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Texas’ Largest Police Union
Vo l . X X X X N o . 9
The Publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union
The President’s Message
Ray Hunt
www.HPOU.org
September 2014
Remember,
Our HPD Family
Has its Own
Code 1 Assist
Available 24/7
Each time one hears an officer drop an assist, everyone in the area
races to help. We need to do the same when we sense someone
needing personal assistance or just a friend to help a brother or
sister officer get through a rough time.
Gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, center, headlined a list of legislative
candidates and incumbents for state offices at a recent meeting at HPOU. They
are, left to right, Dennis Paul, state representative candidate in District 129;
Mike Schofield, state representative candidate in District 132; state Sen. Joan
Huffman; Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson; Texas Municipal
Police Association Secretary Aaron Crowell; HPOU President Ray Hunt; state
Sen. Larry Taylor; State Rep. Debbie Riddle; State Rep. Allen Fletcher; State
Rep. Dwayne Bohac and State Rep. Sarah Davis. GARY HICKS PHOTO
The recent loss of one of our own was a like a death in the family. It’s
always difficult when we lose an officer to illness or a line of duty
death, but leaves many at a loss of words when suicide is the cause.
I want to remind every police officer in Houston that we have
several resources beyond our friends, family, partner riding next to
us or our fellow police officers.
The Houston Police Officers’ Union started a peer assistance
hotline a few months ago. The idea came from Second Vice
President Joe Gamaldi, who worked for NYPD and saw such a
program succeeding there.
Houston Police Officers’ Union
1600 State Street
Houston, Texas 77007
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 7227
The program, named HOPA (Houston Officers Peer Assistance),
is available 24/7, 365 days a year to all active and retired Houston
police officers. The hotline number is 832 200 3499, is staffed by
trained retired officers and is completely confidential.
These retired officers went through extensive training and are
dedicated to helping you get through tough times in your life and/
or career. HOPA is hope when you feel like you have none. No one,
including Internal Affairs, will know who calls for assistance.
If you need another badge to lean on, please call the hotline. If you
see a brother or sister officer who is going through tough times, be
that person who jots down the number and gives it to them.
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.
For those seeking professional assistance, the HPD Psychological
Services is available for officers and their families. Their hours are
7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Fridays.
Their number is 832 394 1440.
Continues on Page 5A
Page 1A Badge & Gun • September 2014
BadgeGun September 2014 Issue.indd 1
9/7/14 11:49 PM
HPOU Board of Directors
Executive Board
Ray Hunt
Doug Griffith
1st Vice-President
(713) 501-4991
[email protected]
President
(281) 701-5428
[email protected]
Joseph Gamaldi
2nd Vice-President
(832) 283-9492
[email protected]
Will Reiser
Secretary
(281) 923-1626
[email protected]
Board Members
J.G. Garza
Director 1
(832) 875-1377
[email protected]
Gary Hicks
Director 2
(832) 368-6283
[email protected]
Jeff Wagner
Director 3
(832) 512-8732
[email protected]
Robert Breiding
Director 4
(713) 854-6391
[email protected]
David Riggs
Director 5
(281) 387-8935
[email protected]
Terry Wolfe
Director 6
(832) 341-0165
[email protected]
Don Egdorf
Director 7
(713) 240-6033
[email protected]
Bubba Caldwell
Director 8
(281) 924-4498
[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
(832) 419-9589
(832) 606-9502
(832) 513-5110
(832) 677-0137
(281) 924-3015
(281) 798-5051
(832) 293-1495
(281) 924-6369
[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
(281) 924-3016
(832) 494-8244
(832) 731-9361
(832) 291-9004
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Mark Clark
Executive Director
(832) 200-3434
[email protected]
Tim Butler
Treasurer
(713) 204-4372
[email protected]
Cole Lester
Dana Hitzman
Joslyn Johnson
Randy Upton
Assistant Secretary 2nd Assistant Secretary
Parliamentarian
Sergeant at Arms
(281) 924-3003
(832) 642-9899
(281) 352-6236
(832) 731-7501
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
9/7/14 11:49 PM
BADGE&GUN
Voice of the Houston Police Officers’ Union
Published monthly at no subscription charge
by the:
Editorial
PAC Endorses HPOU
Friends Abbott and Patrick
THIS ELECTION YEAR OFFERS THE RARE OPPORTUNITY in Texas to elect a new governor and
lieutenant governor. There is no incumbent in either race.
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
HPOU PAC has chosen to endorse the two Republican candidates for these offices, Greg Abbott
for governor and Dan Patrick for lieutenant governor. These two gentlemen have been deeply
committed to law enforcement officers in Texas and, particularly, the police officers in their
hometown. (Yes, for the first time ever, both competitors for the state’s two top offices are
from Houston).
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.
Greg Abbott, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and the current state attorney general, has
always maintained a great working relationship with the HPOU. Abbott consistently seeks input
from the Union on matters that impact HPD officers. He pledged to us his continued support of
working police officers and will look to HPOU to provide him with insights and information on all
issues impacting police officers in Texas. We can’t ask for anything more from a new governor
of Texas.
Patrick, an incumbent state senator, has been a loyal and faithful supporter of HPOU and its
members. He personally knows many HPD officers and was raised around a close family member
who was a career police officer in Baltimore, Maryland. Patrick understands and respects police
officers and supports us in our effort to protect our earned benefits and job safeguards that are
ADVERTISEMENT IN THE BADGE & governed at both the state and local level. HPOU members couldn’t ask for a better man to oversee
GUN DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, the vast legislative flow in the Texas Senate.
A WARRANTY
THE UNION.
OR
A
GUARANTEE
BY
HPOU PAC strongly suggests a vote for two of its greatest friends in Austin – Greg Abbott for
governor and Dan Patrick for lieutenant governor in the November election.
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Badge & Gun
1600 State Street
Houston, TX 77007
Fax: 832-200-3470
Important Numbers
ATO: 713-223-4ATO
Badge & Gun: 832-200-3400
HPOU Offices: 832-200-3400
1-800-846-1167
Insurance Fax: 832-200-3470
Legal Services: 832-200-3420
Legal Fax: 832-200-3426
email: [email protected]
www.hpou.org
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Continues from Page 1A
For after-hours emergencies, a doctor can be contacted 24/7 by
calling the command center at 713 308 1500. Our staff
psychologists are here to provide assistance in their offices or at your
home in emergency situations. Dr. Lethermon and her staff are ready
and willing to assist.
