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Texas’ Largest Police Union
Vo l . X X X X N o . 1 2
The Publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union
www.HPOU.org
December 2014
The President’s Message
Read These Words:
Ray Hunt
HPOU Does Not
Negotiate
Pension Benefits
An anonymous website recently sent me questions to answer
regarding a number of issues including DROP for younger officers.
The website listed half truths and some outright lies.
We have been advised that the website was started and is being
funded by two former members of the HPOU. I have not and will not
respond directly to the site’s questions.
This Christmas season Central Supply’s Kid’s Motorcycle Raffle will benefit Blue
Santa for the first time. Officer David Mireles, Blue Santa himself, was recently
approached by Central Supply, 1410 Washington Ave., and asked if donating
this year’s raffle proceeds to HPD’s special program would be a good idea. With
a big smile, Mireles said, “It’s an OUTSTANDING IDEA! They brought it to my
attention and I let them run with it. That’s what they want to do from here on.”
Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and available at Central. The drawing
for the battery-operated motorcycle will take place on Dec. 22. You do not have
to be present to win. Blue Santa (Mireles) will be present for pictures if officers
want to bring the kids.
Houston Police Officers’ Union
1600 State Street
Houston, Texas 77007
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 7227
I will, however, respond to any member’s questions or concerns. I
remain available by phone, email or in person at the HPOU building
on State Street. We also have our general membership meeting on
the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. and always open the
floor up for any questions.
We have argued for years that IAD should not be accepting
complaints from anonymous sources. The same persons involved
in this site probably despise the anonymous complaints as well, but
choose to remain anonymous for their “cause”.
The primary complaint on this site concerns DROP. One of the
questions sent to me directly addressed DROP, the specific question
being, “Will HPOU negotiate on behalf of officers to regain DROP?”
This is the same question we are asked each time we address
cadets at the academy. While it’s completely reasonable for a cadet
to ask this question, it still shocks me that some officers think the
HPOU had anything to do with losing DROP.
Non-profit Statement: Badge & Gun is published monthly at no subscription charge.
Send Correspondence and Address Changes (include mailing label)
To: BADGE & GUN 1600 State Street Houston, TX 77007. Telephone: 713-237-0282.
Page 1A Badge & Gun • December 2014
I know of no HPOU board member who thinks officers hired after
Oct. 9, 2004 should not have DROP. Our 2nd vice president and other
board members were hired after that date. The HPOU, however,
is prohibited from negotiating pension issues. Pension issues are
negotiated solely by the Houston Police Officers’ Pension System
(HPOPS) trustees and City of Houston under a separate Meet and
Confer contract.
Continues on Page 5A
HPOU Board of Directors
Executive Board
Ray Hunt
Doug Griffith
1st Vice-President
[email protected]
President
[email protected]
Joseph Gamaldi
2nd Vice-President
[email protected]
Will Reiser
Secretary
[email protected]
Board Members
J.G. Garza
Director 1
[email protected]
Gary Hicks
Director 2
[email protected]
Jeff Wagner
Director 3
[email protected]
Robert Breiding
Director 4
[email protected]
David Riggs
Director 5
[email protected]
Terry Wolfe
Director 6
[email protected]
Don Egdorf
Director 7
[email protected]
Bubba Caldwell
Director 8
[email protected]
Joseph Castaneda
Rebecca Dallas
Timothy Whitaker Luis Menedez-Sierra Robert Sandoval
Stephen Augustine
Tom Hayes
Rosalinda Ybanez
Director 10
Director 12
Director 13
Director 15
Director 16
Director 9
Director 11
Director 14
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Bill Booth
Terry Seagler
John Yencha
Colton Peverill
Director 17
Director 18
Director 19
Director 20
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Mark Clark
Executive Director
[email protected]
Tim Butler
Treasurer
[email protected]
Cole Lester
Dana Hitzman
Joslyn Johnson
Randy Upton
Assistant Secretary 2nd Assistant Secretary
Parliamentarian
Sergeant at Arms
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
BADGE&GUN
Voice of the Houston Police Officers’ Union
Published monthly at no subscription charge
by the:
Houston Police Officers’ Union
1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007
Ph: 832-200-3400 • Toll free: 1-800-846-1167
Fax: 832-200-3470
E-mail: [email protected]
Website address: www.HPOU.org
Legal Department: 832-200-3420
Legal Dept Fax: 832-200-3426
Insurance: 832-200-3410
Badge & Gun is the official publication of the
Houston Police Officers’ Union. Badge & Gun is
published monthly under the supervision of its
Board of Directors. However, opinions expressed
by individual Board members or any other writer
in this publication do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the entire Board of Directors. Editorial
submissions are welcomed and encouraged.
All submissions must be received by the 7th of
the month.
ADVERTISEMENT IN THE BADGE &
GUN DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
A WARRANTY OR A GUARANTEE BY
THE UNION.
Editorial
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
from
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Badge & Gun
1600 State Street
Houston, TX 77007
Fax: 832-200-3470
and
Important Numbers
ATO: 713-223-4ATO
Badge & Gun: 832-200-3400
HPOU Offices: 832-200-3400
1-800-846-1167
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Legal Services: 832-200-3420
Legal Fax: 832-200-3426
email: [email protected]
www.hpou.org
Continues from Page 1A
The HPOU had absolutely nothing to do with losing DROP and no
member, other than the elected trustees for HPOPS in 2004, ever
voted to end DROP for new hires.
In 2004, then-Mayor Bill White gave the HPOPS trustees the
ultimatum of ending the benefit for new hires or laying off police
officers to balance the budget.
Their fiduciary responsibility at that time was only to the persons
currently in the plan. They voted accordingly. They now have that
same fiduciary responsibility to those hired since.
HPOPS Chairman Terry Bratton has repeatedly told me that he
favors improving the benefit for those hired since 2004 so long as the
funding is in place. I am confident the other trustees agree.
Besides my conversations with HPOPS trustees, I have been
unequivocal to the mayor and City Council that we must have a
retention program like DROP for those hired after 2004 or we are
going to lose quality candidates and officers.
Prior to DROP, many officers worked 20 years and then retired
to work elsewhere to supplement their income. This resulted in
experienced personnel leaving our department. This is going to
happen again if a retention benefit is not given to younger officers.
HPD will become a training ground for other departments as young
officers see a better benefit in other cities. As for future candidates
for HPD, this lost benefit sends many quality applicants to cities that
still offer DROP.
The HPOPS trustees must have actuary studies that show funding
sources before they can increase any benefit. Our trustees know
that one day those younger officers will be on the Pension Board
and will be making decisions about benefits for retirees. However,
as fiduciaries, they must ensure funding before any benefit can
be approved.
Everyone should remember this: No officer has ever retired with the
same pension he/she began their career under. Each person left with
a better pension than they were promised. I remain hopeful this will
also be true for those hired after Oct. 9, 2004. They have earned it just
like those hired before 2004 have earned it.
Current HPOU Negotiations
The HPOU Bargaining Team is still in negotiations with the City for
active officers’ pay and benefits. As a reminder, any contract we
negotiate must be approved by a majority of those voting. We will only
bring out a contract that we believe members will overwhelmingly
support. My statement last month that nothing has “already been
decided” is still valid as of this writing.
Don’t believe rumors!
January Meeting
As a reminder, the first Thursday in January is a holiday so the HPOU
general membership meeting will be on Jan. 8, 2015 at 11 a.m.
AN ‘AMIGO’ DEAL FOR YOUR SPORTS COLLECTIBLES!
Tom Kennedy is a long-time Houston
sports memorabilia dealer who doesn’t believe
in HPD Officers paying retail.
Here are some examples:
ITEM
Signed Duke Snider Ball
Signed Biggio Ball
Signed Bagwell Ball
Signed Stan
“The Man” Musial Ball
Signed Yogi Berra Ball
PRICE
$100
199
$149
‘AMIGO’ PRICE
$75
$165
$115
$199
$95
$135
$75
ALL SIGNED ITEMS COME WITH PSA DNA AUTHENTICATION!
CALL TOM FOR SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS 713-825-2273
Tom Kennedy’s Collectibles (Since 1972) at Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas
9950 Hempstead Road (The Old Penney Location in Northwest Mall)
Essay: Where is the Outrage?
By BARBARA A. SCHWARTZ
Where are the protests? Why are there no picket signs? No riots? No
national TV cameras? No front page headlines?
Corporal Bryon K. Dickson of the Pennsylvania State Police was
gunned down, ambushed, murdered, assassinated.
He never saw, or knew, his executioner.
The evil shooter didn’t know Corporal Dickson personally, as a man,
a father, a husband, a son, or as a peace officer.
Corporal Dickson was shot and killed because he wore the uniform of
a police officer. Trooper Alex T. Douglass attempted to aid his fellow
trooper and sustained critical gunshot wounds because he wore the
same uniform.
The gunman aimed and fired to drive off anyone attempting to aid
Corporal Dickson. The evil shooter shot Corporal Dickson again, in
the head, to be certain he would die.
How is this different from a murder fueled by the color of a person’s
skin, or sexual preference, or religious beliefs?
The evil shooter murdered Corporal Dickson because he was a law
enforcement officer, because he wore a badge and the uniform.
Where are the protests? The demonstrators appalled by the murder
of this officer? Where are the news cameras?
Corporal Dickson’s funeral wasn’t carried live on cable news
networks. Why not?
Why is Corporal Dickson’s death not deserving of the coverage and
air time?
The manhunt for the shooter received minimal press. Most Americans
weren’t aware that the shooter was at large and still a threat to
society. Why didn’t citizens demand that every resource available be
used to bring the evil shooter to justice?
Unless citizens lived in the vicinity of the Pennsylvania woods where
the shooter was feared to be hiding and later captured, they didn’t pay
much attention to the manhunt.
Did the Attorney General of the United States visit Corporal Dickson’s
family? Did he bother to comment publicly about his outrage over this
murder? Why not?
Did the President of the United States comment at a press
conference about this crime? Why not?
Where is the public outrage?
The ACLU hasn’t protested Corporal Dickson’s murder. Weren’t his
rights violated? He was just showing up for work that evening.
Where are the Jessie Jacksons and Al Sharptons? Why are they not
outraged by this murder?
Hate fueled the shooter. Hate is hate, isn’t it?
We all know Michael Brown’s name, but does the average citizen
know the name of Corporal Dickson or Trooper Douglass?
Do you?
Why not?
Who controls the outrage? Who spawns the demonstrations? The
national news media? The World Wide Web? Twitter? Political
activists with their own agendas?
The shooter admitted assassinating Corporal Dickson as a political
statement. The evil shooter has been charged with murder and an
act of terrorism.
Where is the public outrage and protests over this act of terrorism?
Corporal Dickson lost his life because of the uniform he
wore, because he served the citizens of Pennsylvania as a law
enforcement officer.
He knew the risks involved every time he put on the uniform, but
his commitment to service doesn’t erase the hate that fueled
his murderer.
God forbid, the next time, the officer killed for wearing the badge and
uniform might be you.
Where is the outrage?
———————————————————————————————
Barbara Schwartz has dedicated her life to writing exclusively about
the brave officers of law enforcement.
Another Blue Santa
Distribution Reminder
HPD’s Blue Santa program will be distributing toys Dec. 8-20 from
8 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Distribution of the toys will take place at the central gym on the
weekdays, with the exception of Dec. 20. The program will provide
toys for children between the ages of 2 – 13.
“Please note that we will have very few packages, if any, for infants or
children above the age of 18,” coordinator Martha Bailey said.
“In the past we have tried to accommodate officers by providing
them with gifts for older children; however, due to the cost we will no
longer be providing for those two age groups.”
Bailey said that the family forms will be sent out to all stations “and
you can find them in the roll call room. Please understand that we
don’t have access to a fax machine at the gym so we will be unable
to fax you a form.”
But Family Forms and payroll deduction forms will be available at
the gym. All information MUST be completed for documentation
purposes, Bailey said.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact anyone of:
Officer Mireles at (713) 376-0905; Officer Davis at (832) 394-0308;
or Officer Bailey at (713) 731-5411.
You may also call the toys room at (713) 247-8730.
Chaplain Giddens Leaves Gun Collection
to HPOU for ATO Fundraising Auctions
By TOM KENNEDY
Chaplain Paul Giddens, who was always there for HPD officers and
their family members at all hours of the day or night, was a gun
collector who left a collection of handguns to benefit the Assist The
Officer Foundation.
Giddens served as a volunteer chaplain for HPOU from mid-2012
until he died unexpectedly on May 12. He will be remembered for his
unhindered determination to do the Lord’s work.
HPOU President Ray Hunt said this great man of God will be
remembered for another contribution he made to Houston police
officers. Hunt said Giddens’ will stipulates that his $5,000 handgun
collection and accessories be turned over to the HPOU. One gun will
be auctioned at each of any upcoming ATO fundraiser for an injured
officer in need “between now and the time they are gone,” Hunt said.
