The Widows’ and Orphans’ Aid Association held their monthly meeting on Thursday September 16, 2021 at 1700 hours. The meeting was held at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club at 1630 Stockton Street in San Francisco, California. After the meeting, the Board convened to the Firenze by Night Restaurant in North Beach to honor Leroy Lindo as our President in 2018. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, were unable to honor 3 of our Presidents.
Roll Call: President Al Luenow, Secretary Mark McDonough, and Trustees Lou Barberini, Ryan Walsh, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, and Jim O’Meara were present. Vice President Rob Forneris, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Administrative Assistant Sally Foster were excused.
Approval of the minutes: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to accept the minutes from our August 2021 meeting. Trustee Lou Barberini seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions and Reinstatements: There were no new applications, and no suspensions. Trustee Jim O’Meara made a motion to reinstate Darius T. Jones, who paid his back dues and fines. Trustee Ryan Walsh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Darius Jones is now a member in good standing.
Communications and Bills: The regular monthly bills, and the death benefits for the beneficiaries of Sylvia David, William Gay, and Paul Juul were read aloud. Trustee Lou Barberini made a motion to pay the bills. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Report of Visiting Committee: Trustee Jim O’Meara attended the services for Steve Ryan. Jim stated that the service was well attended and that there were a few members of the Command Staff in attendance. Jim stated Steve’s wife gave a very moving tribute in her speech at the service.
Report of Trustees: The WOAA Board received the sad news of the following members who have recently passed away:
Harris, Stanley D., age 87: Stanley D. Harris was born in Stockton, California. Stanley worked as a Menlo Park Police Officer prior to working in the San Francisco Police Department. Stanley joined the San Francisco Police Department on June 16, 2021. Stanley wore Star #1554 and worked the following assignments during his 32- year career: Northern Police Station (September 5, 1965). Co. K AIB (July 19, 1970), Co. K Solos (February 13, 1980). Stanley retired with a service pension on January 24, 1997. Stan was awarded a Silver Medal of Valor for services rendered on Tuesday September 6, 1977 at 1405 hours. Stan was working off-duty as a Teller for the Bank of America. Stan heard a death threat directed toward the trainee at the Teller window next to him. He heard the suspect state that he will kill the Teller. Stan, believing he observed a bank robbery attempt, pushed the silent alarm button, and then identified himself to the suspect and directed the suspect to a particular area within the bank. The suspect grabbed Stan and a physical struggle ensued resulting in both men falling down a flight of 12 stairs. Stan was able to subdue the suspect and place him under arrest, while sustaining broken ribs in the process. Stanley D. Harris, at the expense of his own physical harm, was able to arrest the bank robbery suspect and was awarded the Silver Medal for his dedicated and heroic actions.
Matt Krimsky, age 62: Matthew S. Krimsky entered the San Francisco Police Department on September 19, 1980. Matt was assigned to Star #1424. Matt worked the following units during his 32-year career: Academy (January 4, 1982), Parking and Traffic (January 19, 1982), Academy March 26, 1982), Park Police Station (August 22, 1982), Potrero Police Station (December 5, 1982), Southern Police Station (December 1, 1985), Potrero Police Station (February 3, 1986), Taraval Police Station (1990), Potrero Police Station (March 20, 1993), Potrero Police Station (July 31, 1993), ( promoted to Q-35 Police Inspector and transferred to Night Investigations), TTF Detailed to the Police Academy (January 10, 1999), Taraval Police Station (January 17, 2003), Ingleside Police Station (January 18, 2003), Taraval Police Station (May 24, 2003), Academy (August 23, 2003), Investigations (August 30, 2003), Night Investigations (November 8, 2003), Auto Detail (January 29, 2005), Academy (February 20, 2010). Matt retired on August 31, 2012. Matt was awarded a Commission Commendation with Officers Randy Flannery and Robin Matthews for services rendered on Wednesday October 9, 1985. The Officers responded to a call for assistance for an incident involving a Pit Bull dog attacking two children ages 10 and 8. The mother was trapped in her basement by the blood covered snarling dog. The Officers decided to transport one boy to the hospital immediately and the other boys remained at the scene. The Officers responded to the basement and drew the dog’s attention to themselves and away from the mother before discharging their weapons. The dog was neutralized and put out of its misery. The boy’s mother was rescued and also taken for treatment. Matt was awarded a Bronze Medal of Valor with Officer Donald Hicks for services rendered on Wednesday May 6, 1987 at 1316 hours. The Officers drove to Quesada Street where they observed 2 badly damaged vehicles. One vehicle was on fire with an unconscious and trapped occupant. The interior of the vehicle was filled with smoke as the fire increased. Matt broke a side window and was able to perform CPR on the occupant while Hicks attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. Matt was able revive the unconscious occupant and Hicks put out the fire. The San Francisco Fire Department arrived and used the Jaws of Life to open the vehicle and safely extract the trapped person. The Officers risked their own lives to save