, and Foster were available and were contacted by phone. Vice President O’Meara assumed the Chair of President and began our meeting with a Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from our October 2019 meeting. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new members, no suspensions or reinstatements.
Communications and Bills: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to pay the regular monthly bills. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. There were no paid beneficiary claims this month.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We heard the sad news of the passing of the following members:
Dennis V. O’Connell, age 85: Dennis Valentine O’Connell was born on Valentine’s Day February 14, 1934 in San Francisco, California. His father Michael and mother Margaret were born in County Kerry, Ireland, and Dennis was the third of six children. Dennis grew up in the Mission and Excelsior Districts in San Francisco and graduated from Riordan High School in 1952. After serving in the Coast Guard, and working as a purchaser for a wholesale plumbing business, Dennis joined the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 1957. Dennis graduated from the Police Academy on September 23, 1957 and wore star #128. Dennis worked the following assignments during his 31 year career: Potrero Police Station (September 23, 1957), Northern Police Station (May 19, 1958), Mission Police Station (February 23, 1959), Northern Police Station (October 4, 1959), Mission Police Station (November 6, 1961), Central Police Station (July 19, 1970), Inspector’s Bureau (April 16, 1972), Central Police Station (September 22, 1974), Ingleside Police Station (October 31, 1976), Potrero Police Station (November 17, 1976), Co. K. (October 2, 1978), Communications (March 21, 1979), and Youth Services (July 15, 1979. Dennis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant of Police on June 13, 1979, and to the rank of Police Inspector on November 19, 1982. Dennis retired as a Police Inspector on July 8, 1988. During his career, Dennis walked a beat, drove a 3 wheeler at the Giants games at Candlestick Park, worked the Beatles last concert, encountered demonstrators at San Francisco State University, and worked undercover Vice. Dennis was a loyal fan of the San Francisco 49ers, and loved many sports. Dennis played baseball in his youth and became a fan of the Pachuca Club later in life. Attending the 1985 Super Bowl at Stanford was a highlight in his life. He enjoyed duck hunting, abalone diving, and Jazz Clubs. He loved cooking dinner and hosting parties. He and his wife Shirley enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, and Spain. Awards: Dennis, and his partner Gregorio Cruz were awarded a 2nd Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on November 27, 1958. On this day Dennis and Cruz were able to disarm a man who had a loaded firearm. The insane person threatened to shoot the Officers and himself. Cruz and O’Connell prevented a suicide and perhaps saved their own lives.Dennis, with Sergeant Sheridan Williams and Officer Michael Casey were awarded a 3rd Grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on July 19, 1964. Williams, Casey, and O’Connell responded to an armed robbery of a Safeway Store. The Officers observed the described suspect walking down the street and rushed him. The Officers disarmed the suspect and placed him in custody. The Officers seized a loaded .32 caliber handgun from the suspect, who had a long criminal record. Dennis is survived by his son Jeffrey (Catherine), his sister Irene DeMaria, and his brother Thomas (Marilyn), his sister in laws Barbara and Ellen, and by his former wife Joanne Heidohrn. . Dennis is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Donald J. Lando, age 92: Donald J. Lando was born in San Francisco, California on December 11, 1926. Don, a third generation San Franciscan, grew up in San Francisco and was a graduate of Galileo High School. Donald J. Lando was a veteran of World War II. Don is listed as being a Standard Station Salesman prior to entering Law Enforcement. Don joined the San Francisco Police Department on March 1, 1958, at the age of 31. Don wore star #767. Don worked the following assignments during his nearly 29 years with the S.F.P.D.: Potrero Police Station (June 9, 1958), Richmond Police Station (April 27, 1959), Taraval Police Station (January 6, 1960), and Ingleside Police Station (July 19, 1978). Don was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on June 13, 1979. There is no record of Don’s assignments from July 19, 1978 through his retirement of July 4, 1986. Don retired with a service pension. Don was awarded with a 3rd grade Medal of Valor for services rendered on September 25, 1965. Don responded to a call of a Burglary in progress. He arrived at this destination and met with the occupants of the residence who informed him that a man had forced his way into their home by threatening them with a gun that he had in his pocket. They told Lando that the suspect rushed into their daughter’s room when he heard the Police response. Lando forced open the door and ordered the suspect to surrender. Lando threatened to shoot the suspect who then surrendered and was placed in custody. Sergeant Don Lando and Officer Leroy Henry were awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on Friday November 10, 1978. On that day at 1655 hours, Lando and Henry responded to 1159 Bosworth Street on a call of a Burglary in progress. The entered the premises and began their search. They saw the movement of a shadow on a wall and heard what sounded like a gun being cocked. Officer Henry then saw the suspect pointing a gun at him and immediately took cover. Sgt. Lando was standing around the corner from the suspect and shouted “Police”. The suspect realizing there were two Officers present, threw down his firearm and surrendered. The suspect was placed into custody and the Officers seized the firearm. Don passed away peacefully his home on November 13. 2019 surrounded by his family. Donald was the son of the late Stephen and Frances (DeMartini) Lando, and is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Shirley Cunningham Lando, four children Christine Lando Marshall (the late Albert), Stephen, Matthew, and Theresa, He received great joy and pleasure from his four grandchildren- Michael, Brett (Megan Yamashiro), Gianna Lando Dunne (John Patrick “Daddy” Dunne), and Leigh M. Marshall. He is also survived by retired S.F.P.D. brother-in-law Lloyd Cunningham, and Nephew Vince Repetto.