Giddens’ daughters were not interested in retaining the collections so
he made this special provision in his last will and testament.
Since he began his volunteer service, Giddens – who seldom missed
a Union general membership meeting — must have doled out
hundreds of his ever-present teddy bears to children, particularly
those of injured HPD officers and their families. The Union took note
of Giddens’ kindnesses and donated a few hundred dollars to help the
chaplain offset the cost of the bears. He never accepted the funding.
Giddens made it clear to many people in HPOU and in the Texas
Medical Center — where he ministered on a daily (and nightly) basis
—that he cared nothing about earning or taking any money; all he
cared about was doing God’s work to help Houston police officers
and their families.
“Nothing was beyond what he would do to assist officers or their
family members,” Hunt said in his remembrance of Giddens. “He
would make it a point to go by and visit them — not just one visit but
regular visits until their release.”
Support PAC,
It Pays Big Returns
Richardson Honored
as Investigator of the Month
HPOU honored Officer Terry Richardson as the Union’s Investigator
of the Month at the November general membership meeting.
Richardson serves as an Investigation First Responder (IFR) at Clear
Lake Station.
Sgt. R. R. Parker of Clear Lake outlined the reasons why Richardson
deserved the monthly honor. He said the officer was assigned to
follow up on an investigation involving arson and theft at Clear Lake
Community Church earlier in the fall.
“He got a bunch of evidence,” the sergeant stated, proudly. “He
discovered that suspects had burned a hole inside a restroom, wrote
graffiti on the walls and stole some gym equipment.
“Through social media he developed a suspect and four others and
got confessions from four of the five. Breaking in and doing what
they did resulted in eight felony charges and one misdemeanor —
four burglaries, four arson charges and one criminal trespass.” The
suspects included three adults and two juveniles.
Richardson learned from some of the church members that the
suspects were bragging about the event on social media. “That’s
how he developed all the suspects,” Parker said of the officer’s
investigation using social media.
Sgt. R.R. Parker of Clear Lake presents the Investigator of the Month Award to
Officer Terry Richardson at the November general membership meeting.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
On behalf of the Travis Manion Foundation, Capt. Greg Fremin presented two $15,750 checks to Mike Mitchell, left,
of the Assist The Officer Foundation and to Judy M. Chavez and HFD Capt. Sedrick Robinett of the Houston Fire
Fighters Burned Children’s Fund. Judy is the CEO of the Houston Fire Fighters Burned Children’s Fund. The Houston
Police Department’s version of the 9/11 Heroes Run — which recognizes military and first responder heroes across
the nation — has proven to be the biggest and most successful event of its kind in the nation. This means that it raises
more funds for organizations like these than any other 9/11 Heroes Run held last September. The presentations were
made at the November general membership meeting. GARY HICKS PHOTO
DON’T GET CAUGHT
without an ad in the
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Support PAC, It Pays Big Returns
Southwest’s Thanksgiving Event
Featured Star Athletes who Provided
‘Feast’ to Less Fortunate
Southwest Division carried on its Thanksgiving tradition of serving
500 free meals for less fortunate citizens in its service area as well
as numerous community supporters and sponsors.
Southwest Lt. Julie Manfre said the effort, known as the second
annual “Gratitude of Giving Thanksgiving Feast” took place at the
Power Center on Post Oak on Nov. 20. She said it is “motivated
by a desire to help less fortunate citizens within the Southwest
Community” and the purview of the Southwest Division’s Community
Services Unit/Differential Response Team.
The servers present included former Houston professional athletes
Steve Francis, Santana Dodson, Stan Petry, Marcus Spears and
Lamar Lathon. Also appearing was Karen Johnson, the mother of
Houston Texans star receiver Andre Johnson.
Sponsors for the event included:
•Professional Athletes, Celebrities and Entertainers Mother’s
Organization (P.A.C.E.)
•The Santana Dotson Foundation
•The Power Center
Manfree said, “In keeping with the HPD’s core values of Honor, Integrity
and Respect, the Southwest Division’s Community Services Unit/
Differential Response Team is a true reflection of the best inspired by
a giving spirit, commitment to the community and teamwork.
“It should be noted that special recognition should go to Senior
Police Officer Mary Young for her work as the organizer of this
successful event. I am proud of our Community Services Unit/
Differential Response Team.”
The ‘feast’ event drew a big crowd of HPD officers and many members of the
community they serve. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
Assistant Chief Troy Finner, front left, and Lt. Julie Manfre lead the
contingent of Southwest Division officers at the second annual “Gratitude of
Giving Thanksgiving Feast” Nov. 20 at the Power Center. Back row, left to right,
are Officer Ronald Prince, Officer Mary Young, Officer Sulei Johns, Sgt. Tim
Sutton, Officer John Ly, Officer Erica Dean and Officer Robert White.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
Servers at the Southwest ‘feast’
included former Houston Rockets
star Steve Francis and former Baylor
and NFL great Santana Dodson,
whose foundation was one of the
event’s major sponsors.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
Terry Bratton and Jim Conley
were partners for three decades,
establishing HPD’s best safety training programs
and using real line-of-duty death scenarios to teach important lessons
in Communications, Search, Lag Time, Cover, Equipment and Back-up
By TOM KENNEDY
By the end of the 173rd year of the Houston Police Department 112
men and women in blue had made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve
the safety of Houstonians.
The whys and wherefores behind these tragedies were often
complex. Yet, the analyses of these deadly incidences left the
department with valuable lessons used in the training of new cadets
and the never-ending education of seasoned police officers.
They often unfurled instantaneously at a crime or arrest scene when
the crook had an advantage of only one or two deadly seconds.
Aside from an emphasis on common sense and street savvy,
the department offered little training based on the split-second
outcomes of deadly encounters — until the 1980s. Early
in that decade, trainers at the Houston Police Academy began
compiling a detailed list of training points developed from all line-of-duty
death scenes.
The lessons learned are dramatically pounded into the heads of fresh
cadets as well as long-time patrol officers. To no one’s surprise, the
primary lesson in this special police-oriented classroom goes back
to the most basic concept of American law enforcement in the Old
West — constant use of common horse sense.
By the early 1900s, another potential source of violence confronted
Houston police officers and every officer throughout the United
States and the rest of the world. In truth, probably no factor changed
policing as a whole more than the automobile.
Dangers on Patrol, in Traffic
The job grew infinitely more dangerous. On June 19, 1921, Officer
Jeter Young died when his patrol car collided with a dairy truck as
Young was en route to a call for service. For the next 86 years, a
total of 34 HPD officers lost their lives in vehicular-related crashes.
Twelve of that number were killed during a traffic stop or while
directing traffic around road work, heavy traffic or an accident scene.
That’s Jim Conley (retired) on the left and his ever-present running mate,
Terry Bratton, on the right.
The earliest scenarios of HPD line-of-duty deaths were as cut and
dried as the commonality of the six-gun in the Old West. Six of the
first eight killers — documented from the years 1860 through 1910
— were angry citizens who sought to take out their revenge and
frustration on a lawman wearing a badge. Three or four of the
perpetrators drew their guns on Houston’s finest in retaliation for an
earlier arrest. The incarcerations came from such misdemeanors as
public drunkenness. Then as now, there was no more serious felony
than shooting and killing an officer of the law.
Firearms and Automobiles
The lesson learned was simple — stay alert with your sidearm
loaded and watch out for the suspicious men you should never turn
your back on. Most of the time in those early days these squirrelly
provocateurs of violence were drunk in a downtown saloon and had
ready access to a pistol or a shotgun.
Over more than seventeen decades of HPD history, almost seven in
every 10 line-of-duty deaths came as a result of firearms, usually a
revolver. The scenes did not vary too much during the first 100 years.
The vehicles listed on these fatal accident reports range from a
Hupmobile in 1925 (Motorcycle Officer J. Clark Etheridge) to an ice
truck in 1927 (Officer R. Q. Wells) and, sadly, with a Houston Fire
Department pumper on its way to a fire in 1929 (Motorcycle Officer C.
F. Thomas). Drunken drivers have struck down and killed four HPD
officers over the years while they were directing traffic or on patrol.
The Police Academy’s training points especially emphasize the fact
that the officers who have lost their lives in traffic-related accidents
were assigned to Patrol or Traffic Enforcement at the time. Eleven
of them were solo motorcycle officers, about 10 percent of the total
number of the first 112 line-of-duty deaths. Academy trainers stress
that directing traffic is far more dangerous than it seems, and they
go back to the basics of instructing officers to keep their eyes wide
open, especially at night.
Three officers may have failed to use the oft-emphasized common
sense, and therein lies important lessons. One officer died instantly
when his patrol car collided with a concrete pole while he was
speeding to meet a friend for a bite to eat. Another was broad-sided
as he sped trying to become a part of a high-speed pursuit. He was
so far away from this chase that he had no reasonable chance of
catching up to it and therefore couldn’t have done anyone any good.
Still a third officer died when his patrol car struck a tree while driving
near Intercontinental Airport, while responding to an accident call on
rain-slick streets.
Drivers sometimes do not pay close attention to what is
happening on freeways or at intersections where a traffic accident
has happened. Two of the three female HPD officers who died in the
line of duty — Officer Maria M. Groves on April 10, 1987 and Officer
Dawn S. Erickson on Christmas Eve 1995 were struck by passing
motorists. Groves was investigating an accident and Erickson was
directing traffic around a church after a Christmas Eve service.
Bratton and Conley
One of the deadliest days in HPD history was March 29, 1982, when
two solo motorcycle officers died in separate accidents on two
different Houston area freeways. Both were hit during traffic stops.
Officer Winston J. Rawlins was struck down by a gravel truck early
that tragic day on the East Loop (610) and Texas Highway 225. Later,
his fellow solo, Officer William E. DeLeon, died on the Southwest
Freeway (Texas Highway 59).
For all intents and purposes, Officers Terry Bratton and Jim
Conley have been partners since their earliest days in HPD. Conley
joined HPD in 1970 and Bratton in 1976. Conley was Bratton’s field
training officer but the two soon became partners for about three
years before Bratton went to the Academy. Conley followed in
mid-1979. They got transfers to the training positions to establish the
department’s safety awareness training program. They remain close
colleagues even after Conley’s retirement.
Conley now is known as the founder and face of Operation Lone
Star-Texans Supporting Our Troops. Bratton, chairman of the Board
of Trustees of the Houston Police Officers Pension System (HPOPS),
has been with HPD for 38 years and counting.
Bratton and Conley (or if you prefer: Conley and Bratton) worked
together for so many decades that many in HPD had trouble telling
them apart.
Indeed, to this day they admit to being “alter egos.” The record shows
they strongly believe in the same messages and lessons to cadets
and veteran officers, always echoing these tenants wherever they go
to speak. As part of their safety training emphasis, they founded the
“Shoot, Don’t Shoot” program, using live actors in realistic policing
situations to test program participants to make the decision that — in
1/25th of a second — could very well be a life-or-death proposition.
In the 1980s, the Shoot, Don’t Shoot concept was adopted by police
academies across the nation, making Conley and Bratton major
authorities on the subject.
(George Guerrero has replaced Bratton as Lead Officer Safety
Instructor and has picked up the same dedication to this duty as his
predecessors).
Today, what are their major messages? They sat down recently with
the Badge & Gun to once again place the emphasis where it belongs.
And they said it is:
Communications (More is better than less).
Search (They must be thorough and systematic).
Lag time (Identifying a threat to safety).
Cover (Always take it).
Equipment (Never forget it).
Back-up (Know when you need it).
These are common police terms every officer uses so routinely that
their significant others might overhear them repeated in between
snores or wake-up calls. Yet, academy trainers use these six basic
terms of engagement continuously to remind all HPD officers of
the important life-saving lessons learned from the most violent
line-of-duty death cases in Houston history.
Bratton and Conley have treated their jobs as callings for more than
twenty-seven years – steadily pepper their conversations about
line-of-duty death with these terms. They become more stern-faced
and animated with specific cases and mentions of certain names
on HPD’s unforgettable Line of Duty Death Roll. Then they provide
memorable examples of what happens when officers and sometimes
their supervisors forget one of the basics.
Communications
On August 18, 1982, Officer Kathleen Schaefer was working as an
undercover Narcotics officer. She was with the crooks the instant
the bust was made. However, a failure to communicate a significant
factor to the arresting officers resulted in Schaefer’s death.
The officers making the drug bust were alerted to the presence of
two undercover officers. But they weren’t told that the officer was a
female fitting Schaefer’s description.
Retired HPD Homicide Lt. Nelson Zoch said the Schaefer story was
far and away the most difficult and sensitive of the line-of-duty death
accounts in his book, Fallen Heroes of the Bayou City. He said he
wrote the story after much soul searching and advice from friends
in the department. The account was written “with no intention to
disparage or in any way judge the actions and intentions of any of the
officers present during this tragedy.”