There is nothing wrong with seeking assistance in times of need.
Thanks Chief!
Back on August 21st, Chief McClelland held his regular media
briefing. At that briefing, he addressed an HPD complaint that
made national attention. He advised that many who were quick
to judge the actions of one of our hard-working officers were
wrong in their allegations.
Hopefully, each of you are aware of our chaplain, Monty Montgomery.
Monty has his cell phone on 24/7 to assist those in need of a chaplain.
His contact number is 832 596 8083.
No surprise there! Chief McClelland stated that the officer
had done nothing wrong and actually went above and beyond,
contrary to media reports, social media sites and community
leaders.
Please do not hesitate to contact one of our resources in those times
when you feel depressed or just want to talk to a friendly voice. We
are a family and need to look after each other as such.
Thanks for standing with us,
Chief McClelland!
Contract Negotiations
The Board of Directors at the HPOU hopes each of you had a
wonderful summer and wants to remind you that we are here to
The HPOU Bargaining team continues to work toward a contract assist whenever you need your Union. Our General Membership
extension. The pay study we are awaiting appears to be taking longer Meeting is on the first Thursday of each month (except July)
than anticipated. We now hope to have it back by early December.
at 11 a.m. All members are welcome to attend and join us
for lunch.
Our team continues to compile information on comparable cities in
order to compare our results with those of the awaited pay study.
Remember, our comparable cities include Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth
and San Antonio. Each month I will continue to update you on the
information I am able to share.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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)
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Jorsch Honored as
Investigator of the Month
The Houston Police Officers Union honored
Officer Jorsch as Investigator of the Month in
its Aug. 7 general membership meeting.
Sgt. H. B. Duncan read the account of
Jorsch’s February investigation of multiple
storage facility units that were burglarized
at a U-Haul Storage in the 14900 block
of Westheimer.
Through the possible identification of the
first suspect, Jorsch was able to develop five
other suspects by checking different records,
including past offense reports, jail records
and rental records. He then began to uncover
multiple storage unit burglaries at different
locations in Houston, Fort Bend County and
West Harris County.
“He soon discovered that some of the
burglary suspects had been stopped in
Houston two times in 2013,” Duncan explained.
“During those stops officers tagged property
recovered which they believed to be stolen
but could not locate a complainant.
“We physically viewed the property that was
tagged and identified all of the owners.” The
investigation also revealed the locations of
the burglaries.”
Sgt. Duncan, left, presents honor to Officer Jorsch. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
A three-month investigation ensued.
“A total of five search warrants were drafted
and executed and approximately $47,000 in
property recovered.”
“Officer Jorsch linked the suspects in this
case to over 150 storage burglaries totaling
over $250,000 in lost property,” Duncan said.
A total of nine suspects were identified
and charged with 20 felonies that included
burglary, felony theft, unauthorized use
of a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a
firearm and possession of methamphetamines.
One felony warrant and two misdemeanor
warrants also were cleared. All nine suspects
are currently in the Harris County Jail.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/11 Exhibit
Holocaust Museum
to Commemorate Memory and Sacrifice
of Lives Lost and the Heroism
of NYC Police, First Responders
On Sept. 11, 2001, New York City was shaken to its core when two jet
airliners crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
In the wake of the chaos, New York-based Irish photographer Nicola
McClean responded in the only way she knew how: she picked up her
camera and took to the streets to try and capture the confusion and
panic that surrounded her.
At the same time, a young police captain in New York named Paul
McCormack rushed to downtown Manhattan, and worked in the
rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero.
During that time, McClean took thousands of photographs near
Ground Zero and the surrounding neighborhoods, working to
capture the chaos engulfing the city, as well as the work of
emergency workers, police officers, firefighters and others.
Over the following 10 years, McClean and McCormack worked
together to create “Ground Zero 360: Never Forget,” a stunning
panoramic installation of photographic images, visuals and audio
clips that provides a unique insight into the hearts and minds of New
Yorkers in the days that followed the attacks.
Their unique exhibit comes to Holocaust Museum Houston this
September, opening on the 13th anniversary of that fateful day.
HMH members are invited to a free preview reception from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, in the Museum’s Mincberg Gallery, Morgan
Family Center, 5401 Caroline in Houston’s Museum District.
To renew a membership or to join and attend, visit the museum website
at www.hmh.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 713-527-1640.
The exhibit remains on view through Jan. 11, 2015.
General admission is $12 for nonmembers and $8 for seniors and
active-duty members of the military. Admission is free for Museum
members and students with valid ID.
The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and
noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Visitors will be able to discover the startling aftermath of one of
the most tragic events in American history – seeing what McClean
saw, hearing the stories she heard and meeting the people she met,
particularly the heroic men and women of the New York City
Emergency Services.
Through harrowing visuals, heartbreaking “missing posters” and a
unique panoramic installation, “Ground Zero 360” invites viewers to
step into the past and feel what 8 million New Yorkers were feeling in
the days that followed the attacks.
Visitors will also be able to hear the city’s previously unreleased
emergency radio calls from that morning, and touch a fragment of
twisted steel I-beam and broken granite from the World Trade Center.
Also on view will be personal artifacts on loan from families of police
officers and a firefighter who lost their lives at the World Trade
Center, as well as crosses cut from the steel by ironworkers and a
flag that flew over Ground Zero.
The lives of three Jewish firefighters who were killed in 9/11 also will
be commemorated.
“Most fled the city in fear of their lives, but New York’s finest and
bravest were not among them. On 9/11, I was Commanding Officer of
the NYPD’s 41st Precinct,” McCormack said.
“Police officers see danger often, but nothing prepared us for the
chaos and death of that day. I worked with other first responders to
locate survivors at Ground Zero. There were few. We in the NPYD still
remember the thousands of innocent souls we couldn’t save. We will
never forget the sacrifice of the rescue workers who died.
“Yet, he added, “one of the most uplifting moments of my career
was seeing crowds lining the streets, cheering for police officers,
firefighters, ironworkers and health care workers reporting to work
at Ground Zero. I felt we were all united in love of our country.”