Mike Toropovsky, age 62: Michael A. Toropovsky was born in San Francisco on February 26, 1957. Mike passed away peacefully at the age of 62. His beloved partner Marlene Heideck remained by his side during his last days with the same love and devotion the two have shared the past 10 years. Mike was born to Alexander and Galina Toropovsky. Mike had many hobbies which included skiing, corvettes, boating, 4-wheeling, and baseball. He enjoyed spending time in Lake Tahoe/Incline Village, Nevada, and Sundays at the movie theatre. Mike was an avid sports fan of the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors. Mike graduated from George Washington High School and Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Academy. He enlisted in the Marines. During his 3 years of active duty, he served in the evacuation of Saigon. After his discharge from the Marines, Mike worked for 10 years with the Search and Rescue Patrol in Heavenly Valley, California. Mike joined the San Francisco Police Department on September 2, 1986. Mike wore star #2036 and worked the following assignments during his 19 year career: Southern Police Station (December 30, 1986), Mission Police Station (April 18, 1987), Tenderloin Task Force (March 30, 1991),Crime Prevention (May 12, 1996), Park Police Station (September 28, 1996), Taraval Police Station (July 7, 1999), Ingleside Police Station (April 14, 2001), V.C.T.F. (February 15, 2003), Ingleside Police Station (May 24, 2003), Northern Police Station (April 17, 2004),Ingleside Police Station (July 17, 2004), Taraval Police Station (July 17, 2004, same date for both Ingleside and Taraval), and Support Services (November 3, 2004). Mike retired on February 1, 2005 due to an Industrial Disability and received a Disability Pension. Mike and his partner Jerome DeFilippo were awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered in 1991 (awarded on January 3, 1992). The Officers, on patrol at 5:45am, observed smoke billowing from a Tenderloin Hotel. Toropovsky and Defilippo gained access to the building by using the fire escape to the 2nd floor. Fighting off dense smoke and impaired vision and breathing, the Officers went door to door to alert and evacuate residents. The Officers forced a locked door and discovered a very elderly man who was unaware of the fire. All residents of the building were led to safety. Mike was awarded with another Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on January 2, 1993 when he removed an unconscious man from his vehicle that was engulfed in flames after the vehicle had crashed into a building. Risking great danger to himself, Toropovsky was successful in saving the life of the unconscious driver and carrying him to safety where he received treatment. Mike, with Sergeant Pat Tobin, and Officers Paul Lozada, David Nastari, Ron Banta Steven Murphy, and Mary Burns were awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on January 29, 1995. On that day Officers Lozada and Nastari were driving through the Tenderloin District when they observed a pedestrian walking across a red light at Turk and Leavenworth. Lozada slowed his vehicle and advised the pedestrian to wait for the light to turn green. The pedestrian responded with: “f-ck you…you Mexicans” and then brandished an automatic pistol. The suspect pointed the gun at the Officers and said: “I’ll kill you punks”. Officer Lozada immediately drove his vehicle in serpentine mode as to avoid being a sitting target. The Officers notified Headquarters and provided a description of the suspect(s). Lozada and Nastari circled the block and observed the suspect and his companion hiding behind a parked van at Eddy and Taylor Streets and watching a nearby marked Police vehicle. Lozada drove toward the suspect’s location. The suspect and his companion fled with the suspect drawing his weapon and pointed it at the Officers. Lozada identified himself as a Police Officer and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. The second suspect escaped in another direction while the armed suspect fled eastbound on Eddy Street from Taylor. The armed suspect reached the Eddy Street corner as Sgt. Tobin and Officers Burns, Banta, Murphy, and Toropovsky arrived at the same location. Lozada yelled that the suspect was in possession of a gun. The suspect reached into his waistband to draw his firearm when he was tackled by Officer Ron Banta. Tobin, Murphy, Burns and Toropovsky moved in to assist Banta in placing the suspect in custody. They seized the loaded firearm. Mike Toropovsky and Mike Koltzoff of the Canine Unit were awarded a Gold Medal of Valor for services rendered on August 18, 1995. Mike and Mike were working late at night on that day and responded to a shooting that occurred in a homeless encampment in Golden Gate Park. Officer Frank Harrell of Richmond Police Station responded. The three Officers met with a