In his account, Zoch detailed the plans for the actual drug bust, in
which two plainclothes officers and two in uniform were to make the
arrests. Zoch wrote:
“However, unfortunately, there was one major detail the officers had
failed to discuss when this operation was being planned — that there
was a female undercover Narc involved. When the uniformed officers
jumped out of the raid van, one of them saw a female in plainclothes
pointing a pistol toward the inside of the van.
“The officer, believing that this female was pointing her pistol at
the officer driving the van, was in fear that his fellow officer was in
danger. He had only a split second to react. He fired his weapon one
time, striking Kathy in the left side.”
Kathleen Schaefer died at the scene.
Bratton and Conley are careful, yet frank, in their assessment of
the unfortunate situation. “Uniformed people — or everybody on the
scene needed to know who the undercover person is,” Bratton said,
“and the person in there needs to understand what his — or her —
role is. In this particular case, it was not to aid in the arrest, it was to
go down with the crooks.”
Bratton also pointed out, “Officers don’t recognize whether you’re
black or white, Republican or Democrat. They have tunnel vision.
If you are undercover with a gun and a uniformed officer yells, ‘Put
down the gun.’ Don’t argue with him or her. Don’t reach in your
pocket. If they tell you to jump in the mud, go there.
“Our Narcs now know how to communicate much better than they did
back then. We do so much better today.”
Conley said, “You can’t assume that I know what you (another officer)
know. One of us may be looking at other things. Terry (partner) needs
to tell me there’s a gun. Don’t assume that I know.”
In the Schaefer case, the HPD brass spread the word throughout all
divisions: No bust would take place without knowing the identity and
description of any undercover officer who might be in the crooks’
presence. Similarly, the department made it clear to the shooter that
he clearly did his job according to the book. “The department did a
real good job of understanding that it was not him,” Bratton said,
repeating an important detail in the Schaefer lesson.
Conley, repeating his drop-the-gun message, said, “It goes back to
communications and planning.” This lesson is far more palatable for
the department and all others concerned when history notes that
Schaefer’s children, very young at the time they lost their mother,
forgave the now-retired uniformed officer.
Kathleen Schaefer was the first female HPD officer to die in the line
of duty.
Search
The January 31, 1994 shooting death of Officer Guy P. Gaddis is one
Houston police officers, past and present, would like to forget. It’s a
case that never should have happened.
Officer Gaddis was one of three one-man units who participated in
the arrest of two robbery suspects in a lounge in the 6100 block of
Chimney Rock. “Cursory” searches of the two individuals, still not
handcuffed, uncovered at least one necklace that had been taken in
a robbery. Gaddis instructed the other officers to cuff the suspects
and put them in the rear seat of his patrol car. Years later, one of
these officers — conceding that he will have to live with his mistake
for the rest of his life — remembered that he and the other officer
at the scene did not want to embarrass Gaddis by informing him that
neither of the suspects had been searched.
As Gaddis was driving the two men to jail, one of them, Edgar Tamayo,
pulled a pistol he had hidden on his person. Tamayo maneuvered the
gun around his waist and clumsily took aim at the lone officer in the
front seat. He squeezed the trigger, only to learn that there was no
bullet in the chamber.
Unfortunately, Tamayo would get a second chance. Cell phones
weren’t yet common in 1994 and Gaddis stopped to make a call from
inside a convenience store. He talked for about 20 minutes, never
realizing he was giving Tamayo ample time to load his pistol and have
it ready to fire.
After Gaddis got back into his patrol car and resumed the trip,
Tamayo pulled the trigger five times, hitting the officer three times in
the head and killing him instantly. The car caromed off the street and
struck a house on Chimney Rock in the southwest Houston suburb of
Bellaire. The other suspect was knocked unconscious as the result of
the impact while Tamayo broke out of the vehicle and started running
while still cuffed. Officers arrested him a short time later.
A jury sentenced Tamayo to die by lethal injection on Nov. 18, 1994.
Tamayo spent 19 years on earth longer than did Gaddis. Many of those
years were on Death Row but on Death Row before he was executed
by lethal injection on Jan. 22, 2013.
After the conviction, Bratton and Conley secured the Plexiglas shield
from Officer Gaddis’ patrol car, still with its bullet holes and blood
stains. “We talk about the case and bring out the shield,” Conley said,
describing a practice in an academy class. “The room goes silent and
you don’t have to say a word. Search your prisoner; it’s that simple.”
Police officers are like everybody else — they are human and
sometimes forget the simple rules, even if they are known to
practice Safety First in every way. On September 21, 2006, Officer
Rodney Johnson, a lone patrol officer, pulled over a speeding pickup
truck on the southeast side and arrested Juan Leonardo Quintero. He
quickly determined that Quintero had warrants and should be taken
to jail. He handcuffed the suspect and placed him in the backseat of
the patrol car, just as Gaddis did with Tamayo.
As the only officer at the scene, Johnson had to tend to the
release of Quintero’s female passenger as well as Quintero’s
co-worker and deal with the towing of the suspect’s vehicle. “Rodney
actually had three scenes to deal with,” Conley pointed out. The
subsequent investigation showed that attacking this list of tasks,
Johnson didn’t find the pistol Quintero had taken from his wife’s safe
earlier in the day. As he was sitting behind the wheel completing a
tow slip and waiting on a wrecker, Johnson didn’t see the suspect
pointing his pistol through the open Plexiglas door and fired shots at
Officer Johnson, striking him in the head and neck.
Johnson instinctively pushed his emergency button before
collapsing. Almost instantly, an emergency ambulance took him to Ben
Taub General Hospital. He was dead on arrival. He was 40 years old.
Another line-of-duty death on May 22, 2001, underscored the
same message as the Gaddis and Johnson cases, although the
dangerous circumstances were somewhat different. Officers
Alberto Vasquez and Enrique Duharte-Tur were working an extra
job as security at an apartment complex near Sharpstown Mall in
southwest Houston. They had arrested several suspects on drug
charges and had handcuffed two of them together because one of
them was on crutches.
The search of the suspects was incomplete, for the one on crutches
had a pistol hidden in an Ace bandage on his leg. As Vasquez and
Duharte-Tur led them to the apartment manager’s office, the suspect
on crutches slowed down the pace, pulled his gun and shot Vasquez
at point-blank range. Vasquez died instantly.
The men fell into a pile. The crutched crook shot it out with
Duharte-Tur, who sustained critical wounds. The shooter eventually
got a life sentence.
The message once again rang true: Search your prisoner.
Lag Time
Lag time is defined as the time it takes an officer to see a threat,
identify the threat and react to it. This generally means dealing with
a suspect right in front of you — usually an armed suspect.
They use another line-of-duty death story to drive home this point.
The episode involved Officer James F. Kilty, a popular Narcotics
officer also known to be an aggressive pursuer of drug dealers at a
time in history when such a “cowboy” mentality was the rule in HPD.
Aggressive Narcotics officers were known to confront dangerous
people in unsafe situations far too often.
On April 8, 1976, Officer Kilty implemented a carefully planned
execution of a warrant on a drug dealer who was a cook at a hotel on
Houston’s Southwest Freeway. The dealer, Willie Howard, arrived at
5 a.m., as expected, parking his car at a location Kilty had anticipated.
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When Howard got out of his vehicle, Officer Kilty clearly identified
himself as a police officer and confronted him. Howard pulled a small
chrome revolver and shot twice at the officer.
Kilty went down and after shouting to his fellow officers that
he was hit, returned fire. Two other officers also returned fire,
striking Howard numerous times. The suspect died at the scene.
Kilty was dead on arrival at Ben Taub General Hospital, having been
transported there by his colleagues, who feared an ambulance
wouldn’t arrive in time to save his life.
“Officer Kilty’s death was a perfect example of lag time,” Bratton
explained. “That is, the time it takes for an officer to see and identify
the threat of death. None of these (lag time) cases are cut and dried.
They have extenuating circumstances.”
Had Officer Kilty slowed down and taken a few extra minutes to
consider the situation for what it was — life-threatening — the arrest
and search probably would have taken place safely and effectively.
That scenario, however, was far more likely in the early 21st Century
– but not in the 1970s when it actually went down. This tragic event
reflected a pattern that prevailed in other Narcotics arrests in other
departments across the nation.
“Really there was no training like there is today,” Conley said in
his academy training sessions. “In the seventies the training just
wasn’t there. Today you, the officer, are the most important person
out there.”
Cover
“Take cover” is one of the first and perhaps foremost lessons in the
early stages of police academy training. The Houston Police Academy
teaches that concealment (such as darkness) is not cover that will
stop a bullet and keep you out of a suspect’s sight.
In history, the officers in the Houston Police Department are no
different from their counterparts among those groups of
imperfect human beings that make up all the other policing agencies
in the world.
Equipment
When a police officer is in uniform — his most noticeable piece of
equipment — crooks don’t know if he or she is on duty or off. The
cold-blooded murder of Officer Leon Griggs while working an extra
job at a grocery store on Jan. 31, 1970 offers testimony to this point.
Since it was an extra job, Officer Griggs had no partner and there
were no radios during this time in HPD history.
A radio probably wouldn’t have helped Officer Jerry Spruill when
he went to work on a late-night extra job at a bar in the Montrose
section of Houston on Oct. 26, 1972. A partner would have. But not every
officer was allowed to take his partner on each of his extra jobs
during that era or at any time in HPD history.
When Spruill reported in and went to his car to get some needed
item, he was confronted by two shooters, each of whom plugged him
with different caliber bullets, instantly killing him — for no apparent
reason. Later testimony showed the shooting was part of an initiation
into a black power organization. One individual, Marvin Fentis, served
a long prison term for killing Spruill. The second guilty participant
was never identified.
No case of failure to have the needed equipment was as sad as that
of Sgt. Kent D. Kincaid on the night of May 23, 1998. The sergeant and
his wife were in their family car not far from their home in Forest
Heights when what was believed to be rocks were thrown from an
oncoming pickup truck, damaging the Kincaid car’s windshield.
The off-duty sergeant turned around, followed the pickup into a dead
end street and confronted the driver and his numerous passengers in
the bed of the truck, telling them he was a police officer by showing
his ID. A study of this case showed he had his badge but no gun. He
was clearly outnumbered, not realizing the people in the pickup were
armed and dangerous.
One of the young men inside the truck fired one shot at Sgt.
Kincaid, striking him in the head. He died a short time later at
Hermann Hospital. The men, also wanted for some robberies, were
apprehended several days later. The shooter was convicted of
capital murder in Kincaid’s death. He said he fired the shot as soon
as Kincaid identified himself as a police officer.
There is more than one training point in this tragic shooting scene.
Kincaid was off-duty and had no help. He was outnumbered three to
one, definitely a no-win situation. He, of course, couldn’t control the
obvious fact that these crooks hated cops and at least one of them
was willing to shoot him. The shooter went to Death Row, where he
resides to this day.
Back-up
The academy teaches officers to know when to call for back-up. If an
officer knows he needs it, he should either call for it and wait or back
off, knowing the odds are not in his favor. Four line-of-duty deaths
since 1970 clearly “back up” these points.
On April 28, 1982, Officer Daryl W. Shirley, said to be “an entire
fugitive warrant squad by himself,” went alone to locate a wanted
felon at an apartment complex. Despite urging from his lieutenant
to “take somebody with you,” Shirley went alone, supposedly just to
identify the crook so he could arrest him later. Things didn’t go down
that way; Shirley got into an altercation with the suspect and was
gunned down at the scene.
On April 12, 1991, Sgt. Bruno Soboleski had with him a grand jury
member participating in a ride-along. He was showing the woman
around a drug-infested neighborhood when he confronted two
suspects. Unlike the typical criminal modus operandi, which was to
run at the sight of a patrol car, these two held their ground.
Sgt. Soboleski stopped to question the pair, instructing them to put
their hands on the hood of his police car. He should have called for
back-up. As he searched one, the other drew a 9mm pistol and fired
three or four shots at him at close range. Soboleski never had a
chance to draw his weapon.
Linda Ligon, the heroic grand juror, used the police radio to summon
help. Sgt. Soboleski later died of multiple-organ failure. The shooter
got the death penalty.
Officer Troy Blando was running license plates in a parking lot of
a hotel where where he believed there might be a stolen vehicle.
The date was May 19, 1999. He was by himself running plates when
he learned that a suspect in a car on the parking lot was wanted in
connection with a robbery.
Blando got the suspect out of the car but had trouble handcuffing
him. The crook pulled a gun and shot the officer, who died of the
wounds. (This case was complicated by the difficulty encountered by
the Houston Fire Department ambulance responding to the call. They
were delayed by a dispatcher problem.)
On April 3, 2003, Officer Charles Clark responded to a hold-up alarm
on the South Loop East. He positioned his patrol car perfectly from
a tactical standpoint at a scene in which the crooks came out of the
building with a hostage. Officer Clark left his car, however, leaving
himself uncovered and outnumbered. He asked for back-up (which
was en route) but alone he lost the battle. The crooks shot him and
he died at the scene, as did the hostage.
