The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday November 7, 2023. The meeting commenced at 1130 hours via Zoom technology.
Roll Call: President Lou Barberini, Vice President Ryan Walsh, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Leroy Lindo, Jim O’Meara, Maureen Leonard, and Rob Forneris were present. Trustee Ray Kane and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Rob Forneris made a motion to accept the October 2023 Minutes. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications or suspensions. Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to reinstate the following dropped members, Richard Araujo, Josh Cabillo, Gretchen Parker, and Gary Peachey who paid their back dues and fines, and submitted a report of good health from his physician. Trustee Maureen Leonard seconded the motion. The motion passed. Welcome back Richard, Josh Cabillo, Gretchen, and Gary.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the outstanding bills and beneficiary claims of recently deceased members David Connell, Ray Koenig, and Harry Wielen. Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Secretary McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed. Treasurer Dean Taylor made a motion for the WOAA to assess the cost of certified letters to the unpaid members who have been dropped from the roll. Secretary McDonough seconded the motion. The motion passed. Dropped members who seek reinstatement are required to pay their back dues and fines, submit a document of good health from their physician, and must pay the cost of our certified letters.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the passing of the following member:
Michael A. Androvich, age 69: Mike Androvich entered the San Francisco Police Department on June 18, 1990. Mike wore Star #893, and worked the following assignments during his 23 -year career: Northern Police Station (July 6, 1990), Mission Police Station (October 7, 1990), Ingleside Police Station (August 3, 1991), and Special Operations (December 10, 2011). Mike retired with a Service Retirement on December 19, 2012. AWARDS: Officers Michael Androvich and Brian Normandy were awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on September 26, 1992 at 0030 hours. Androvich and Normandy received information of a subject riding a motorcycle and firing gunshots into a store window on San Jose Avenue. The Officers responded to Acton and Mission Streets where they observed the suspect on his motorcycle at a bus stop. They approached the suspect on foot and ordered him to not move. As Androvich and Normandy closed the distance to approximately ten feet, they observed the suspect grip a silver covered revolver in his waistband. Androvich and Normandy observed innocent bystanders in the line of fire and they moved a safer position. Androvich, with his weapon drawn, moved toward the suspect. The suspect took his hand off his firearm and drove his motorcycle at the Officers. Normandy ran at the suspect to stop him. The suspect drove by Normandy and ran head on into Androvich and brandished his firearm from his waistband. The force of the collision knocked Androvich’s weapon from his grasp. Androvich grabbed the suspect at the time of the collision and was able to wrestle him off his motorcycle. Androvich struggled with the suspect on the ground while Normandy was able to enter the struggle and disarm the suspect. The suspect was subdued and placed in custody. The suspect’s .357 magnum revolver was recovered. The suspect was in possession of ammunition for his weapon. Androvich and Normandy were awarded with Bronze Medals of Valor. Officer Michael Androvich and his partner Moses Gala were each awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for services rendered on March 17, 1997. Sergeant Robert Del Torre was awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor for this same incident. Androvich and Gala alerted Sgt. Del Torre that they observed 10 suspicious subjects drinking alcohol in a public parking lot. Androvich and Gala informed Sgt. Del Torre that two of the individuals were known Parolees and that they believed that drug transactions were taking place. As Officers Androvich and Gala approached the group, on subject ran while holding an object in his waistband. Sgt. Del Torre and Officers Androvich and Gala gave chase after the running subject. The Officers chased the subject in the back yard area of a nearby residence and observed the subject, now a suspect, pull a .9mm semi-automatic hand gun from his waistband and point it at Officer Androvich, then at Officer Gala, and finally at Sgt. Del Torre. Sgt. Del Torre fired three shots at the suspect striking him in the right hand causing the suspect to drop his firearm. The suspect turned and fled. Androvich recovered the suspect’s firearm and gave chase with Gala and Del Torre. The Officers were able to catch up to the fleeing suspect and place him in custody after a brief struggle. Due to a large hostile crowd that had formed, the Officers were forced to transport the suspect out of the area before summoning medical assistance. Sgt. Del Torre was awarded with a Silver Medal of Valor, and Officers Androvich and Gals were awarded with a Bronze Medal of Valor for their actions and bravery. Officers Michael Androvich, Moses Gala, Craig Wilson, and Eric O’Neal, and Sergeant Robert Del Torre were each awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award for an Outstanding Investigation. The award is listed for 1997 but no dates are provided for the incident. Sgt. Del Torre and Officer Seth Riskin were on a surveillance when they observed a suspect vehicle from an earlier car-jacking drive past them. The suspects had used a shotgun in the commission of their crime. Del Torre and Riskin