witness who led them on a dirt path through the darkness and deep into the park to a concealed homeless encampment. The Officers called out to the suspect in an attempt to communicate with him. The suspect responded with epithets and refused to obey their commands. The Officers were 10-20 feet from the suspect who was concealed in the vegetation. Officer Koltzoff continued to order the suspect to come out with a promise of sending in his dog Sendy. The suspect did not cooperate. Officer Koltzoff, after several failed attempts to verbally order the suspect to comply, coupled with the warnings of sending in his dog, did then order Sendy to enter the suspect’s immediate area in an effort, to locate him. The Officers could hear Sendy attacking the suspect followed by gunshots. The Officers took cover and again heard Sendy engaging the suspect. More shots were fired followed by Sendy’s whimpering. During the shooting Mike Toropovsky sensed two bullets to have nearly missed his head. The Officers returned gunfire at the muzzle flash made by the suspect’s firearm. The shooting stopped for a moment and Koltzoff observed Toropovsky to be bleeding. Toropovsky had sustained a gunshot to the right thigh. Koltzoff fired at the suspect allowing Toropovsky to crawl out of the firefight and summon for help. Koltzoff held his position to keep the suspect from escaping and to direct and assist supporting Officers who would respond to the call for help. The shooting ceased and a standoff began which lasted through the hours of darkness until 6:00 am. The suspect then surrendered. SWAT Teams and Hostage Negotiators arrived during the standoff but their efforts were met with silence from the suspect. Their tactical placement was directed by Officer Frank Harrell who led them through the darkness and most likely in vulnerable areas during their advancement before they took cover. The suspect was taken into custody at dawn’s light and the Officers recovered the suspect’s .357 revolver. The fire fight had taken place within a distance of 20 feet through the thick vegetation. It was also discovered that Koltzoff’s Police Dog Sendy had been shot and killed by the suspect. Toropovsky was wounded and narrowly missed serious injury and death. Mike Koltzoff, never knowing if his position was vulnerable to the suspect, and facing great danger remained in position for 5 hours until the incident concluded. The Officers and Sendy the dog met great danger with bravery to its highest degree. Sendy’s Star Number was subsequently retired and a memorial plaque is displayed at the range in his memory. Sendy also received a heroism award from the SFPCA. For their efforts, actions, and bravery, Mike Toropovsky and Mike Koltzoff were awarded with the Gold Medal of Valor, and Frank Harrell was awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor. Years later, Mike Toropovsky was awarded with a Purple Heart Award from the San Francisco Police Department. Mike spent his life serving and protecting. For those who had the honor of knowing him, know the true meaning of friendship and the gift he had of making you feel cared for and important. He will be truly missed.
Special Committee: No this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: Secretary Mark McDonough nominated Jim O’Meara for President in 2020. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed. Secretary McDonough nominated Trustee Al Luenow for 2020 Vice President. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed. Secretary McDonough nominated Dean Taylor for 2020 Treasurer. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed. Secretary McDonough nominated President Ray Kane for the open 2020 Trustee position. Trustee Al Luneow seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: Vice President O’Meara led our board in a moment of silence for the passing of Dennis V. O’Connell and Mike Toropovsky, and for all our fallen members. Vice President O’Meara then scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday December 12, 2019, and adjourned the meeting.
To All Members: Members can access new beneficiary forms at Widowsandorphans.org. Locate RESOURCES on the face page. Click on Resources and the link will appear for the beneficiary form. Please complete the form with all your contact information and mail it to: WOAA, P.O. Box 4247, San Rafael, California 94913-4247. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660, or by email at Markmac825@comcast.net. We give our monthly thanks and gratitude to the following people who assist us in providing service for our members: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and currently the 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, Risa Tom of the Police Commission Office, David Ng of Personnel, and the Traffic Solo Command Staff and Officers who graciously afford us the space for our meetings and files.