In classes at the academy, Conley referred to buildings with tinted
windows as he said, “When you drive up, you can’t see inside. They
can see you but you can’t see them. The one thing that gets us hurt
or often kills us is that we get into too big of a hurry. Slow down.
Buy a little more time.” He said there is always a fight with the
natural human instinct to run in with your gun drawn. “We constantly
fight this.”
No one in HPD, especially at the training academy, is judgmental
in the cases of these heroic deeds performed in the line of duty.
Trainers like Bratton and Conley make sure the officers did not die in
vain through their use of the details of these tragic untimely deaths
as training points for both cadets and long-time officers.
Conley and Bratton also remind HPD officers that on certain no-win
days there is absolutely nothing they can do to get out of harm’s way.
Such a day was August 27, 1990 when Solo Motorcycle Officer Jim
Irby – known to post the best scores in every qualifying competition
at the academy – made a traffic stop near Northline Mall on Houston’s
Northside just off Interstate 45. Nothing Officer Irby could have done
at this event would have kept him from being shot and killed.
Irby studied the license of the driver of a car that had been driven
recklessly. Inside this vehicle was Carl Wayne Buntion, an ex-convict
from a family of criminals. Buntion pulled a .357 magnum pistol and
fatally shot one of Houston’s very finest. A jury later assessed him the
death penalty. Buntion won an appeal and was once again convicted
after another trial.
Terry Bratton said, “The only thing that would have saved Jim Irby
was not to go to work that day.”
Houston police officers are sworn to work every day to keep citizens
safe. This sometimes means getting in the crosshairs of harm’s way.
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year
Graphic Design & Illustration
Keith Margavio
6630 Roos Road • Houston, Texas 77074
713-503-9102 • [email protected]
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Honorary Officer
Houston Police Officers give Kyssie
Standing Ovation, Super Encouragement
in Law Enforcement Endeavors
By TOM KENNEDY
Law enforcement officers — particularly those with HPD on their
sleeves — have a very special way of helping people. It’s simply part
of the “helps” characteristic they signed on to use.
One recent case in point was the recruitment of a brand new HPD
honorary officer named Khyrstin Andrews, aka “Kyssie.”
Fighting a Battle
Kyssie (pronounced “Kissie”) is six years old and in the process of
fighting a rare kidney cancer that affects children. It’s called Wilms
Tumor. Diagnosed at age three, she underwent treatment and saw it
go into remission. Then the cancer returned to a lung and went into
remission a second time.
Kyssie was made an honorary HPD officer in June, thanks to the
chief. Her DPS trooper status became official on Oct. 27 in an exciting, noteworthy ceremony.
“She wanted a chance to stop a vehicle on a traffic stop and be a real
police officer,” Charlah Woodard told the Badge & Gun. “It’s always
been something she wanted to do. She wanted to stop somebody
or speeding.
“Her mom is on a mission to do everything Kyssie wants to do. He
(Stephen) said to me, ‘How can we make it happen?’
“We worked both ends. The Union (HPOU) donated some money. We
got her a DPS uniform and an HPD uniform.”
As it turned out, the Woodard couple used their resourcefulness in
positive ways. Discount Uniforms donated the dark blue HPD uniform
Kyssie proudly wears when she’s not on duty at the DPS, which got its
uniform donated through C and G Wholesale.
Kyssie went in to both businesses where measurements were taken
and the specially tailored uniforms put together.
Officer Charlah Woodard, the “field trainer” for Kyssie, takes the HPD
honorary officer “on patrol” until she was summoned to the HPOU meeting.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
But the cancer came back yet again in both lungs. Kyssie’s battle
continues with regular chemo treatments at M. D. Anderson.
Now then, this determined little girl has proven to be a real “trooper”
in more ways than one.
Earlier this year Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Stephen
Woodard, the DPS’ local media spokesman, learned of Kyssie’s
illness and the fact that she had told her mother, Marla Jones, that
one of her primary goals in life was to “help keep the roadways safe.”
While Woodard took steps to recruit Kyssie as an honorary
DPS trooper, something else happened for, you see, Woodard’s
wife Charlah is a Houston police officer, assigned to the Mental
Health Division.
These two law enforcement professionals provided Kyssie and Marla
the help they needed in this special recruitment process. Charlah
and others approached Police Chief Charles “Chuck” McClelland
about this special new recruit, while Stephen went up the right
DPS ladder.
Page 1B Badge & Gun • December 2014
HPOU’s Rebecca Dallas is “directing traffic” as Kyssie is being treated to a ride
on Smash, one of the featured mounts of the Mounted Patrol. Kyssie is wearing
the Mounted Patrol hat that was presented to her earlier at the HPOU general
membership meeting. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
Also, Central Supply had a badge made for Kyssie. All of these steps
were taken in a matter of three weeks, Charlah explained, making
ready for the Oct. 27 event at DPS headquarters with both the DPS
and the HPD fully participating.
“We had Mounted Patrol and the Solos present,” Charlah recounted.
“Kyssie rode horses and sat on a bike. The DPS gave her a helicopter
ride over her house. Another volunteer brought (an HPD) K9 out.
Continues on Page 2B
Continues from Page 1B
Happy is Healthy
“The DPS made her a trooper for the day and presented her with an
honorary plaque. Ray gave her her HPD uniform.”
Charlah Woodard said, “Her mother is unemployed and devotes all
her time to Kyssie’s treatments and trying to make her happy.” Health
insurance benefits ran out in June when Kyssie’s father became
unemployed.
A fundraising effort developed on the website Gofundme.com. Click
on Kyssistrong to make a donation.
Kyssie’s motto continues to be HAPPY IS HEALTHY.
The new HPD officer drove home that point on Nov. 6 at the HPOU’s
general membership meeting. Kyssie was “on duty” with Woodard in
the neighborhood when Union President Ray Hunt summoned her to
the Breckenridge Porter Building for special service.
Officer Greg Smith of the K9 Detail presents Kyssie with her own “K9 officer”
doll. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
The hundreds of HPOU members present gave her a standing ovation.
That very same Thursday she had chemo at MDA.
Other duties have included meeting the HPD robot, Officer Defender,
at the Public Affairs Division at 1200 Travis and trying out the patrol
car in the Houston Police Museum on the first floor.
Officer Woodard said Kyssie loves fried ice cream. She said when
Kyssie came to the office of the Mental Health Division one day she
was thrilled to learn that Woodard and her colleagues had some
homemade fried ice cream for their special visitor. “We made it up
and she enjoyed it,” Woodard said with a smile.
While at the Union, Kyssie also became a Mounted Patrol officer and
a member of the HPD K9 Unit.
Tell your civilian friends to watch out. Kyssie might be pulling one of
them over for speeding any day now.
It might be just another step to make her happy and healthy.
Officer Horace Mann of Mounted
Patrol gives Kyssie a hug and the
thumbs-up sign for a job well done.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
HPOU President Ray Hunt
summoned Kyssie from her
patrol car. She was greeted
with a standing ovation from
the HPOU membership at the
Nov. 6 meeting.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
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Due to the retirement of its long-time printer,
The Badge & Gun has a new printing contractor with new deadlines.
All copy for stories and advertisements should be in our hands no later than the 19th day of every month.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Sgt. Tom Hayes, Chairman Communications Committee
[email protected] • 281-924-3015
Page 3B Badge & Gun •December 2014
Dear HPOU,
Thank you for supporting the Waller County goat show. Without
sponsors like you we would not have the program we do. I got second
place in herdsman and I was happy with my placing because I worked
hard to keep my pen clean. Thank you for sponsoring.
Thanks,
Kaitlynn Woolley
HPOU,
Thank you so much for the gorgeous flowers. We really appreciate them.
The Laird Family
HPOU,
Thank you for the card and the plant acknowledging the loss of our
son Rick. Your thoughts and prayers give us strength.
Thank you.
Richard & Judith Williams
HPOU,
The family of Michael “Mike” Goldwater acknowledges with deep
appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.
The Goldwater Family
Check out the
new HPOU website
at hpou.org
Support PAC,
It Pays Big Returns
By NELSON ZOCH
May 19, 1999
Lest We Forget
Car Thief Williams Guns Down Troy Blando
in Cold Blood at Southwest Freeway Motel
Troy Alan Blando was born in Bussac,
France, on July 31, 1959, to Mr. and Mrs. Alvin
(Della) Blando. Being the son of a career
United States military man, Troy traveled
extensively in his early years. He attended elementary and junior high school in San Antonio
and graduated from Roosevelt High School in
the Alamo City in 1977. For several years after
high school, he attended Southwest Texas
State University in San Marcos.
the 6400 block of Bellaire, they headed in
Blando’s direction.
At 9:11 a.m., they were at the Southwest
Freeway at Hornwood when they heard ten
to twelve gunshots coming from the direction
of the Roadrunner. Just seconds later, the
voice of Officer Blando came over the police
Officer Blando was bleeding internally. The
delay in rushing him to a hospital became
the subject of a massive investigation into
the Houston Fire Department’s dispatching
procedures. The contention was that Blando
had received injuries that could have been
better treated, perhaps saving his life, had
an ambulance arrived sooner. Eventually, the
HFD ambulance transported him to Ben Taub
General Hospital.
Troy came to the Houston Police Department
on July 2, 1979 to enter Police Cadet Class
No. 87. He took his oath of office as an HPD
officer on November 3, 1979. He wore Badge
No. 2336. His earliest assignment was to
Central Patrol, where he served a short time
before becoming a member of the Crime
Scene Unit. Once the unit was transferred to
be under the Homicide Division, Troy became
a well known and highly respected member
of the crime scene unit.
The department later assigned him to the
Inspections Division, the Westside Command
Center and the Chief’s Administration under
Police Chief Elizabeth Watson. While Troy did
exceptional work in all his assignments, it
seemed that he truly found his niche when
in 1993, he was selected for assignment
as a police officer investigator in the Auto
Theft Division.
On Wednesday, May 19, 1999, Auto Theft
Investigator Troy Blando was driving a
city-owned unmarked vehicle, a 1995 green
Jeep Cherokee. This vehicle was equipped
with an MDI and he was searching the motels
along the 6800 block of the Southwest Freeway
for stolen vehicles. He was at the Roadrunner
Motel, a location he previously had found to
be ripe for searching for recoveries.
While stopped in the motel parking lot,
Blando observed a new model Lexus pass by
driven by an African-American male.
Checking the plate, the officer learned that this
vehicle had been stolen in an armed robbery
several months ago. At 9:07 a.m., he
reported his location to the dispatcher and
stated that he had spotted an occupied stolen
and wanted vehicle. Several bicycle patrol
officers, L.J. Satterwhite and A.K. Hawkins,
were nearby and overheard Blando’s
transmission and location. Riding from
the Assist the Officer call. Officer Blando
was shot in the chest and there was a visible
exit wound to his back. He had returned fire
at the suspect with his .380 automatic, but
had not hit him. There were numerous 9mm
hulls around the scene, indicating that the
suspect had fired a number of times during
the shootout.
Officer Troy Alan Blando
radio, stating that he had been shot. He also
provided a description of the suspect.
Within thirty seconds, Officers Hawkins
and Satterwhite arrived to see Troy Blando
seated in his Jeep, pointing toward the
motel courtyard.
Hawkins and Satterwhite did what officers
are trained to do. They split up, with Hawkins
staying back to attend to Officer Blando
while Satterwhite attempted to pursue the
suspect, having been directed by citizens
who had seen a partially handcuffed man
racing away. This assistance led him to the
Celebration Station amusement center at
6787 Southwest Freeway.
Other officers in patrol cars began arriving at
the scene. They assisted Officer Satterwhite
with the arrest of a suspect who had one
handcuff on his left hand. He was also armed
with the weapon used to shoot Officer Blando.
Back at the scene, Officer Hawkins had made
Homicide
Captain
Richard
Holland
assigned Lieutenant Greg Neely to lead this
investigation. Lieutenant Neely assigned
Sergeant Jim Ladd and his partner, Officer
Todd Miller, to make the scene and be the
primary investigative unit. Assigned to assist
them were Sergeant John Swaim and his
partner, Officer Alan Brown. Sergeant Paul
Motard went to Ben Taub to interview the
wounded officer. However, Motard soon
learned that Officer Blando was in critical
condition, undergoing surgery. The treatment
was just too late. Blando had suffered a fatal
loss of blood. Doctors pronounced him dead
at 10:23 a.m. The veteran of almost twenty
years with HPD was dead at age thirty-nine.
The motel parking lot that had been the scene
of the offense was no small area to process.
In addition, there was the scene of the arrest.
Four Crime Scene Units responded on this
weekday to assist in the most important
task of Homicide investigators — to properly
locate and document all items of evidence
pertinent to the offense at these scenes.
Contributing in this effort were CSU Officers
Larry Baimbridge, J.C. Wood, and A.G.
Riddle, all of whom took part in the scene
investigations.
Officer
D.H.