followed the suspect vehicle and call for back-up. Officers Androvich and Gala arrived and assisted in the vehicle stop. The four occupants of the vehicle were detained without incident and transported to Ingleside Police Station for further investigation. All four suspects were interrogated at the Station and admitted that they knew the vehicle they had been riding in was stolen. Additionally, one of the suspects admitted his involvement in the car-jacking. The investigating Officers were then joined by Officers Wilson and O’Neal and went back into the field with the first suspect who pointed out the homes of the other two car-jacking suspects. The first suspect also took the Officers to his home and directed them to the hidden shotgun he used in the car-jacking crime. The shotgun was seized and subsequently booked into evidence by the Officers. While still in the first suspect’s home, Sgt. Del Torre noticed marijuana “roaches” and paraphernalia, and obtained consent from the first suspect’s father to search for additional evidence. Sgt. Del Torre located a bag containing approximately one pound of marijuana, and also located additional baggies containing marijuana and additional loose marijuana. The father admitted that the contraband belonged to him, and admitted that he was the neighborhood supplier. The Officers responded to the home of the second suspect and observed a strong odor of marijuana and subsequently located a “stash” of both marijuana and currency, both of which were seized and booked. The Officers then responded to the home of the last car-jacking suspect and located a Beretta 9mm handgun, 71 rounds of ammunition and numerous “gang” photos all of which were seized and booked for evidence. The above listed Officers were awarded with a Meritorious Conduct Award which recognizes Outstanding Investigations. Officer Michael Androvich was awarded with his second Meritorious Conduct Award for an Outstanding Investigation for services rendered on March 8, 1999. Androvich, with his partner Moses Gala, and Officers William Braconi, Daniel Gibbs, Eric Vintero and Frank Valiquette combined their efforts and were all awarded with the Meritorious Conduct award. On March 8, 1999 and 86-year-old woman was found brutally murdered in her home on Norton Avenue. It was later determined that the victim was sexually assaulted prior to being beaten to death. The Officers saturated the area near the Norton Avenue location and conducted door-to-door interviews of all nearby residents. Officers Vintero and Valiquette developed information that a local subject had been frequently seen near the victim’s home, and Officers Androvich and Gala developed information that the same subject was seen near the victim’s home just a few days earlier on March 5th. Officer Braconi and Gibbs used the above listed information and continued to work the case. They located a homeless man who identified the local subject in question as David Silva. Braconi and Gibbs conducted a computer search for Silva and discovered he had an outstanding felony arrest warrant, and was also listed as the main suspect in a sexual assault of an 80-year-old woman on the same block of Norton just two years earlier. Braconi and Gibbs made contact with the assigned Homicide Inspectors who instructed them to locate Silva and arrest him on his outstanding felony warrant. Braconi and Gibbs located the homeless man and he told the Officers that Silva resided somewhere on Paris Street. The Officers canvassed the area and developed information that the suspect lived at 382 Paris Street. Braconi and Gibbs responded to 382 Paris Street and were informed by the resident that Silva lived in a storage area under her stairway. Braconi and Gibbs located Silva in the storage area and placed Silva under arrest. The Officers involved in this investigation were awarded with the Meritorious Conduct Award. Officers Michael Androvich, Moses Gala, and Arshad Razzak were awarded with the Meritorious Conduct Award for an Outstanding Investigation. The Meritorious Conduct Award with Androvich’s third. On November 3, 1999, Ingleside Units responded to 200 Edinburgh Street on a call of shots fired with several victim’s shot, one critically. The victims who were kidnapped, robbed, and finally shot, described the suspects to the Officers at the scene. Two Officers at Ingleside Police Station who were extremely familiar with many gang members in the district were Officers Androvich and Gala. Sergeant Robert Del Torre contacted Androvich and Gala at their homes as they were off- duty at the time. Androvich and Gala provided Del Torre with the names of two of the described suspects. Del Torre forwarded the information to the Officers handling the robbery/shooting. Inspectors Hance and Yick provided Officers Androvich and Gala the following information: that one of the suspects had been positively identified as a suspect in the kidnap/robbery/attempted homicide that occurred on November 3, 1999. Inspector’s Hance and Yick advised Sergeant Del Torre, and Officers Androvich and Gala that the suspect was to appear in court on November 23, 1999. On November 23, 1999, Officers Androvich and Gala observed the suspect in court. The suspect soon exited the courtroom and was detained by Androvich and Gala. The suspect resisted arrest but was subdued after a violent struggle. The suspect was armed with a concealed dagger. Over the next few weeks, Sergeant Del Torre, and Officers Androvich, Gala, and Razzak developed valuable information regarding the location of the second suspect. They conducted a surveillance on the suspected individuals involved in harboring the dangerous felon. The Officers developed information where the suspect was hiding and subsequently located him and placed him