The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department held their monthly meeting on Tuesday September 10, 2019, at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street in San Francisco, California. The meeting commenced at 1230 hours.
Roll Call: President
Ray Kane, Vice President Jim O’Meara, Secretary Mark McDonough (Conference
Call),Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees Al Luenow, Rob Forneris, Lou Barberini,
Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo were present. Administrative Assistant Sally Foster was
excused.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to accept the
minutes from our last meeting on August 13, 2019. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded
the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: President Ray Kane
and Trustee Ryan Walsh responded to the San Francisco Police Academy and
presented the WOAA membership to the 264th Recruit (Lateral) Class.
Ray and Ryan accepted all six members of the class who signed a WOAA
application. Trusteee Lou Barberini made a motion to accept all six applicants
to the WOAA. Trustee Rob Forneris seconded the motion. The motion passed
without objection. There were no suspensions. The WOAA received back dues and
fines, and a note of good health from a physician from the following dropped
members: Arthur Conger. President
Kane proclaimed the mentioned member as a reinstated member in good standing.
Jordan Oryall is a member in good
standing. Last month, in ERROR, I reported that Jason Oryall was an unpaid
member. My apology to Jordan for the error.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor read aloud the monthly
bills and beneficiary claims from our recently passed members. Taylor presented
a lunch bill for the members who graciously volunteered their time to count
votes on our By-Law and Constitution re-write measure. Dean also presented the
bill for our annual website bill and the paid beneficiary claims for the
following passed members: George Bonano, Gerald Blume, Hank Fikkers, Richard
Kain, Fred Kozy, William Parenti, and William Winters. Trustee Lou Barberini
made a motion to pay the bills and beneficiary claims. Trustee Rob Forneris
seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. Donations: In the honor of fallen member Jeffrey Patrick Brogan,
donations were received from the following donors: George Sumner and family,
Bobbi Odegaard, and Gene and Patrice Hambelton.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA received the sad news of the passing of our
following members:
Gerald Blume, age 86: Gerald Robert
Blume was born in San Francisco and is listed as a Sheet metal worker prior to
Law Enforcement. Gerald entered the San Francisco Police Department on October
16, 1957 and was assigned to star #127. Gerald worked the following assignments
while employed in the San Francisco Police Department: Central Police Station
(November 29, 1957), The Police Academy (January 2, 1958), Park Police Station
(February 24, 1958), Ingleside Police Station (January 19, 1959), Potrero
Police Station (October 19, 1959), Southern Police Station (September 7, 1964),
and closed out his 11 year career at Northern Police Station (October 3, 1965).
Gerald retired with a Disability Pension on June 30, 1968. Gerald was awarded
one 2nd grade Medal of Valor, and three 3rd grade Medals
of Valor. For services rendered on January 30, 1961, Gerald was awarded the 2nd
grade Medal of Valor for rescuing occupants from a burning building. For
services rendered on May 9, 1963, Gerald was awarded a 3rd grade
Medal of Valor for the arrest of an armed suspect with a rifle who threatened
to shoot a man. For services rendered on November 20, 1964, Gerald was awarded
a 3rd grade Medal of Valor for the arrest of an armed suspect who
attempted to rob a Bus Driver. The suspect attempted to pull a gun from his waistband
during the arrest. Gerald and his partner were able to rush the suspect, disarm
him, and make the arrest. For services on July 19, 1967, Gerald was awarded
with his third 3rd grade Medal of Valor for the arrest of three
suspects who had committed a series of robberies.
William Winters, age 92: William Joseph Winters was born in Buffalo, New
York and is listed as a Student prior to Law Enforcement. William entered the
San Francisco Police Department on July 5, 1950, was assigned to star #1753,
and worked the following assignments during his career: Potrero Police Station
(July 17, 1950), HDQ M/L (February 4, 1952), Southern Police Station (December
14, 1953), Park Police Station (Promoted to the rank of Sergeant and
transferred May 16, 1955), HDQ Planning (July 26, 1955), HDQ Crime Info
(November 27, 1956), and Potrero Police Station (September 23, 1957). William
resigned from the San Francisco Police Department on July 1, 1958 to accept a
position with the Fremont Police Department.
Report of Special Committee: The WOAA would like to thank the members who
volunteered their time to count the votes on our By-Laws and Constitution
re-write proposal, and also to thank the entire WOAA Board who patiently and
diligently endured discussions, disagreements, and decisions on this project
for the better part of nine years. My thanks go out to Past President Robert
Maddox for initiating this project, and to Past President and our current
Administrative Assistant Sally Foster for volunteering to Chair the project and
bring it to a successful conclusion.
Old Business: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Kane led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for
Gerald Blume and William Winters, and for all our fallen members. President
Kane scheduled our next monthly meeting for Tuesday October 8, 2019. The
meeting will be held at the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street, room #150, in
San Francisco, California.
To All Members: Beneficiary forms may be accessed from our website sfwidowsandorphans.org.
Click on the RESOURCE box on our face page and the link for the form will
appear. Please complete the form with contact information, your address, and
your choice of beneficiary. The Form requires a signature from you, and a
signature from a Notary, or a WOAA Board Member. We take a moment each month to
offer our thanks and gratitude to the following people who provide help and
assistance to our organization on a monthly basis: Retired San Francisco Police
Captain and currently a member of the San Francisco Retirement Board, Al
Casciato, Retired San Francisco Police Captain and currently the POA Defense
Administrator, Paul Chignell, Retired San Francisco Police Lieutenant and the
currently the 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 Commissioner’s Office, David Ng of Personnel,
and finally to the entire Traffic Command for graciously affording us the
necessary space for our files and meetings.