Couch
undertook the hospital investigation, while
Officers L. Tuttle, J.A. Ogden, J.S. Hammerle,
and G.H. West all participated in some
manner throughout the detailed investigation.
Other than the radio transmissions from Officer Blando,
investigators were left to piece together the much-needed
evidence of the tragic event of this day. While there were no actual
eyewitnesses, a number of people in and around the motel heard
and/or saw bits and parts of the offense. The main information was
the fleeing suspect from the scene of the shooting, which Officer
Hawkins was able to obtain in more detail from Officer Blando. He in
turn passed it on to the responding units.
The arrested suspect, Jeffrey Demond Williams (African-American
Male; 23) ironically provided many answers to investigators’
questions. Officer L.J. Satterwhite, ably assisted by Officers J.M.
McPhail, J.E. Draycott, J.R. Martinez, B.J. McDonald and Sergeant
G.B. Raschke, arrested Williams with not only the weapon he used
to shoot Officer Blando but also with a totally undisputable piece of
evidence — Officer Troy Blando’s handcuffs on one of his wrists. The
officers took him back to a location near the scene of the shooting,
where Lieutenant Neely assigned Officer Alan Brown and Sergeant
John Swaim to personally take custody of the suspect and transport
him to 1200 Travis for further interviews.
In the usual professional manner of HPD Homicide
investigators, Brown and Swaim obtained utmost cooperation from
the suspect. Jeffrey Williams confessed to the whole brutal ordeal,
while accusing Officer Blando of disrespecting him and physically
abusing him — a routine line from someone fully aware of the fact
that he has just committed the final criminal act of his life. After
being caught in several other falsehoods, Williams admitted to
having taken the stolen Lexus two months previous in an
armed robbery of a female. And, more importantly, Williams
acknowledged in his confession that he knew that the plainclothes
man who confronted him was a police officer.
Before the day was over, the suspect was in jail and charged with
capital murder of a peace officer. Homicide Sergeants Carless Elliott
and David Calhoun were assigned the gruesome task of attending
Blando’s autopsy. They were accompanied by CSU Officers Leroy
Tuttle and G. H. West. They needed to tie up a number of loose ends
and Sergeants Ladd and Swaim and their partners, Miller and Brown,
performed these duties in due time.
Officer Troy Blando was survived by his wife Judith and his
thirteen- year-old son, Danny. Other survivors were his mother, Mrs.
Della Blando; two brothers, Mike Blando and Tracy Blando; and two
sisters, Vicki Sinwell and Bobi Blando; and a number of nephews.
Visitation was held at the Pat H. Foley Funeral Home at 1200 W.
34th on Saturday, May 22, 1999, from noon until 9 p.m. and then on
Sunday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Funeral services were held at the
Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway, on Monday, May 24 at 10 a.m.
Services were conducted by the Reverend David Dixon, Pastor Fred
H. de Oliveira, Deacon F. Jay Vocelka and HPD Chaplain Edwin Davis.
Interment followed at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, Antoine and
Katy Freeway.
Pallbearers for Officer Troy Blando were Robert W. Irving Jr.,
Kenneth A Hilleman, Victor Midyett, Dennis E. Holmes, Michael D.
Ingels, Collin P. Gerlich, Thomas C. Civitello and Craig L. Newman.
To police officers who attend the memorial services for fellow
officers killed in the line of duty, usually some facet of the service
seems to always stand out as something special to remember. Officer
Troy Blando was a Boy Scout troop leader for his son Danny’s troop.
To witness the other adult troop leaders and Danny’s fellow Scouts
march out after the funeral service without troop leader Troy Blando
was an unforgettable sight. What a loss, not only to HPD, but to these
young men that Officer Blando served to inspire.
With the death of any police officer, Homicide investigators
consider the deceased to be one of their own. In this case, most of the
investigators had known Officer Troy Blando since his CSU days.
Thus, this came very close to home. However, the investigation had to
continue with many loose ends to wrap up tight for the prosecution.
After the initial shock of the murder and subsequent funeral, the work
continued. Support personnel who assisted were Firearms Examiner
Mike Lyons and Latent Print Examiner Debbie Benningfield. The
weapon recovered from the suspects was positively identified as the
one that fired the fatal shot. Jeffrey Williams was placed by prints in
the Lexus as well as in Officer Blando’s Jeep.
The capital murder trial of Jeffery Demond Williams was held in the
Criminal District Court of State District Judge Carol Davies. Assistant
District Attorneys Lyn McClellan and Denise Nassar were in charge
of the prosecution. Williams was found guilty and on February 9,
2000, he was sentenced to die by lethal injection for the capital
murder of Officer Troy Alan Blando.
Mrs. Judith Blando and son Danny moved from Houston to Meridian.
Danny graduated from Meridian High School in 2004 and attended
Tarleton State College for a time before deciding to enter the United
States Navy. Judith, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, remained
confined to a wheelchair but in good spirits. She spends some time
in her home state of Michigan.
In 2005, the extended Blando family remained intact. Mother Della
lived near Fort Worth with Troy’s sister, Vicki Sinwell. Vicki, as well as
Bobi, Mike and Tracy all still mourn the death of brother Troy.
HPD CLASS 78 REUNION
Class 78 members should
contact Ed Cuccia at
[email protected]
Andrea
Schmauss
,
one great volunteer for Houston police officers
,
has taken leads to build morale and support needed programs in a MADD
way with her graduation from four citizens’ police academies
By TOM KENNEDY
It could be a safe bet that if HPD officers had a fan club, Andrea
Schmauss would be the president.
Let’s see her ID.
Schmauss, a Buffalo, New York native, came to Houston in 1975
and has worked as an administrator at the Nations Law Firm for 24
years. The firm’s founder, Howard L. Nations made a connection that
positively affected Andrea’s life.
Police Academy to make sure officers stay safe and work toward the
mission of law enforcement.
“Every time there’s a No-Refusal weekend she’s there, meeting with
officers and doing everything she can to help them do their jobs.
She’s a great volunteer for HPD and each of its officers. We love her.”
Fantastic Volunteer
A prominent supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Nations
introduced Andrea to Linda Kitazaki, long-time executive director
of MADD in Houston. The introduction resulted in Andrea’s tireless
work as a volunteer since 2006.
She has won recognition for volunteerism from Mayor Annise Parker,
the Houston Young Lawyers Association, Crime Stoppers and as
the “volunteer with unwavering support to the mission of Mothers
Against Drunk Driving.”
Two other great MADD volunteers devoted to HPD are pictured here with
Andrea. They are Mike and Jeanette Einkauf. This picture was taken at the
Nov. 20 appreciation dinner for the Houston Citizens Police Academy Alumni
Association. Mike and Jeanette also are the MADD — Take the Wheel, Shift
Briefing Chairs
Kitazaki recruited Andrea to do volunteer work with MADD in 2006.
Andrea said another major turning point in her volunteer career
was the day she met HPD’s Paul Lassalle, who administered the
department’s DWI Task Force, at a MADD-sponsored seminar in Dallas.
Andrea was a member of MADD’s Law Enforcement Committee
in Houston and was asking the obvious question: “What can the
committee do to help you?”
Andrea Schmauss is pictured with the following, left to right: Officer Treva Mott,
Officer Stephanie Watson-Owens, Officer Debra Allee, Andrea Schmauss,
Officer James Byrd and Officer Otis Latin. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
In addition, this worthy volunteer holds the distinction of being
an alumna of four law enforcement citizens’ academy alumni
associations — including the one sponsored by the Houston
Police Department.
The bulk of Andrea’s volunteer work has been — and continues to be
– in support of Houston area law enforcement, especially the officers
in the Houston Police Department.
“Andrea is a person with a heart of gold who has a true passion
for what a law enforcement officer does,” HPOU 1st Vice President
Doug Griffith said. “She works tirelessly with MADD and the Citizens
Andrea increased her committee’s activism, a task that initially
proved to be difficult. “I partnered with Paul,” she explained and
quickly added he became like an American Express Card: “I don’t
leave home without him.”
She described the HPD in 2006 as “one of the hardest clubs to get
you rfoot in the door to. They (officers) were very guarded, very
suspicious. They don’t let you in the family.”
Andrea soon figured the best entry might be through fellowship
(bringing food) to a shift briefing. Four months went by without
an appearance by the determined volunteer, who figured, “I don’t
think this is working. Nobody will let me come in. They’re asking,
‘Who’s this Andrea? What’s her agenda? Why does she want to bring
us lunch?’ ”
She found a heartfelt opportunity after
the tragic Sept. 21, 2006 murder of Officer
Rodney Johnson. Right before Christmas,
Andrea committed to provide “lunch and a
hug” for Johnson’s fellow dayshift officers
at Southeast. “I wanted them to know that
people really do care about law enforcement
officers; they respect the badge.”
her to arrange a work schedule around her
volunteer hours, even if it means working
late and long “flex” hours. Andrea administers the law firm’s institutional technology
from cell phones to servers.
Eventually Andrea got to know officers in
Traffic Enforcement at Central Patrol and —
with her MADD roots evident — was an active
volunteer with the DWI Task Force, “letting
them know that MADD’s there and we care
and if we can help, we will.”
She soon became acquainted with Doug
Griffith as well as Lt. Randy Upton and
others at Central, Westside, HCSO and
officers at Galena Park and Hedwig Village,
to name a few. Roll calls and shift briefings
were her speciality.
HPOU 1st Vice President Doug Griffith is pictured
with Andrea the night she and other alumni of the
Houston Citizens Police Academy were honored for
their volunteer work on Nov. 20.
GARY HICKS PHOTO
She sought — and still seeks — to turn around
the negative attitudes some communities
have about Houston’s police officers.
“I’ve heard so much negative. I get asked,
‘Why volunteer for officers?’ I’ve found
the opposite: officers are hard-working,
they want to help the community. They are
fathers, Little League coaches… they needed
someone to let the world know their
good side".
In 2009 or 2010, she did 80 roll calls, and
brought food to each one – sandwiches or
even hot meals, but NEVER DONUTS!
Of course, she put her heart in the MADD
crusade against drunk drivers. In 2007
Harris County and HPD established a new
program, called “no-refusal weekends,” to
ensure a breath or blood sample from every
suspect pulled over for suspected DWI. The
program also enabled the full prosecution of
these offenders and — most importantly —
helped to decrease the numbers of fatalities
over holidays in the Houston area and Texas,
long-known as the state leading the nation in
DWI deaths.
Drunk Driver
Affected
Andrea’s Life
in Volunteerism
The story of how Andrea Schmauss was a
natural to become involved as an exceptional
volunteer in Mothers Against Drunk Driving
actually began in 1971 when she was a
graduating high school senior in love with a
member of the 82nd Airborne.
His name was David Burdick, who, in February
1972, had just turned 19 and was on his way
home to Buffalo, New York, to ask Andrea to
marry him. In fact, she already considered
herself his fiancée.
While en route to Buffalo, Burdick was
crossing a street in Fairfax County, West
Virginia and was struck by a car driven by one
of the area’s prominent citizens, known to be
“a well known drinker.”
A Hug and Lunch
“I felt bad for the officers at Southeast.
They were the first officers I paid attention
to. It was the very first experience with law
enforcement for me.”
She then asked herself: “If I could go anywhere and do something, where would it be?”
Andrea is probably the only individual supporter
of HPD who designed and hands out her own
challenge coin.
The answer proved to be a hug and lunch for
Rodney Johnson’s colleagues at Southeast.
That experience, combined with her deep
devotion to the MADD ongoing crusade,
has led to an endless volunteer effort that
has seen Andrea take the lead in serving
an estimated 400 meals at shift briefings,
mostly in HPD but also including other law
enforcement entities from the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office and smaller policing agencies
surrounding Houston.
The resulting Intox facility, located behind
61 Riesner and actually run by the county,
serves as in-take on no-refusal nights where
any law enforcement officer in Harris County
may bring in DWI suspects for the blooddrawing process done in accordance with
state law.
“After Southeast,” she told the Badge & Gun,
“I started doing shift briefings on all three
shifts. I would get the food donated or make
sandwiches.”
She has the full support of Nations, a devoted
financial supporter of MADD’s, who allows
Initially, MADD paid the nurses who drew the
blood, while the county people volunteered
their time. “Now there’s a grant that pays
for the assistant district attorneys and the
nurse,” Andrea explained. “You can refuse
to blow (the breath test). You can’t refuse to
have your blood drawn if we have a warrant
(from the DA signed by a judge).”
This great volunteer has been a regular at
most, if not all, no-refusal weekends.
Andrea Schmauss taken at her 1971 high school
graduation with her fiancé David Burdick, whose
death by a drunk driver serves as a primary
inspiration point for Andrea’s volunteer service to
MADD and HPD.
Andrea mourned her fiancé’s death, not
realizing that he was killed by a drunk driver.