McClean recalled that on the morning of 9/11, “dust was falling so
thickly I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. As the sandy powder
fell, police and firefighters appeared, disappeared and reappeared. I
felt a deep sense of loss, and an intense feeling of good versus evil.
“A tangible sense of wrongdoing seemed to fill every molecule of air.
Though it was so quiet, every grain of dust also seemed to be wailing,
and slowly signaling the end of the world and the end of our vibrant
New York, as once we had known it,” she said.
“This exhibition is dedicated to all victims and their families, whose
lives changed completely and forever on Sept. 11, 2001. It is our
responsibility to never forget,” she added.
Because of injuries sustained in the line of duty, McCormack retired
from the New York Police Department. He and McClean eventually
married, and are now raising their family in Ireland.
Whether an adult or a child when it happened, 9/11 was a
defining moment. The City of New York continues to evolve and
change, but the memory of those extraordinary days and weeks will
always remain. Ground Zero 360 allows the onlooker to experience
the enduring events of 9/11 and celebrate the tremendous courage
and dignity of a nation under fire.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Opinion
HPD Needs to Change Method
for Relieving Officers of Duty!
By RAY HUNT
Think about how devastating it would be to report to Internal Affairs
and be told that you are being relieved of duty pending the outcome
of an investigation.
Now think how devastating that would be if you heard rumors by
someone else that you were going to be relieved of duty. Everyone
understands the need at times to relieve one of duty, but HPD needs
some serious work on the method.
If, in fact, our most valuable assets are our employees, then let’s
treat them as such. A majority of officers who are relieved of duty
are not fired and some are exonerated. We had an officer who was
relieved of duty because of a lie from a prostitute. He was eventually
cleared, but that does not mean that his career was not tarnished and
his life was not forever changed. His neighbors saw him on the news
and assumed he must be guilty if the chief of police has taken away
his police powers.
I know this because one of his neighbors is my relative. I went to the
Police Credit Union after the news report and an employee said, “Can
you believe that about XXXXX?” I told her it was a lie and she should
not believe everything she hears on the news.
The exhibit is generously underwritten by title sponsors Rhona and
Bruce Caress and Elaine and David Lavine (UBS – Galleria Financial
Group) and underwriter J.P. Morgan with special thanks to The
Valspar Corporation, KPRC-TV and CultureMap.
Internal Affairs relieves officers of duty when there are criminal
ALLEGATIONS and each time the ADC recommends a category “E” or
“E less than.” Sometimes the “E less than” is recommended because
the ADC believes the employee should have to meet with the chief,
but not necessarily be terminated.
The relieving of duty becomes routine for internal affairs. The
Houston Police Department needs to realize it is not routine for
the officer being relieved and may be extremely devastating. The
officer then goes home with a relieved-of-duty letter that says
nothing about how frequently minor punishment results or that
sometimes relieved-of-duty is simply out of an abundance of caution.
Nothing is said about how the chief has not even received the
completed investigation and may not even know the relieved-of-duty
has occurred. The officer explains that to his or her spouse, but what
do you think is going on in the spouse’s mind?
It’s time for the Houston Police Department to revise the method of
relieving officers of duty. It’s easy to claim our employees are our
most valuable assets, but it’s time we start showing it.
Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about
the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent
victims and honoring the survivors’ legacy. Using the lessons of the
Holocaust and other genocides, the Museum teaches the dangers of
hatred, prejudice and apathy.
See the
online
at hpou.org
and…
Support PAC, It Pays Big Returns
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
HPOU’s Oct. 18 Family Picnic to Feature
Kids’ Raffle this Year
By TOM KENNEDY
One of the most popular Union-sponsored events of the year will now
feature a specially organized kids-only raffle. The youngster with the
winning number of his or her wrist band will be taking home a new
PlayStation 4!
“This event always draws hundreds of kids,” picnic coordinator
Colton Peverill said, “and this year we thought it would be cool to
have a raffle just for them.”
The third annual HPOU picnic will take place on Oct. 18 at its
traditional location at Tin Hall, 14800 Tin Hall Rd in Cypress.
“There will be a couple different ways to obtain your ticket for the
picnic,” Peverill explained. “You can come by the Union office and pick
them up or email/call the Union with your information and we will
have tickets waiting for you at will call on the 18th.”
The bounce house and other fun-filled activities will be on hand
alongside the Game Truck, an 18-wheeler loaded with video games
geared toward, well, the video game generation.
Peverill predicted that the most excitement would be generated
by the kids’ raffle. All the boys and girls have to do is receive a
numbered wrist band to wear until the winning number – randomly
generated, of course – is drawn at a specified time in the afternoon.
Peverill fully expects this year’s event to overshadow last year’s,
which drew a record 1,800 attendees, including hundreds of kids.
He also reminded Union members and their spouses of the obvious:
“There will be plenty of food provided by the Union cook team as well
as drinks. Tin Hall is an alcohol-licensed establishment and alcohol
is the only thing you will have to purchase.”
Here are some other attractions planned for the picnic:
• Plenty of hamburgers, hotdogs, sides, trimmings and salad. The
food will be served from 3-6 p.m.
• Soft drinks and water will be provided.
• The family focus also will include face painting, balloon blowers,
bounce houses, games of challenge and many more fun activities.
• Shuttle buses will be available again this year that will bring you
and your family from the HPOU building downtown out to Tin Hall.
Hours of operation are 1 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.
Officer Tim Wyers, left, will lead the 5-0 Band during the nighttime session
of the HPOU Picnic on Oct. 18. With Wyers is Officer Mike Gee, leader of
Checkered Past, last year’s lead band at the picnic.
Besides Peverill, the following board members have taken part in
the planning of the event, always recognized as the Union’s greatest
family event of the year. Those board members are Tom Hayes, Joe
Gamaldi, Luis Menendez-Sierra, Robert Sandoval, Bill Booth, David
Riggs, Tim Butler and Douglas Griffith.
He said to feel free to call or email an HPOU board member for help.
“Of course,” Peverill said, “we will not be turning any member away
at the gates, but it is important to get a ticket so that we may have an
accurate head count.”
Peverill pointed out the need to have young people – perhaps
sons and daughters aged 14 and above – to perform such tasks
as assisting greeters at the gate, taking part in routine clean-up
operations as well as food services. Each will be paid an hourly wage
for their work. He said to call or email him for more information at
832 291 9004 or [email protected].