the life of the trapped occupant, and knowing that the vehicle could explode at any second. Matt was awarded with the Life Saving Award for services rendered on June 21, 1991. Officers Krimsky and Lindsey Suslow performed CPR on an 81-year-old male who suffered cardiac arrest. The Officers revived the man who survived the night in the hospital and was listed as being under a guarded position the following day. Matt was awarded a Police Commission Commendation for services rendered on August 29, 2006, when a troubled man left his residence in his vehicle and struck a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk on Freemont Boulevard in Fremont. The victim was propelled up onto the hood of the driver’s vehicle causing his head to violently strike the windshield and then fall to the pavement. The victim did not survive. The driver fled the scene onto I80 crossing the Bay Bridge into downtown San Francisco. The driver then in a span of 18 minutes, intentionally ran down and struck 18 innocent persons on the street prior to being taken into custody at California and Laurel Streets after colliding with a Police Vehicle. The suspect was interviewed by Homicide Inspectors and was booked and charged with 39 criminal violations. There were 68 witnesses and 18 different crime scenes. From the moment that the tragic incident (s) was received, the coordination between the Bureau of Inspectors became the immediate goal. Matt Krimsky and several other Offices were awarded with a Police Commission Commendation. I had the pleasure of riding with Matt only once on a midnight shift at Night Investigations. I learned everything I could know, and everything I should know about felony vehicle accident crime scenes, while enjoying a highly entertaining evening of Matt’s unique sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Ryan, Steven, age 58: Steven P. Ryan was born on July 21, 1963 in San Francisco, California. Born and raised in San Francisco, Steve attended St. Cecilia Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School, and San Francisco State University. Steve was an Electrician by trade until he joined the San Francisco Police Department on November 28, 1994, and wore Star #1536. Steve worked the following assignments during his 22-year career: Taraval Police Station (August 12, 1994), Tenderloin Task Force (August 10, 1996), Airport Canine (February 5, 2000), Airport FOB (April 24, 2000), Airport Investigations (January 22, 2003), Airport FOB (September 24, 2005), Airport Investigations (September 8, 2006), Airport FOB (February 1, 2010). Steve was an avid sports fan of the 49ers, Giants, and Warriors. Steve passed away on August 27, 2021 with his wife Shauna by his side, after battling a long illness. Steve is survived by his loving wife Shauna, and two children Ronan, and Riley. Steve is the loving son of Peter and Eileen Ryan, loving brother of Anne Marie and Kevin (Karen), loving son-in-law of Sherry and Ed Clevenger, brother-in-law of Logan and Cami (Jacen), and uncle to Braeden, Piper, and Maverick. Steve also leaves numerous aunts and cousins in Ireland, England, New York, and California. He had numerous friends who fondly referred to him as “Coach”, and would stop to chat with anyone he crossed paths with.
Tyrrell, Thomas, age 82: Thomas Frederick Tyrrell was born in San Francisco. Tom worked as a shoe salesman prior to joining the San Francisco Police Department. Tom joined the SFPD on October 1, 1962, and wore star #369. Tom worked the following assignments during his thirty-three plus years: Park Police Station (November 23, 1962), Central Police Station (March 2, 1964), BSS (November 5, 1965) Inspector’s Bureau (December 18. 1967), Star # changed to 1109 (August 12, 1969), Intelligence (January 2, 1972), Promoted to the rank of Police inspector on July 1, 1976, Promoted to the rank of Sergeant on June 13, 1979, Investigations Personal Crimes (July 23,.1980), Vice Crimes (September 24, 1980), Vice Crimes-Prostitution, S Squad (October 7, 1981), P&T SL (July 26, 1982), S Squad (October 6, 1982), Juvenile (August 10, 1983. Report of Special Committee: No report this month.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: The WOAA Board held a small dinner to honor Trustee Leroy Lindo for the service as our President in 2018. Due to the Covid Pandemic, we were unable to hold 3 dinners for our Past Presidents. Leroy exhibited leadership and organizational skills for our Board. Leroy has remained with the Board as a Trustee.
Adjournment: President Al Luenow led the WOAA Board in a moment of silence for our brothers who recently passed away, and for all our past members who are deceased. President Luenow scheduled our next meeting for Tuesday October 12, 2021. The meeting will held per Zoom technology.
To All Members: Members can access new beneficiary forms by printing a form from our website at sfwidowsandorphans.org. Click on Resources on our face page and click on the link. Please complete the form and have it signed by a Notary or one of our Board Members. I can be contacted at (415) 681-3660. We give our monthly thanks and gratitude to the following who assist us each month. Retired San Francisco Police Captain and the current Defense Administrator of San Francisco Police Officers Association, Paul Chignell ; Retired San Franciso Police Lieutenant and the current host of the Gold Country Reaper email, Rene LaPrevotte; Retired San Francisco Sergeant and the long-standing editor of the SFPOA Journal Newspaper, Ray Shine; Risa Tom of the San Francisco Police Commissioners Office, David Ng of Personnel, and one more thank you to the entire Traffic Command and their Officers who allowed us the use their lunch room for meetings and our files. Traffic will be moving from their location in the very near future.