Twenty-five years later, Andrea, divorced
from her husband, tracked down Burdick’s
family through a private investigator. She
learned the details of the death when
In Memory of…
December - Houston Police Officers
Slain in the Line of Duty
Herman Youngst 12-12-1901
John C. James 12-12-1901
James C. "Boz" Boswell 12-9-1989
J.D. Landry 12-03-1930
Dawn S. Erickson 12-24-1995
Claude R. Beck 12-10-1971
Tim Abernethy 12-7-2008
C.F. Thomas 12-17-1929
James T. “Jim” Gambill 12-01-1936
Let us Never Forget...
If anyone knows of friends or family members who might have photographs that we are missing, please call The Badge & Gun at 713-223-4286.
Stepped-up Activism
As you might expect, Andrea knows the program backwards and
forwards and feels like she’s been part of the program’s support group
from the get go. She credits former Harris County prosecutor Warren
Diepraam as the “father of no-refusal weekends.” Diepraam speaks
on the subject all over the nation. He now works in Waller County,
she said.
Since 2006 Andrea has served as chair of the Regional Advisory
Council MADD Southeast Texas. She works with all sorts of other
committee chairs and the volunteers who serve food and provide
help wherever they are needed. She is quick to recognize other MADD
activists who help coordinate volunteers in this and other efforts,
naming Phil Niewall as the chairman of Take the Wheel No Refusal
Committee and Mike and Jeanette Einkauf, a husband-and-wife team
known as chairs of MADD’s Take the Wheel, Shift Briefings effort.
These volunteer leaders and their brood care for officers by providing them “a hot meal and any assistance they need. They basically
continue what I started. They are there to say ‘thank you’ and ask the
question ‘How can we help?’ ”
In her earlier volunteer days, Andrea averaged 150 volunteer hours
every month, most of them for HPD activities. Now Jeanette Einkauf
ranks as MADD’s leading volunteer with more than 100 volunteer
hours per month. She and husband Mike visit more than 100 shift
briefings each year.
“We’re not able to take food to shift briefings any more,” Andrea
explained. “We just got so involved (in so many) that we couldn’t do it.
In the beginning, we did.”
for civilians that usually lead to police support activities for what
is known as a citizens’ police academy alumni association, she
immediately set aside the time necessary to do the volunteer
job right.
She learned of the existence of “CPAs” simultaneously from
representatives of both HPD and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. “I
said I would take them both,” Andrea remembered, “and asked which
one was first? The next morning the Harris County Sheriff’s Office
called and told me theirs started in two days. I drove from where I
live in Katy to Kingwood and Highway 59 (to take the classes).”
Three months later she went through HPD’s CPA, took a break, and
then graduated from the one sponsored by the Texas Department of
Public Safety. And this November she completed the FBI’s version,
saying with a laugh, “I just graduated from the FBI. Please don’t ask
me to join any more right now.”
Her MADD colleagues Phil Niewall and Mike Einkauf are alumni of
seven and five different CPAs, respectively.
Through efforts Andrea led the Houston Citizens Police Academy
Alumni Association — as you might expect — continues to come
out in full support of No-Refusals. Andrea has served as first vice
president of this group since 2011. She also began serving on the
board of the DPS alumni group last year.
MADD and the CPAs form great natural partnerships. “MADD
starting volunteering with No-Refusals and all these CPAs have
joined us,” Andrea pointed out.
In case you’ve lost track of Andrea’s volunteer efforts at this point,
get ready because there’s more.
Another thing you might expect — Andrea stays very informed and
opinionated. She’s always ready to make candid suggestions she
thinks might help keep drunk drivers off the road by more stringent
enforcement of laws.
She serves on the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB), the old
Citizens Review Committee — four panels of six or seven appointed
citizens apiece who review HPD’s disciplinary process as it affects
officers.
A few years ago, MADD asked her to speak to a meeting of Houston
area police chiefs. “There were about 50 members from the
command staff level,” she recounted. “I didn’t understand the
politics. I don’t want to know the politics.”
“I definitely enjoy being on that committee,” Andrea said. “I was very
honored that the mayor asked me to be on the IPOB. It’s a very important job. I feel the Police Department does an excellent job of policing
itself with over 5,000 police officers.
She wondered aloud why the various policing agencies didn’t work
together more often in joint venture efforts to curb the number of
drunk drivers on the roadways. She told the group, “We have a drunk
driver problem and it affects all of us. Can we play in the same
sandbox together?”
“The complaints against officers involve only three percent of them and
of that three percent, 70 percent of those are generated internally.
“Most people have to learn to become more in tune with the police
position to be on this committee. You look at the facts, not the
person, the personality. That has made it a lot easier to do my job.”
The ‘Poker Chip’
Inspired by the thought behind police challenge coins, Andrea created
a coin of her own that she passes out “to police officers at random.”
She said, “It’s a poker chip that was cheaper than a metal coin. I
designed it. One time I walked up to an officer in a patrol car doing
paperwork. I knocked on the window and said, ‘Thank you for what
you do,’ and gave him a coin that says “THIS CITIZEN SUPPORTS LAW
ENFORCEMENT. BE SAFE.”
Andrea’s activism in Citizens’ Police Academies has had a domino
effect. When she first discovered these police training sessions
Upon immediate reflection after the meeting, Andrea thought, “I blew
it!” She felt she had put this set of brass on the spot, angered them
and thought they would never want to have anything to do with her.
Then a multi-agency task force involving HPD, the sheriff, DPS, the
Precinct 4 constable and the Tomball police formed and worked
together in one area with a high rate of DWIs.
Andrea conversed with a sergeant who attended the original
meeting and told him she figured “you all will never ask me to another
meeting again.”
The sergeant set her straight, saying, “What you perceived as anger
was embarrassment. We want you here (at meetings) because you
stood up and said that.”
Saying THANKS!
Obituaries
Ashford
Mr. Arthur Ashford, Jr. passed away on Oct. 29. He is the brother of Senior
Police Officer Roosevelt “Rooster” Ashford, assigned as a Helicopter
Pilot with the Air Support Division. Services were held Nov. 8 in
Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Baker
Clarence Wade Baker, 60, passed away on Nov. 15. He is the son of retired
Sgt. Thomas E. Baker, who retired Feb. 16, 1985. Services were held Nov.
22 in Pasadena.
Burton
Mr. Edward Burton passed away on Nov. 3. He is the father of Jail Attendant
Stacie M. Varnado, assigned to the Jail Division. Services were held Nov. 15
in New Orleans.
Clark
Senior Contract Administrator, Teresa K. Clark, assigned to the Crime Lab,
was involved in a major vehicle accident and passed away on Nov. 21. She
is survived by her daughter and grandchildren. Services were held in Taylor.
Cockrell
Mr. Charles F. Cockrell, 93, passed away on Oct. 23. He is the grandfather of
Sgt. Edward R. Godwin, III, assigned to the Midwest Division, and uncle of
Capt. Richard Bownds, commander of the Northwest Division. Mr. Cockrell
was a veteran of the United States Navy Air Corps and served in World War
II. He also served as the City Attorney of West University. He was preceded
in death by his wife, Mrs. Yvonne Marie Bownds, who passed away in 2001.
Services were held Oct. 28 with burial in Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Dennany
Teresa L. Dennany passed away on Nov. 14. She is the sister of Sgt. Rhonda
P. Stepchinski, assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Division. She wa
preceded in death by her husband, Frank Dennany. Services were held Nov.
18 with burial in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Guy
Jimmy Guy passed away Nov. 8. He is the brother of Jail Attendant Sarah
Guy-Jackson, assigned to the Jail Division. Services were held Nov. 15 with
burial in Paradise Cemetery.
Hilton
Retired Senior Office Assistant Neva Jean Hilton passed away Oct. 28. Jean
began her career Oct. 22, 1962 as a Parking Monitor and retired March 31,
1992. While working for the Department, Jean was assigned to Special
Operations, Central, Fleet, Southeast, Internal Affairs, Southwest and
Westside. Services were held Oct. 30.
Mathews
Mr. Albert George Mathews passed away on Nov. 1. He is the father of
Administrative Aide Melanye Ferguson, assigned to the Juvenile Division.
Services were held Nov. 8.
McCall
Mr. Lloyd McCall, 76, passed away. He is the father of Lt. Darren B. McCall,
assigned to the Jail Division, and grandfather of Jail Attendant Darren
McCall II, assigned to the Jail Division. He is also survived by his wife of
52 years, Mrs. JoAnn McCall, and daughter, Adria Chenier. Burial was in
Paradise Cemetery.
Noftsier
Mr. Ronald J. Noftsier, 78, passed away on Nov. 14. He is the father of Senior
Evidence Technician Donald P. Noftsier, assigned to the Property Division,
and Evidence Technician Richard W. Noftsier, assigned to the Crime Lab.
Mr. Noftsier was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the
Vietnam War. He is also survived by his wife of 50 years, Pat Noftsier, and
daughter, Debra. Services were held Nov. 24 with burial in Houston National
Cemetery.
Parker
Rev. W. J. Parker passed away. He is the father of Senior Police Officer Garry
Wayne Parker, assigned to the Southeast Division. Services were held Nov.
15 with burial in Houston Memorial Gardens.
Petroski
Retired Sgt. Daniel James “Pete” Petroski, Sr., 82, passed away Nov. 10.
He was a veteran of the United States Army. Sgt. Petroski joined Police
Academy Class No. 19 on Sept. 8, 1958. He retired on Feb. 4, 1988. Sgt.
Petroski is survived by his wife, Margaret, and daughter, Susan. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel James “Pete” Petroski, Jr. in 2012. Services
were held Nov. 15 with burial in Houston National Cemetery.
Preiss
Retired Senior Trainer Paulette Preiss passed away on Oct. 20. She joined the
department on June 16, 1998, and retired on May 1, 2007. Her last assignment was with the Training Division in the Cadet Training Unit. Services
were held Nov. 15.
Richardson
Retired Data Entry Operator Wanda A. Richardson passed away on Oct. 20.
She joined the department on March 4, 1980, and retired on March 10, 2000.
She was last assigned to the Identification Division. She is survived by her
two sons, Wilson Murphy and Waidric Murphy; and sister, Felicia Tokes.
Rodgers
Lt. Colonel Don Charles Rodgers Retired, passed away Oct. 31. He is the
grandfather of Police Officer Gary D. Rodgers, assigned to the Central
Division. Mr. Rodgers served in the Air force and was a veteran of the
Vietnam War. Services were held Nov. 7 in San Antonio.
Walter
Obituaries
Mrs. Mildred A. Walter, 94, passed away on Nov. 12. She is the mother
of Stable Attendant Claudia J. Walter, assigned to the Special Operations
Division, Mounted Patrol Unit. She is survived by three daughters, seven
grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Services were scheduled to be
held in January 2015 in Tucson, Arizona.
Williamson
Retired Senior Police Officer Michael L. Williamson passed away on
Nov. 13. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He joined Police
Academy Class No. 73 on Jan. 19, 1976. During his career he served at the
North Division, Jail Division, Tactical Support Command, Traffic/Accident
Division, Employment Services Division, Major Offenders Division, Burglary
& Theft Division and the Training Division. Officer Williamson retired on
Jan. 23, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Susan, son, daughter, and two
grandchildren. Private memorial services were held.
Sellers
Beauford Sellers passed away Nov. 15. He is the father of Senior Police
Officer Tony J. Sellers, assigned to the Northeast Division. Services were
held Nov. 22 with burial in Golden Gate Cemetery.
Thaler
Mrs. Marjorie Thaler passed away on Nov. 20. She is the surviving spouse
of retired Capt. E. R. Thaler, who passed away July 4, 2011; mother of
Pasadena Chief of Police and retired Executive Assistant Chief Michael W.
Thaler; and grandmother of Police Officer Brittany R. Thaler-Villa, assigned
to the Westside Division, and Brittany’s husband, Police Officer Tony Villa,
assigned to the Central Division.
Turner
Retired Sgt. Tommy G. Turner passed away Nov. 17. Tommy joined the
Department June 1, 1971 as a member of Academy Class No. 50 and
retired June 17, 2006. During his career Tommy was assigned to the Jail,
Southwest, Westside, Major Offenders, Internal Affairs and Burglary and
Theft Divisions. He is survived by his three children.
Now almost every time any area DWI task force meets you will find
Andrea there leading a group of volunteers from MADD, the CPAs or
both to help support the effort in any appropriate way possible.
Time about is fair all around. On Thursday evening, Nov. 20, the HPOU
hosted an appreciation dinner for Andrea and the entire Houston
Burdick’s sister paid her a visit in Houston. The fact that Burdick was
killed as the result of a drunk driver was apparently covered up due
to the driver’s status in the community and its effects on his family
and his former fiancée.
“I sort of felt like he died all over again when I heard the news,”
Andrea explained. “I had spent 25 years feeling sorry for the woman
who hit him. She was a prominent member of the community was
what I was told. I don’t know her name. I was unable to get copies of
the police report.”