Peverill said there will be plenty of raffles to go around. The
“adult” version will feature a big-screen television, while the special
drawings for the youngest children present should include “whatever
is popular right now” for the age group involved. He opened the door
for plenty of surprises on the raffle display tables.
“As usual, there will be a wide assortment of games and activities for
the younger crowd,” Peverill explained, “and later on the 5-0 Band
will be playing for the adults who will be staying later.”
The FIVE-O Band is led by Officer Tim Wyers and also features
Officer Mike Gee, the leader of Checkered Past, which was featured
in the HPOU’s two previous picnics.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
An Open Letter
To the People of Ferguson, Mo.
and Police Officer Darren Wilson
Editor’s Note: The National Association of Police Organizations, of
which we are a member, after obtaining the support of the member
groups, ran this letter. The letter ran in the St Louis Post Dispatch on
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. Officer Wilson is not a NAPO member, but
this incident is such that the support of all law enforcement groups is
necessary before reactions like those in Ferguson become the norm.
As we all know the incident in Missouri could happen in any state or
city at any time. To sit by quietly while the President and the Governor
of Missouri call for vigorous criminal federal civil rights investigations before any investigation is complete would be wrong. We hope
you support us in supporting Officer Wilson through the efforts of
NAPO. The NAPO letter:
Ahead of anything else, we mourn the taking of human life. Our entire
professional careers, and our personal beliefs, are founded on the
conviction that life matters. “To serve and protect” isn’t only a motto,
it’s an aspiration and a reflection of the intrinsic value of every human
being, regardless of age, color, sex, status, religion, orientation
or appearance.
We recognize and grieve over the fact that a life is cut short in this
case, and nothing will ever change the awful reality of that human
tragedy for everyone involved.
At the same time, and just as importantly to us and, we hope, to all
people of good will, we have a deep and profound concern for Police
Officer Darren Wilson.
Officer Wilson, most of us will never have the chance to meet you or
your family in person, but if we could, we would want you to know
that hundreds of thousands of your brother and sister officers,
and millions of citizens across our nation, remember you. We care
about you, your coworkers and your family and loved ones. We don’t
pretend to know all the facts in this case; no one does. But we
do know that every person involved in this case is entitled to due
process, and that includes you.
On behalf of the more than 240,000 officers from every walk of life
whom we represent, and the millions of citizens we serve, we pray
for peace on our streets, we strive for justice, and we remember the
individual men and women called to serve and protect.
And we remember you, Officer Wilson.
Respectfully, the men and women of the National Association of
Police Organizations
Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs
Arizona Corrections Assoc.
Buckeye, Arizona Police Assoc.
Mesa Police Assoc. (Arizona)
Phoenix Law Enforcement Assoc. (Arizona)
DSA of Santa Clara County (California)
Fremont, California Police Assoc.
Los Angeles Police Protective League (California)
PORAC Central Coast Chapter (California)
Stamford Police Assoc. (Connecticut)
International Conference of Police Chaplains
Miami-Dade County PBA (Florida)
Florida Police Benevolent Assoc.
Palm Beach County PBA (Florida)
State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers
Policemen’s Benevolent & Protective Assoc. (Illinois)
Iowa State Police Assoc.
Police Assoc. of New Orleans (Louisiana)
Boston Police Patrolmen’s Assoc. (Massachusetts)
Int’l Brotherhood of Police Officers (Massachusetts)
Massachusetts Coalition of Police
New Bedford, Massachusetts Police Union
Detroit Police Lt’s & Sgt’s. Assoc. (Michigan)
Detroit Police Officers Assoc. (Michigan)
Police Officers Labor Council (Michigan)
St. Louis Police Leadership Org. (Missouri)
Montana Police Protective Assoc.
Las Vegas Metro Police Managers & Supervisors Assoc. (Nevada)
Las Vegas PPA (Nevada)
Concord, New Hampshire Police Patrolmen’s Assoc.
Keene Police Officers Assoc. (New Hampshire)
New Jersey State PBA
Newark Police Superior Officers (New Jersey)
Port Authority PBA (New York & New Jersey)
Brighton Police Patrolmen’s Assoc. (New York)
Cheektowaga Police Club (New York)
Detectives’ Endowment Assoc. (New York)
Floral Park PBA (New York)
Lloyd Harbor PBA (New York)
Monroe County PBA (New York)
Nassau County Detectives Assoc. (New York)
New York City PBA
New York State Troopers PBA
Police Conference of New York
Old Brooksville PBA (New York)
Port Authority Police DEA (New York)
Port Chester Police Association (New York)
Southampton Town PBA (New York)
Suffolk County PBA (New York)
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel PBA (New York)
Upstate New York PBA
Watertown PBA (New York)
West Seneca PBA (New York)
Yorktown, PBA (New York)
Ohio PBA
Milwaukie Police Employees Assoc. (Oregon)
Portland Police Assoc. (Oregon)
Combined Law Enforcement Assoc. of Texas
Dallas Police Assoc. (Texas)
Houston Police Officers’ Union (Texas)
Clark County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild (Washington)
Federal Flight Deck Officers Assoc. (Washington, D.C.)
Law Enforcement League of IBT, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Postal Police Officers Assoc.
Washington State Patrol Lieutenants Assoc.
Wisconsin Professional Police Assoc.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Alan Helfman,
the Car Dealer with TCLEOSE Certification,
Constantly goes the Proverbial Extra Mile for HPD Officers
and other Law Enforcement Causes, using his Sales ability
on the Auction Circuit to Raise Funds for Officers in Need
By TOM KENNEDY
The company chieftain in the well-tailored suit always seems to have
a phone in his ear.
He crisply moves from one call to another, juggling conversations about
his car business or his extra-curricular passion – auctioning sports
memorabilia to raise funds for injured or ailing Houston police officers.
There are an ample number of examples.
A fire in an officer’s house near Baytown gutted the place and left him
and three children at a total loss of their possessions and keepsakes.
Insurance covered some but not all of this tremendous loss.
Auctioneer Helfman spearheaded an HPOU-sponsored fundraiser,
complete with the Union’s Barbecue Team and suddenly Officer Kevin
Warren had the necessary funding to begin rebuilding the charred
home.