under arrest. Officer Michael Androvich was also awarded five times with a Police Commission Commendation. For services rendered on September 19, 1992, Officers Androvich, Jim Riordan, Michael Lau, and Judith Riggle were awarded for the arrest of an armed robbery suspect who was in possession of a .38 caliber revolver at the time of the arrest. Officer Androvich was awarded with his second Police Commission Commendation for his actions during the tragic shooting death of Officer James Guelff on November 13, 1994 at Pine and Franklin Streets. Officer Androvich was awarded with his third Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on November 13, 1996. Officers Androvich, Moses Gala, William Braconi, Davin Cole, and Oscar Carcelen, and Sergeant Charles Siani, and Lieutenant Anthony Fotinos were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation. A young juvenile was approached by two men who identified themselves as undercover Police Officers. The suspects drove their kidnapping victim to 13 Santa Marina Street where he was shackled, tied up, and threatened with a handgun. The victim was left alone but was able to free himself the following evening. The victim was able to summon the Police from a neighbor’s home. Sergeant Siani arrived with Officers Jiminez and Cole and ascertained the facts. Sgt. Siani collected evidence, secured the crime scene, and formulated a plan. They maintained a surveillance on 13 Santa Marina Street. Lt. Fotinos arrived with Officers Androvich, Gala, Carcelen, and Morrow who entered the garage at 13 Santa Marina Street awaiting the suspects. Officers Cole and Braconi stopped a female leaving 19 Santa Marina Street and were able to gain information while determining that she was not involved in the kidnapping. A short time later, two suspects arrived and opened the garage door to 13 Santa Marina Street. The suspects were taken into custody by the Officers in the garage. Minutes later the other two suspects arrived and were taken into custody prior to entering the residence. Officer Androvich was awarded with his fourth Police Commission Commendation for services rendered o November 22, 1996. Officers Carlos Cordova and Leonard Morrow responded to the Wells Fargo Bank at 4648 Mission Street and arrested a suspect for check fraud. The Officers learned that the suspect obtains stolen mail and creates false identifications, opens bank accounts, and obtains fraudulent credit cards in the names of the stolen mail victims. The suspect then uses the fraudulent checks. On November 23, 1996, Sergeant Robert Del Torre with Officers Androvich, Moses Gala, Oscar Carcelen, William Braconi, Eric Leal, and Leonard Morrow executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and seized a large quantity of stolen mail, a briefcase containing methamphetamine, and numerous credit cards, identifications, and numerous counterfeit checks all in the names of the stolen mail victims. They also seized the keys to three U.S. Postal Boxes, and a computer with 117 discs. Sgt. Del Torre, and Officers Androvich, Gala, Morrow, Carcelen, Leal, and Cordova were all awarded with a Police Commission Commendation. Officer Michael Androvich, and his partner Officer Moses Gala, were each awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered in 1998 (no date on Police Commission Report). Officers Androvich and Gala were awarded for their work and dedication in making over 200 felony arrests in the past year. They also made 150 misdemeanor arrests, recovered 25 stolen vehicles, and confiscated over 50 weapons. Highly respected among their peers, both Officers remain extremely calm in crisis situations. They display absolute loyalty to their Supervisors, take pride in their assignments, and are always team players. Androvich and Gala had an outstanding relationship with Investigators in the Gang Task Force, the Homicide Detail, the Robbery Detail, and the Narcotics Detail. Officers Michael Androvich and Moses Gala have received high praise from Judges, assistant District Attorneys, and also from Defense Attorneys for their professionalism.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: Secretary Mark McDonough made a motion to nominate the following Board member for the WOAA Board positions: Ryan Walsh for Board President (seconded by Trustee Maureen Leonard), Leroy Lindo for Board Vice President (seconded by President Lou Barberini), Dean Taylor for Board Treasure (seconded by Trustee Maureen Leonard)., and Lou Barberini for the open Trustee position (seconded by Trustee Maureen Leonard). There were no other nominations on the floor. The nominations were then closed. The vote was unanimous for each nominee for our 2024 Board positions.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Barberini scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday December 12, 2023. The meeting will be held on Zoom technology at 1130 hours.
To All Members: Members may access a new beneficiary form from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on RESOURCES on the face page and follow the link. Please complete the form with all the required information. Please have the form NOTARIZED and mail it to our business address at WOAA, P.O. BOX 4247, San Rafael, CA 94913-4247. I can be contacted at (415) 681-3660. The WOAA Board expresses their gratitude by acknowledging following people who assist our efforts in providing our Members with the best customer service possible: Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the Defense Administrator for the San Francisco Police Officers 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 SFPOA Journal, Ray Shine; David Ng of Personnel, and Kristine Singh of the Police Commission Office. Thank you for your continued assistance for our membership.