After learning these details, Andrea stepped up her personal
crusade against drunk drivers, meeting MADD executive director
Linda Kitazaki through her boss, Houston attorney Howard L. Nations.
Kitazaki asked Andrea to give a speech detailing her experience at a
MADD fundraising event. Andrea has never forgotten David Burdick
and how a drunk driver affected her life. Kitazaki took MADD through
many years of productive leadership before her unexpected death
from heart complications in December 2007.
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, which volunteers to
help the Department and the Union in any way possible just about any
time they are asked or feel they can help.
It was a great THANK YOU not only to Andrea but what you might say
is “a growing number of good people.”
In 2008, Andrea won the MADD Southeast Texas — Linda Kitazaki
Award, named for Kitazaki and “awarded to a volunteer for
unwavering support to the mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.”
It is but one of four major awards that now list Andrea Schmauss as
a winner. The others are:
Mayor’s Volunteer Houston Award in May 2012 “For outstanding
accomplishments of local volunteers who have committed significant
hands-on volunteer time and talent in support of the Houston community.”
Houston Young Lawyers Association — Liberty Bell Award in April
2011. The purpose of the award is to recognize one outstanding
non-lawyer in Texas who has made the most selfless contribution to
his or her community to strengthen the effectiveness of the American
system of justice by instilling better understanding and appreciation
of the law.
The Crime Stoppers of Houston (May 2010) – The Leiv Platou Award
that is awarded to a citizen “who has made a significant contribution
to public safety through volunteerism in the community.
The latest products now available
in the HPOU store
Psych Services
Let’s examine the differences between cocky
overconfidence and unhappiness/ inadequacy
By LISA GARMEZY
A recent high school reunion left me thinking about the roots
of confidence. Back then, so many of us were insecure about,
well, everything.
We know that although most kids feel good about themselves in
the late elementary school years, their confidence starts shrinking
around age 12. Sadly, self-esteem drops more rapidly for girls than
for boys, due in part to anxiety about their bodies and appearance.
Do we start building—or wrecking—confidence the day we bring a
child home from the hospital? Probably.
In a culture that constantly emphasizes beauty, we have to teach girls
to value their unique bodies. Moms can set an important example of
loving their own shapes. (To learn more, go to www.dove.us and click
“Girls’ Self-Esteem” under the “Mission” tab.)
Certainly toddlers can be encouraged or discouraged by the way we
respond to their attempts to do things. Child psychologist Rudolf
Dreikurs said that we tell them they’re inadequate “in a thousand
subtle ways”—they are too little for certain activities, too slow at
dressing themselves, and so on. Kids need, he said, the “courage to
be imperfect.”
The negative messages can echo in a child’s head when new
challenges come up. As Tina Fey said in Bossypants, “You can’t be
that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have
to go down the chute.”
So to help your child feel capable and optimistic, give criticism
carefully. The American Academy of Pediatrics says feedback should
be specific, e.g., “If you throw the ball like this, it might help.” Avoid
making the problem seem personal or permanent, as in “You’re
clumsy,” or “You won’t make it.”
On the other hand, a steady diet of praise can leave kids thinking that
mediocre effort is just fine. The former chancellor of the Washington
DC school system got tired of her kids receiving trophies even though
they “suck at soccer.” Praise and reward real effort more than
accomplishments that come easily.
Risk and Reward
Effort matters – if a child never does anything difficult, he won’t
learn just how competent he can be. Self-esteem grows when kids
feel successful. So please, don’t clear all the challenges out of your
children’s paths. Let them make some tough choices; it’s good practice.
And when they screw up, as they inevitably will, we can teach that
“mistakes are for learning.” Most goofs aren’t catastrophic. When
we can forgive ourselves, and perhaps even show ourselves the
compassion we would show others, we are better able to handle
life’s setbacks.
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, was asked every night over
dinner, “What have you failed at?” Her family taught that not
attempting something new was a far more serious offense than
failing. After she flunked the law school admissions test twice, the
lesson made her $1.1 billion—on panties.
The Cafeteria Quandary
Finally, parents need to take peer relationships seriously, and give
kids the social skills they need to succeed. Take a typical school day,
when Adam spills milk on Bob during lunch. Bob can be angry and
assume Adam did it on purpose. Or, he can be fearful and not sure if
it was an accident, but too passive to ask. Peers don’t like either one
of those kids.
Well-liked children in this situation figure that the spilled milk was
an accident. They clean up and/or ask the other kid how it happened.
Take note that the cynicism some police officers develop does not
play well at school. Passing on the attitude that “no one cares about
your milk,” will interfere with your kids’ ability to form friendships.
Self-esteem grows from getting along well with others, and to
do that, children need to have positive expectations of the people
around them.
Smooth Sailing
Does it matter? If you want your kids to associate with healthy
successful children, it does. It matters, too, if you want your kid to be
confident when facing the big game, the big test, or the big question
of how far to go when parents look away.
Healthy self-respect means that our sons and daughters will have
less need to base their sense of worth on the opinions of others.
When less easily swayed by peers, they can pay more attention to the
values taught at home.
This part of parenting requires steering your child through a
narrow channel between cocky overconfidence on one side and
unhappiness and inadequacy on the other. We wish you and your
children a safe journey.
If kids never try, they’ll never succeed. But while we want them to
take some risks, such as those involved in launching new products or
trying out for teams, we need them to avoid others, such as the ones
that lead to unplanned pregnancy or arrest. No one said parenting
was easy! Again, letting children make age-appropriate decisions
helps sharpen critical thinking skills.
Transportation
2001 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom candy paint job with airbrushed skulls. Hard chrome exhaust, Baron Drag handle bars,
Forward Controls, Shaved rear fender, license plate side mount,
Hypercharger intake, skull hand mirrors and much more. Firm on
price, cash only, no trades, no payment plan, no test drive. $5500
cash. Text Juan 713-269-4222. Serious buyers only please.
2010 Harley Davidson Road King, 19000 miles, Full One Year HD
Warranty transferable. Black with pin stripping and Cobra Pipes.
Excellent Condition. $14,700. Call Bill at 713-725-6559.
2011 Custom BBQ Concession Trailer $17000 OBO Perfect
for Catering, Events, BBQ Competitions, Concessions, etc.
Trailer features 2 Pits & 1 Rib Smoker (fit up to 18 briskets),
Outside Firebox, Air Conditioner, Breaker Box, Double Sink,
1 Separate Hand-Wash Sink, Waste Holding Water Tank, Fresh
Water Tank, Water- Pump, Serving Window, Washable-Formica
Laminated Counter Tops, Vinyl Linoleum Flooring, cabinets for
storage, Lockable Entry Door, tandem Axle, and Briggs Stratton
900 Generator. For more information please email Jennifer at
[email protected]
2001 Yamaha V-Star 650 custom paint job with airbrushed skulls.
Hard chrome exhaust, Baron Drag handle bars, Forward Controls,
Shaved rear fender, license plate side mount, Hypercharger
intake, skull hand mirrors and much more. Firm on price, cash
only, no trades, no payment plan, no test drive. $5500 cash. Text
Juan 713-269-4222. Serious buyers only please.
2006 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc Silver/Blue color, 1300cc, it has
full Muzzy exhaust, Rear LED Tail light, HID headlight, Lowering
Kit, Rear steel brake line, rear wave rotor, license plate side
mount, current mileage is 6,194 miles. Firm on price, cash only,
no trades, no payment plan, no test drive. $7500 cash. Text Juan
713- 269-4222. Serious buyers only please.
2005 Harley-Davidson FatBoy 15th Yr. Edition Black with silver
pin stripe, 16K miles, Great condition!! Python staggered dual
pipes with Stage 1 kit installed by H-D sounds great! lowering
kit, side license plate mount LED brake light, some custom parts,
$9,900 obo. Call or text Augustine 832-577-4373 pls leave msg.
08 CVO Road King $21,000 obo. This bike is gorgeous, must see In
person to appreciate. It has 33K well taken care of miles. Contact
Josh 281-704-0176
2008 BMW R1200 RT-P (police) Motorcycle Original owner,
ridden daily and maintained parade spotless throughout, within
past 1500 miles new tires (oem Conti RoadAttack), 4 new spark
plugs, new brake pads front and rear. $12,000. Contact Wil
832-922-7820 or [email protected]
2008 Roadmaster Trailer, 27', V-Nose, Tram axle 7,000 pd,
GWVR 14,000 pds, 8' wide. Ramp and side door, sky light, air
vent, E-Torec system with connectors, Sway bar weight disc
system, electric brakes with safety cable, new spare, all like new
$10,000.00 Call 936-635-9326
2007 Harley-Limited Production Screaming Eagle Road King.
Black with factory custom flame paint. Less than 5K miles. Bike
has $20,000 in factory extra asking $35,000. J.T. Templeton
817-480-1543 or 817-321-8645
For Rent/Lease/Sale
Looking for a new home, or considering selling your existing home?
Call Tammy Stevens a licensed Realtor with Century 21
Paramount, and wife of a Houston Police Officer. I specialize
in the SE Houston area, including Clear Lake, League City,
Friendswood, and Galveston county. I can assist you with buying,
selling, or leasing a home. Reduce the stress of the real estate
process, use a professional that understands your needs. Call
Tammy Stevens with Century 21 Paramount at 281-507-9405 or
email at [email protected].
Colorado Land: 5.3 acres in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. In nice
mountain sub-division where each lot is on 5 plus acres. The
sub-division is called The Meadows and there amenities such as
a community club house with in door poor, work out machines,
and racket ball courts. There are also 3 private stocked lakes
for fishing. The area is only 25 miles from Wolf Creek Ski area
and 61 miles from Durango. Reduced to 55,000. Call Doug G. Bell
at 817-573-1675.
2 Lots in Sargent on Canal, minutes from the beach and access
to the intercoastal. Water and septic on the property. $39,500.
Call Andy 713-504-2272.
Bay Home - Matagorda Bay Area. Listed with Keller Williams,
Sharon Gilmore. $99,500
House and land for sale off Hwy 105 between Cleveland and
Conroe. Custom built house on 21.5 fenced acres. House is 3/2
with double detached garage. Price includes a Kubota tractor.
If interested to see, contact Ford Realty at 936-756-3673.
9305 Faulkner Road, Cleveland, TX. Owner is retired HPD officer
J.D. Middleton. Price has been reduced. MLS # is #30683353
New Listing! - $259,900 Charming custom built brick home
finished in 1999 on 1.5 acres of oaks, cedars, youpons and abundant wildlife. 3/2/2, CH/CA, recent upgrades including Silestone
Countertops, Polywood Plantation Shutters throughout, Tile and
Laminate flooring, some carpet. Well, Septic, and La Grange ISD.
Six miles South of La Grange off FM 609 on Valenta Rd., one mile
down, red brick house on left. Owners relocating. Offered by
Realtor/Owner Vickey Grieger (979) 249-667
Country living in Brazos County between Navasota and College
Station. This home on 6 beautiful acres is the perfect setting for
those wanting to live in a quiet rural setting that is close to the
city. The main house is a 2,800 sq. ft. 3 Bdr. 2.5 Ba. with a large
office area and a 2 car garage. The guest house is a newly built
1 Bdr. 1 Ba. detached home that is ideal for the Mother-in-law
or visiting friends or family. Additional features include a large,
enclosed tractor bay and hay barn as well as horse/cattle pens.
Good producing well and domestic water provided by Wellborn
Water. Neighbors include active and retired firefighters and
police officers. Price just reduced to sell; $347,500. Call for
details. Tim Gallagher (979)676–1621
7.81 Acres in the Texas Hill Country Great Building Site for your
Dream Home or Heavenly Hideaway! Wolf Creek Ranch in Burnet
County! 1 BR, 1 Bath, 4-Sided Rock Apartment attached to 2-Car
Garage! Metal Roof, 50-Gallon Water Tank, Septic large enough
for 4000 sf home. Call Debbie with Highland Lakes Real Estate at
512-796-0187. Owner is an HPD Retiree
For Sale. 6320 Westcreek Pearland. Unrestricted on .75 acres,
remodeled interior, separate workshop. Prudential Gary Greene,
Realtors. Diane Mireles, 281-723-2888.
Colorado River property 35 min from Houston. Beautiful 24+
acre tracts of land on the bank of the Colorado River. Covered
with huge Live Oak trees and County Rd access. Each tract has
more than a hundred yards of river frontage for fishing, swimming, boating or waterfowl. Tracts are 100% wooded and covered
with Whitetail deer, hog and other wildlife. This Riverfront
property is absolutely gorgeous and an awesome location for
a weekend getaway, permanent residence or merely an investment property. Property had same owner for last 50 years and
is basically undisturbed. 12k acre, property will not be broken up
in small tracts to maintain all land owners privacy. If interested
in owning your own riverfront property for personal or family
recreation, please call or text 361-208-4055
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo for rent (2nd floor).North West;
7402 Alabonson #708, Houston, TX 77088 "Inwood Pines"; 290/
Bingle area. Available for move in 12-01-2011, very quiet complex,
minutes from downtown. $685 per month. Officer M. Douglas
832-687-4985 after 10:30 am.