Retired Officer Vonda Higgins, left paralyzed when she was shot in
1998 while working undercover Narcotics, underwent several painful
surgeries and years of rehabilitation.
Higgins achieved her independence and was able to drive, only to
have somebody steal her special wheelchair-accessible van. It was
recovered with substantial damage and deemed unfit for her to operate.
Helfman led the charge to raise funds for a new vehicle. Many of the
items he auctioned at the Breckenridge Porter Building were pieces
of sports memorabilia that helped bring in more than $90,000. He
donated them!
One June a few years back, HPOU and the Assist The Officer
Foundation pitched in to raise about $27,000 to help retired
Senior Police Officer Karen Sampson and her family in Sampson’s
determined fight against breast cancer. Again, Helfman was
the auctioneer.
And then, in January 2013, Helfman, HPOU and ATO set a
fundraising record. When totaled, $104,390 was raised for the wife
of Officer Hans Wagner and the couple’s two children, ages 7 and 13.
Alan Helfman, pictured here in his showroom office at River Oaks Chrysler
Jeep, is a badge-toting TCLEOSE-certified officer.
When soliciting auction items or the bidders for same, he
repeats once, twice, three times the purpose and the beneficiary,
consistently underscoring all the reasons for a generous donation –
say an autographed J. J. Watt jersey – or an extraordinarily high bid
on it.
No potential beneficiary is off-limits to Alan Helfman, whose
fundraising talents almost always benefit officers in predicaments
encountered off-duty.
Steadfast Auctioneer
Ask him and he will tell you that the men and women in blue
routinely perform dangerous, life-threatening tasks safely and
soundly, only to meet problems beyond their control when they’re not
on Houston streets.
Wagner suffered severe head injuries when the family vehicle was
broadsided in the summer of 2012. Fortunately, his wife, son and
daughter were not seriously hurt. While recovering, Wagner died a
few weeks after the accident.
The fundraising effort drew unprecedented media attention.
Coincidentally, the record-setting Wagner fundraiser was Helfman’s
50th benefitting law enforcement officers or first-responder personnel.
Quite simply, this unconditional money-raising spirit throbs
throughout the bloodstream inside Alan Helfman. He admits that
he’s a salesman who uses his talent making pitches to help officers
in need.
Selling cars also is in his blood. Helfman owns River Oaks Chrysler
Jeep on Kirby Drive just off the Southwest Freeway, a location opened
in 1971. His family has been in the car business since his grandfather
opened a car lot on Navigation in 1955.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
His showroom office is easy to find, off
in the corner on the north side, his desk
positioned under a large photograph of Babe
Ruth and Ted Williams (Williams signed it).
That and his University of Texas Bachelor
of Business Administration diploma (1979)
decorate the walls alongside framed
declarations of appreciation from, among
others, HPOU President Ray Hunt.
orange flag at the end. You put it down and
the younger kids could cross the street. I kept
trying to make good grades to keep the badge.”
the officers didn’t immediately encounter the
robbers and throw them in jail, Helfman
experienced the impression that has proven
to be lasting.
“Officers could come help you in the middle
of the night when someone was breaking into
your house,” he said. “They do this all the
time even if it might be dangerous.”
Helfman earned his UT business degree and
quickly adopted the strong work ethic his
dad, Jack Helfman, lived his entire work life.
“Dad was very austere but fair,” Helfman
said. “He taught you a hard work ethic – work
morning ‘til night, six days a week. Work hard
and play hard. He didn’t have a lot of outside
interests. We (the car industry) went through
tumultuous times in 2007 but he had something. He wasn’t the kind of man to spend
money on expensive hobbies or pastimes.”
Then-Mayor Lee P. Brown issued this City of Houston
proclamation designating “Alan Helfman Day.
Here is one of the numerous plaques and framed
items commemorating Helfman’s contribution to
Houston’s fundraising community.
“He goes above and beyond on every
single fundraiser we do,” Hunt said. “There
has never been a time that I’ve called
Alan Helfman that he hasn’t delivered. He
forms the perfect picture of a person who
delivers invaluable service to each and every
police officer.”
This badge-and-orange-flag experience
happened at Bendwood Elementary School
in the Spring Branch Independent School
District. Later, while a senior at Memorial
High School, Helfman was visiting a neighbor
whose dad had just passed away. It was late
at night when Helfman and another friend
told their friends good bye.
Appreciation
for Officers
For the record, Helfman now has led more
than 60 fundraisers over the last 25 years.
Recent years have seen him step up the
number. He now averages at least one per
month but, when pressed by the Badge &
Gun, admits that many months see him do
one every week.
Helfman especially treasures a personal note of thanks
from HPOU President Ray Hunt. It’s framed and hangs
just inside the door of his showroom office.
One might wonder: Why does he do this?
Helfman laughed and said he first knew
he had an inclination toward becoming an
officer while in elementary school when he
was selected to be a student crossing guard.
“I loved sticking that badge on,” he remembered. “You put the stick down – it had an
Houston Community College System issued this
plaque recognizing Helfman for his effort to help the
school’s Public Safety Institute.
As they left, thieves accosted the grieving
family members, taking money from them.
Houston police arrived minutes later. Although
Jack Helfman also taught his son to give
generously to worthy causes “as long as
they were legitimate.” Personally, Jack
contributed the funding for the Helfman
Wing of Seven Acres Senior Jewish Care
in Southwest Houston. He also founded
the Helfman Religious School at Temple
Emanu El.
The Helfman family made a large contribution
toward the construction of Helfman Football
Field at Emery-Weiner School, where Alan
9/7/14 11:49 PM
and Renee Helfman’s three offspring attended school. And those three
are Blake, Eric and Caitlin.
“Eric caught the first pass,” Alan Helfman said, referring to the
dedication of the field.
Early on, Helfman wanted to become active in charity work with
an emphasis on the law enforcement community. “I had to ask a
billionaire to help me early in life on fundraisers for different
charities,” he recalled. “I told him I’d put a statue of him on every
corner. He turned me down.”
A Unique Philanthropist
needed someone who knew both the politics involved and the ability to
create the proper business plan and a funding mechanism.
Total Support
“Alan devised a business plan and got support from the community
and the (HCCS) board,” Sessums recounted. “He rolled the fire training
part of it into the plan and designed the complex that involved SWAT
training situations and paint ball tactics.”
In addition, Helfman helped set up the financing and got the right
people in the right places to help Barringer and Sessums.
The business plan he developed enabled HCCS to “make enough
money to pay for it,” Sessums said.
So he figured out a way to get the job done by himself. The answer:
autographed balls and bats that bring a lot of money in benefit
auctions. He found that he could easily acquire these sports
memorabilia items with the right sources and auction them to
Houston’s proliferation of sports fans who regularly demanded
autograph material from the Astros, Texans and Rockets.
The complex is part of HCC’s Northeast College and also entails
a gun range, classrooms, a driving track and a six-story tower for
firefighter training – all of it with environmentally sound furnishings
such as the use of propane instead of hay bales for the fire drills and
the recycling of rain water for other fire training.
It can easily be said that Helfman acquires more pieces of sports
memorabilia than he has new and used cars at River Oaks on any
given day.
The gun range is environmentally sound with its special lead
abatement aspect. “We recycle the brass on the gun range,” Sessums
said. “It’s a pretty cool setup.”
“I sell him memorabilia. He then auctions it off and donates to
officers, depending on their particular problem,” wholesale dealer
Kent Sessions said. “He tries to be hands-on with every single
one of the people who need help and are associated with the
police department.
Sessums is now director of the whole outfit, which is known as the
Public Safety Institute of HCC-Northeast.
“He has a strong work ethic. One of the things he takes away from
work is the help he gives police officers. To him it’s like his duty.
He’s part of the city and he knows the importance of police in a city
like this.
“People are struck down that don’t have the help that some other
people have. He wants to help – it’s a part of the philanthropic
attitude that he has.”
Sessions often comes with Helfman to auctions at the HPOU,
helping him along with identifying autographs on certain items as
“Alan keeps popping up and getting the crowd involved.”
Sessions, an internationally recognized dealer in rare items such
as signed Babe Ruth baseballs, said, “The unique thing about him
is that all the items he gives to any charitable event are donated by
him. He deals with the people directly affected with whatever event or
negative circumstance.”
“He wants to feel the needs of that individual person. That’s unique
to a philanthropist.”
Helfman’s aforementioned showroom office seldom sees a day that
he’s not making a car deal with an officer, lieutenant, sergeant or
chief. They can also be sheriff’s deputies or deputy constables.
Retired HPD Officer Johnny Sessums was driving a Jeep he bought
from Helfman as he was en route to a West Texas deer camp.
Sessums detailed his work with Helfman, saying that he and Dr. Al
Barringer took the steps to set up a police academy at the Houston
Community College System in 1988, firmly establishing the school’s
criminal justice program.
A few years passed with Barringer (father of HPD Officer Jay Barringer)
and Sessums wanted to take the program “to the next level.” They
“Alan has always been a law enforcement supporter from the
get-go,” the director said. “I don’t know why but from our standpoint
I’m glad he is.”
“He provides total support. We met with him several times when
we were talking about how fast he was putting his business plans
together. He’s got a great business plan with the right buzz words and
phrases to catch attention.
“He really helped us with the focus and direction to literally take our
dream to the next level.”
Helfman said that the original plan was sketched out on a napkin
at Houston’s restaurant where he, Sessums and Barringer had one
especially productive meeting.
The business vision has brought to reality not just the police and fire
academies in the Sessums bailiwick but also the Emergency Medical
Academy.
“Alan’s all about first responders. He has a passion for that. Any
time we would bring it up it was an all-inclusive discussion. He’s all
about training. He’s TCLEOSE-certified and we’ve helped him keep up
his certificate.
“His political influence was probably one of the key reasons that we
ended up having Public Safety. He played a very important part of
that – not just for us but law enforcement in general.”
Apparently No Limits
Helfman has been TCLEOSE-certified since the mid-1980s when
he went through the law enforcement school at the University of
Houston – Downtown, while sponsored by Harris County Constable
Precinct 4.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
“I’ve stayed a commissioned officer ever since,” he said with pride.
“I hold a TCLEOSE commission presently at Harris County Precinct 7
as a reserve captain.”
“I have a uniform for Precinct 7. But I’ve been commissioned by
Precinct 5, Precinct 3 twice and Precinct 7 twice. I’ve been around a
little bit.”
His fundraising mindset permeates every day of business at River
Oaks. He has a massive scrap book of the newspaper accounts of
the fundraising activities, which over the years has included more
than 50 for Texas Southern University. At one point, Helfman learned
that the school’s golf team had no way of getting to out-of-town
tournaments, so he donated a $30,000 Chrysler Town & Country.
When pressed a little, he can recall a steady list of contributions
to churches, the University of Houston and both public and private
organizations in need of funds.
“We do a myriad of fundraisers almost every day,” Helfman said.
“Every day somebody asks me for six auction items.”
This brings us to the unlisted office upstairs.
A few years ago one could navigate directly to a large, executive
desk where endless deals have been struck for Jeeps, Chrysler 300s
and the other vehicles in the Helfman realm. Today, you can hardly
find a place to sit down or get around, for there are stacks of boxes
containing baseball bats, football jerseys (all signed with certificates
of authenticity), footballs, baseballs, basketballs and maybe even a
autographed soccer ball. Framed 16x20 autographed pictures also
are propped up everywhere.
Helfman tailors the list of auction items to his audience. Right now
– football season – he would probably pick through the autographed
football items, box them up and load them in a vehicle bound for the
auction venue.
He always walks the walk with his
has written op/ed pieces for the
progressive changes in policing
two horses for the HPD Mounted
experience about his sponsorship
Department’s K-9 unit.
talk of support for officers. He
Houston Chronicle advocating
philosophies. He has funded
Patrol and shares a personal
for a canine member of the
“I pulled up to a Mounted Patrol one day,” he remembered, “and there
was one of the K-9 officers standing there. The officer said he didn’t
have a dog. How can that be? I asked.
“I got together with Lt. (Steve) Marino and got that guy a dog.” (Marino,
retired HPD, is now a major under Sheriff Adrian Garcia – and also is
the husband of HPOU’s Lisa Marino).
He thrives on providing support for his pet causes and promptly calls
“time out” from a car deal on the table to traipse upstairs to the
supply office. He plucked out a Pete Rose bat and some baseballs
for a Catholic church and up to a dozen other auction items for
fundraisers planned by smaller police departments from south side
suburbs to benefit officers.