4000 sq ft Home on 2+ acres - 3 minutes from Lake Sam Rayburn
access. Must see $250,000.00 Phone 936-635-9326
Wooded Interior Lot in Westwood Shores on Lake Livingston,
golf, camping, tennis, swimming, and boating $1200, Please call
Kim 832-768-6612
Great country get away. Small 2 bd/2 ba house near Hearne
Tx. Near plenty of hunting leases, golf course, and Brazos River
fishing. 450/month plus deposit. Greg @ 281-330-7778
2 Bedroom 2 Bath Condo Tapatio Springs in Boerne, Texas
Completely furnished. Call Retired Sgt H.A. Stevens 877-522-4455
One Acre Lot in Elgin, TX Off Hwy.95, Near 290. The lot is in an
exclusive and restricted gated community (The Arbor of Dogwood
Creek). The subdivision has paved road, tennis court, jogging
trail, pavillion and more. This wooded lot is located in a cul-desac. Asking $26,000. Contact M.L. Sistrunk 281-788-0256
Great Home in Rockport, TX Built in 2005, this Comfortable 3/2
bath single story stucco home is located in a gated community on
12.33 acres. Amenities include: tile roof, heated pool and hot tub,
attached oversized 3 car garage (30x35), and a large detached
metal workshop (36x36) with large garage doors and a 15 ton
hoist, covered patio areas both in front and back, a circle drive,
and plenty of room for parking. There are two stocked fishing
ponds, and horses are allowed. Priced to sell. For info contact
Rebecca Lee @ 361-729-4404, Coldwell Banker MLS ID#113208.
What an amazing deal! Charming three bedroom two bath patio
home located in a great gated community at 3123 Lavender
Candle Dr. Spring, TX. Property includes a two car attached
garage, master suite, cozy fire place and much more for only
$1,300.00 month. Price is negotiable. Please contact Officer
Edith Maldonado at 832-434-4266 or [email protected].
Summer Rental Galveston Beach House. 3br 2 bath. Sleeps
8-10. Great Gulf view just steps from the beach. Newly renovated/
updated. H.L. Richter HPD (ret) 936-329-1456
1 Bedroom Unit For Rent Village Wood Town homes 1529 Wirt
Rd/Spring Branch. Utilities paid. Basic cable. Excellent Location.
Joe Scott 713-935-9137
Lake Livingston Townhome 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath For rent Call
832-876-5511 or 713-459-8111
House for Rent: Bear Creek Area. 3 Bedroom/Game room.
Cy-Fair School District. Swimming Pool. $1095.00/month. Call
832-282-5216.
Miscellaneous
Guns for Sale 1955 Hammond console organ, not working $300.
1903 Nickle plated double action, Smith & Wesson .32 long ctg
$375. 1893 Chicago Firearms Antique Palm Protector .32 caliber
pistol $1,375. Call Rose Ellison 713.252.3262
Classifieds
Remington 700 .243 Win caliber. BDL Custom Deluxe model
Bolt Action rifle with 22” barrel, gloss finish, 5-shot capacity,
and walnut stock. Mint in box. Paid $925 in 1996. Asking $675.
Call James 713-503-5107
Four person pedal boat with canopy. Call 713-459-8111
for pictures.
2 pair of HPD Motorcycle boots 9 1/2 - 10. Very good condition.
$150.00 obo 832-731-0900
Rest Haven section 21, lot 180, spaces 1, 2, and 3 monument
valued at $3595.00 asking for $2300.00 each. 713.501.3824 Willie
New Listing For Sale solid wood twin bedroom set, many pieces
Call 713-459-8111
Cemetary Lot, Grand View Memorial Park in Pasadena. Lot 157.
Garden of Devotion $1,200. Contact Amy 832-729-1975.
Crypt For Sale Forest Park Westheimer Excellent location
“Inside” Ready to sell 281-686-9490
Brookside Cemetery Spaces 2,3 $2750 per space. Section 234
(old section) [email protected] C.V. Thompson 254-947-8524
Garden Park Cemetery, Conroe, Texas. Lawn Crypt section 4,
lot 30, spaces 7&8. Very well kept Cemetery, 4,000 ea. Call Doug
Bell 817-573-1675
Two cemetery lots. Grand view Memorial Park 8500 Spencer
highway in Pasadena. The cemetery sells the lots for $4495 each.
We are asking $6500 for both. Call Charlie Everts 409 739-1206
Handcrafted leather cross key chains tooled and personalized,
$1.50 each (including shipping). Limit 5 letters, chain included.
Other products available. For more info or to order call Justin, 14
year old son of an HPD Officer, at 936-499-4385
Westwood Campng Club Membership, Trinity, Texas, $3,500.00
/ OBO Retired Officer A.L. Albritton 936-890-4374 or 830-221-5152
FREE MONEY: $2,000 COMMISSION REBATE to HPOU members
when they buy or sell a house. James Cline, Realtor, 281-548-3131
or www.2cashback.org
Magnetic Signs white 24”x6” with “POLICE” in bold 21”x5” black
letters. Pair $25. Call 936-327-3205 HPD Parents company
Services
Absolute Clean Pressure Washing. Woodlands, Spring and
Tomball areas: Discount for all Police Officers and family
members. Call Today 281-731-8450
Mediation Under my leadership the parties themselves
resolve the issues of the dispute. My impartial problem
-solving mediation succeeds with or without attorneys.
www.PaulRodriguezMediations.com
713/785-8181
[email protected]
BUSINESS OWNERSHIP- THE NEXT THING IN FITNESS, MASSAGE
& NUTRITION Own you Business and Start Taking Advantage of
the Coming Tipping Point with Insurance Mandates. "Efficiency
Wellness” is an all inclusive approach to wellness that addresses
today’s busy lifestyle. You Retain 100% control of Your Business,
No Franchise or Royalty Fees. TEXANS HELPING TEXANS - U.S.
Headquarters in Brookshire Texas. Master Territories Still Open
to include Houston and U.S. Locations. Start and Fund this
Business using Tax Free Monies from your Retirement Accounts.
Come see our Studio in Katy Texas and experience the Next
Generation in Self Directed Health and Wellness. Husband to a
23 year Police Veteran and my hopes are to have short 2-way
learning conversation. Please contact troy@ wellnesscenterdevelopers.com visit the website www. WellnessCenterDevelopers.
com or call 713-253-2923
Tax Preparation From Home Office 40% - 50% Lower Fees.
Contact for estimate L. Dexter Price, CPA [email protected]
832.243.1477
All natural skin care products for the whole family. Handmade
soaps, lotions and body scrubs will nourish you skin. Great for
gifts and everyday use. Ask about our Mother’s Day special.
Call Lisa and Jim at 936-648-6145 or www.goodcleanlivin.com.
Gold Rush Tax Service 281-399-3188 Same Day Refund Special
Police Officer Rates Brenda Webb (retired officer’s wife) brenda@
goldrushtax.com
Main Street Builders Residential and Commercial Construction
Licensed and Insured. David Webber (owner) Rt HPD 832-618-2009
Gone Fishing wantafishtx.com Jim Hobson retired 936-615-2777
or [email protected] Vickey Grieger, Realtor Cell:
(979) 249-6675 Fax: (775) 373-5048 [email protected]
TSR Country Properties 115 West Fayette Street, Fayetteville,
TX 78940 Office (979) 378-2222 Fax (979) 378-2240
Why rent when you can own while keeping your monthly
payments about the same. For more info call 281-914-7351
Houston’s Wedding People Wedding Services, Wedding cakes,
Decorations, Chair covers, Favors Call today for free taste testing
and consultation 281-881-5027 www.houstonsweddingpeople.com
Mini Storage Police officer discount. 290 area. Call Dave for
details 713-460-4611
MOMs Helping MOMs Work from Home! Computer Required.
www.myhomebiz4u.com Paula A. Weatherly Independent Avon
Representative To buy or sell AVON, contact me! Lots of great
products at unbelievable prices! Start your AVON career for only
$10! [email protected] or www.youravon.com/pweatherly
281-852-8605 Smile! Jesus Loves Us!
Discount on Moonwalk Rentals Rent a moonwalk for your
special occasion. We deliver and pick up so you don’t have to!
Please call Officer Chris DeAlejandro at 713-922-8166 or Carla
DeAlejandro at 713-384-5361. Please let us know that you’re Law
Enforcement Personal.
Home Inspections by TexaSpec Inspections. Free foundation
evaluations and alarm systems for HPD. State Licensed ICC
Certified Inspector. 281-370-6803.
Have a special day coming up? Let us make it even more special
with Eten Candy custom chocolate candies. From birthdays, weddings, and every holiday. We even do bachelor and bachelorette
parties. Why not have party favors that everyone will remember
and talk about. Just e-mail Jessica at [email protected]
for more info. Candies are made to suit your needs
Need help in forgiving or forgetting. Call Linda McKenzie for
more info on Christ centered counseling services 282-261-2952
or 832-250-6016 where everyone is given the opportunity for a
fresh start
Your Travel, Tax, Health, & Nutritional needs. We can get you
where you want to go, and keep you healthy doing it. Contact Greg
& Cathy Lewis 832-969-0502 or 832 969 0503
“Photos to Albums”. Your memories creatively designed in an
album. Any occasion, celebration, family trips. Call Theresa Arlen
at 832-229-6292.
Piano Lessons: 30 minutes for $15.00.Student Recitals. Call
Daniel Jones at 281-487-9328 or cell: 713-557-4362
Calling All Mothers of Houston Police Officers. As a proud
mother of a Houston Police Officer, I am interested in starting a
support group of Mothers of Houston Police Officers (MOHPO). I
need your support. Please call me for more info: Frances Runnels
at 713-436-0794 after 6 p.m. weekdays.
De’Vine Events Planning a wedding is stressful, but it doesn’t
have to be. For all your wedding needs, Contact Diana, Certified
Wedding Consultant at (713) 598-4931.
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers A place for Christians to
come together and encourage one another. For information about
other activities visit www.fcpohouston.org.
For All Your Gun and Ammo Needs Black Gold Guns & Ammo.
Buy, Sell & Trade 713-694-4887
Wanted
Aurelia E Weems, CPA formerly Dumar Consulting returns to
HPOU for its 9th Year to provide discounted tax services for
officers and their families. Please watch for us on Mondays and
Thursdays from 9:00am-2:00pm at the Union building at 1602
State Street. We are available to meet at any HPD location for
the ease of the officers as well as accept information via email or
fax. If you have any questions please contact Aurelia E Weems,
CPA at (936) 273-1188 or (281) 363-4555 or visit us on the web at
www.aewcpa.com
In search of Artex, liquid embroidery dealer. Please contact
Donna at 281-782-3144
Widow of police officer looking for vehicle used/good condition
under $2000.00. Could owner carry notes. 281.782.3144
HPD Commemorative Pistols I'm looking to buy one or two
of the HPD commemorative pistols. I seem to recall they were
offered around 1978-1982. Joe Salvato (Ret.) 281-728-0131
TAX PREPARATION From Home Office. Low Fees - $65 up.
L. Dexter Price, CPA. ldexterprice@ comcast.net 713.826.4777
Wanted Beretta 9MM FS “Police Special” (Black or Stainless)
Please call Zach (832) 457-0647.
Are you tired of making the same New Year's Resolution? Are
you ready to take control of your life? We have solutions, take
control of your health, time & finances! For more info. Please
call: Stacy @ 832-651-5739
Wanted Top CA$H Paid for your used or unwanted guns.
Blackgold Guns & Ammo 713-694-4867 Police Officer Owned
Smith and Wesson MP40 automatic. Pistol is 12 months old and
has fired 3 boxes of shells. Piston comes with crimson trace laser
and two magazines. Asking $700. Please contact 281-782-9606.
Residential and Commercial Remodeling Kitchens and
counter tops, ceramic and wood floors, interior and exterior
painting, handyman services, with discount prices for the Law
Enforcement family. Larry Baimbridge, Sr. 281-655-4880
12ga. Weatherby SA-08 Semi-Auto Shotgun 28" Barrel, 3"
Chamber w/Extended IC Choke Tube Asking $650.00 / O.B.O
Contact Hugh 281-222-4605
Hunting Weekend Expedition Affordable prices, private
property. Whitetails, exotics & pigs. Call for details Officer Mike
Gonzalez 713-702-5838 or email [email protected]
Colt .45 HPD Commemorative Pistol Call Paul 713-240-4672
2 Horse Trailer or 14 - 16 ft. Stock Trailer. Bumper Pull. R. Webb
281-399-1212 Cell 713-822-1867
Looking for a home or bare land? Contact retired officer,
DALLAS BINGLEY at Kerrville Realty - in the Heart of the Hill
Country: (O) 830-896-2200 or (M) 830-739-1766 dallasb@dallasb.
name

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