He can’t remember the details of the very first fundraising auction
he championed but thinks it might have been at Cody’s in the Village,
raising more than $20,000 for a Houston officer.
“We did a fundraiser in a vacant lot across from a U. S. Post Office,”
he said. “A guy had barbecue pits on a makeshift stage.
“One time we had one at a bar. I got all the people at the bar to buy
Bagwell and Biggio balls. We raised $10,000.”
As you might well imagine, Helfman has written car deals for
hundreds of officers. One was a sheriff’s deputy severely injured in
a recent off-duty accident, leaving him unable to drive. Insurance
coverage was not as complete as it needed to be.
So Helfman helped him pay off the roughly $2,500 he owed on
his vehicle.
“He’s a promoter extraordinaire,” 100 Club executive director Rick
Hartley said. “He’s done a lot of wonderful things to help law
enforcement off and on during the years. He’s a life member of the
100 Club.”
Other evidence of Helfman’s activism can be found on both walls
of the hallway leading to the upstairs office. He has plaques from
mayors of Houston recognizing his support, alongside those from
civic and political organizations thanking him for his dedication to
their causes.
Support PAC,
It Pays Big Returns
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Chaplain Lott Publishes
Devotional Volume Dedicated to
‘Challenges an Officer Faces’
By TOM KENNEDY
As a lay minister, Donald E. Lott spent 1,200 hours this past year
riding along with Houston police officers, learning the details of their
duty stations as well as their spiritual beliefs.
“Many of them went to church in their younger lives,” Lott told the
Badge & Gun. “Now they can’t because of their hours.
“Seventy-five or 80 percent of officers are unable to go to church if
they wanted to. I wanted to provide something to give them a feeling
in a way that addresses the challenges an officer faces.”
Lott sought an answer and found it. He has written Volume 1 of a
three-volume set of what he calls “Peacekeepers 90-Second Daily
Devotionals.” He wants to distribute it to any HPD officer who would
like to have it for his/her pocket or patrol car.
“For almost three years I’ve put together short daily devotionals,” he
explained. “They are short and to the point because the officers don’t
have a lot of time to read outside material.”
Each page of the book has a topic at the top of it, a related Scripture
in the middle and a short prayer at the bottom of the small page.
On the page entitled “Peacemakers,” for example, Matthew 5:9 reads:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of Gods.”
The prayer at the bottom says:
“Heavenly Father, I pray you would mold me as worthy of the
little Peacemaker. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Amen.”
Volume 1 has enough of these short devotionals to get officers
through about four months. Once the other volumes are completed,
there should be enough to get them through an entire year.
Lott is a lay minister ordained by the Church of Christ. But his lay
ministry has brought him into contact many religious affiliations.
He is a Denver native who grew up in Nebraska, the son of
parents who worked for Good News Broadcasting Corp., a
non-denominational religious radio ministry that is broadcast
internationally. He attended religious-affiliated colleges in Omaha
and Longmont, Colorado, majoring in music and radio engineering.
Lott served three years with the Nebraska Game and Tourism
Departments before beginning his service in the U. S. Navy as “a
one-man post office” aboard the USS Hoel DDG-13, while assisting
the fleet chaplain. After his Navy stint he invested in a mortuary
service for two years before joining AT&T for a 30-year career.
“Throughout my Navy years I would attend churches of many
different Protestant denominations as well as Catholic and
Episcopalian,” Lott recalled. “While attending these I became
actively involved in leading seminars and outreach ministries. This
continued after discharge and increased more and more working
with the telephone industry.”
He retired from AT&T in 1998 while working in Houston, where he
had been since 1980, and became a member of Gideons International
in Texas.
“Then I was recruited in Ring of Champions to mentor juveniles in
a jail setting,” he said, describing his job at the Harris County Youth
Village in Seabrook, a juvenile’s “last chance before the big house.”
“I was promoted to state director of the Southeast Texas area. Within
a couple of years I was invited to work here in Houston with what is
now known as Police and Clergy Alliance, working to encourage and
support police in their varied jobs.
“Through the encouragement of many officers and a sense of
God leading me, I began to author a pocket-sized devotional
booklet. Ultimately this became a book with single-page studies,
quoting a scripture verse and then reading a written prayer, which
has a taste and feel of the lifestyle of law enforcers.
“Over a year’s time there will be three volumes, with each one
covering four months. My prayer is that this will encourage our officers to do and be better officers.”
Lott hopes to successfully urge area ministers to provide him with
five or 10 daily devotionals for the volumes.
So far none has come forward. However, retired HPD Lt. Darrell Lott
(no relation) has written 15 pages’ worth for Volume 2.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Col. Manion Honored here
at his Book-signing
The Houston Police Department was very honored to have Col.
Thomas Manion (USMCR Ret.) here in Houston for his book
signing of Brothers Forever, which tells the story about the
enduring bond between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that transcended
their ultimate sacrifice.
The story of Travis Manion and Brendan Looney is captured in this
moving story of duty, honor and country “And we are proud to have
Col. Manion in the great State of Texas promoting what his son
and Brendan stood for,” Capt. Greg Fremin, chairman of the HPOU
Veterans Affairs Committee, said.
“As you know, Houston has embraced the 9/11 Heroes Run and it has
become our signature event for 9/11 ceremonies for this city,” Fremin
said. “and nationally Houston has had the largest venue for the last
three years.
“Most everyone knows that the tragic combat death of USMC 1st
Lt. Travis Manion was the catalyst for this national movement, and
this book tells his story along with his Naval Academy roommate,
Brendan Looney.”
The elder Manion’s book-signing took place at the Texas Steamboat
Steak House. Fremin recognized Charlie Fogarty, owner of Steamboat
Steak House, for his sponsorship of the event. He also singled out
others who also contributed to the event’s success – Mrs. Carolyn
Cross, general manager of Joe Myers Ford, and Mrs. Judy Lakin and
Mrs. Laura Filippone of COX Media Group.
Pictured, left to right, are retired HPD Officer Jim Conley (Operation Lone
Star President), Captain Bryan Bennett, Assistant Chief Mark Curran, Colonel
Thomas Manion (USMC, Ret), Captain Greg Fremin, U.S. Navy Seal Dave
Brennan, FBI Special Agent Michael Walker (US Army Special Forces) and FBI
Supervisory Special Agent Mike Seifer (USMC Captain). GARY HICKS PHOTO.
Depicted here is Col. Tom Manion’s book, Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond
between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice.
Four weeks after Navy SEALs had killed Osama bin Laden, the President of
the United States stood in Arlington National Cemetery. In his Memorial Day
address, he extolled the courage and sacrifice of the two young men buried
side by side in the graves before him: Travis Manion, a fallen US Marine, and
Brendan Looney, a fallen US Navy SEAL. Although they were killed three years
apart, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, these two best friends and former U. S.
Naval Academy roommates were now buried together—“brothers forever.” Col.
Manion wrote the tribute with award-winning journalist Tom Sileo.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
This shot contains Capt. Fremin
presenting Colonel Manion with a
photograph containing the photos
of every Texas service member
killed in action since 911. Directly
next to Fremin is Pat Thompson.
GARY HICKS PHOTO.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
HPOU leadership recently responded to a Houston-style “cold
water challenge” from Yellow Cab. President Ray Hunt and vice
presidents Doug Griffith, left, and Joe Gamaldi each got about
20 pounds of ice water. In turn, Hunt challenged Police Chief
Chuck McClelland, while Griffith called out the Dallas Police
Association and Gamaldi the Fort Worth Police Association.
Oh, and while they were at it they and the Union donated $500 to
Assist The Officer Foundation. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
HPOU board members also responded to the cold water challenge as “cool” participants in the Assist
The Officer fundraiser in the August heat. GARY HICKS PHOTO.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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DEADLINE SCHEDULE CHANGE
Special Notice to HPOU Members!
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
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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Graphic Design & Illustration
Keith Margavio
6630 Roos Road • Houston, Texas 77074
713-503-9102 • [email protected]
9/7/14 11:49 PM
SERVING THE ALARM NEEDS
OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS
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Support PAC,
It Pays Big Returns
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Conley: Lone Star Coin Urges Wounded
Warriors to ‘Never Surrender or
Retreat’ in Recovery Process
Editor’s Note: Conley, a retired HPD officer, is president and founder
of Operation Lone Star – Texans Supporting Our Troops. Here is his
personal account of providing a meal to wounded warriors at Fort
Sam Houston in San Antonio.
By JIM CONLEY
The Warrior and Family Support Center – located on Joint Base San
Antonio-Fort Sam Houston – is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated
to offering a safe environment for military families to reconnect
following military operations and to restarting their lives with full
support of the military community and volunteers, many of whom are
veterans themselves.
Our guests were very gracious; they were thanking us before the
meal was even served. It never ceases to amaze us how strong,
resilient and selfless these young men and women are. They take the
time to thank us when, in fact, we owe them a debt of gratitude that
can never be fully paid.
The center was designed with a “living room” environment to
provide all the comforts of home while the wounded warriors and
their families are so far away from home.
The Environment
This dedicated building includes:
• A large social gathering area
• Kitchen facilities and a dining room
• A learning facility for computerized training
• A private counseling room
• A business center with Internet access
• A game room and large open front and back porch areas.
It was designed with wounded warriors’ requirements in mind – fully
wheelchair-accessible, with an atmosphere that encourages healing.
Wounded warriors and their families are able to comfort and support
each other by drawing upon their shared experiences for strength
and understanding.
Jim Conley says it was difficult choking back tears in close-up interaction with
wounded warriors at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
As these heroes began lunch, we went from table to table,
introducing ourselves and giving each individual a special challenge
coin, one that will not be sold at ANY price and is presented ONLY to
wounded warriors or their surviving spouses, parents, etc.
One side of the coin has the Operation Lone Star logo. The other has
a large white star in the center symbolizing the Lone Star State. The
purpose of the star is to remind these brave servicemen and women
that Texas takes care of its heroes. Behind the star is the Alamo. We
explain that as Texans we will always remember the Alamo, and we
will always remember the sacrifices today’s heroes have made for us.
There is a quote from Col. William Barrett Travis, taken from his Feb.
24, 1836 letter in which he writes that the small Alamo garrison is
besieged by the Mexican Army but their flag still waves proudly from
the walls.
“I shall never surrender or retreat” is inscribed in a red circle around
the edge of the coin. The purpose of the quote is to provide motivation
through the recovery and rehabilitation process.
Conley says warriors like these, thankfully, are destined for full recovery.
On July 25, Operation Lone Star – Texans Supporting Our Troops
provided a luncheon at the center, catered by Pappasito’s Cantina,
for the wounded warriors and their families. We served an estimated
200 soldiers and dependents a meal of chicken and beef fajitas with
all the appropriate side dishes.
It was a huge success and the entire event was more gratifying than
we ever could have expected.
We encourage them to look at the coin when they’re having a tough
rehab session, or recovery seems so far away, or when they’re
generally having a bad day; to remember that Texas cares for them
and will never forget them; to read the quote and never surrender or
retreat, never quit, never give up.
We’re never fully prepared for the hugs, the kisses and the tears
(many times our own) when we give these patriots such a simple
token. We also handed out Operation Lone Star t-shirts as we visited
Continues on Page 3B
Page 1B Badge & Gun • September 2014
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Lest We Forget
March 7, 2002
Final Patrol at End of Shift Results
in Fatal Motorcycle Crash for Dees
By NELSON ZOCH
Keith Alan Dees was born in Saudi Arabia
in a United States Air Force Hospital on
October 19, 1956. His parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Ruby Harlon Dees, were in that country while
his father was serving in the military. Dee
received his early education at Anderson
Elementary School in Houston, Fondren and
Johnston junior high schools, and graduated
from Westbury High School in 1975.
was summoned. An HFD ambulance took
Dees to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where
he was pronounced dead at 10:30 p.m. He
was forty-five years old, a nineteen-year
HPD veteran.
Keith Dees attended the University
of Houston for a time and began his
employment with the City of Houston in
1978 as a fireman with the Houston Fire
Department in Class 78-A. After four years of
fighting fires, he applied for the Houston Police
Department. He began his HPD career with
Police Cadet Class No. 107 on August 9, 1982,
graduating on December 10 of that year. His first
assignment was to the South Radio Patrol
Bureau out of the Southwest Patrol Station,
night shift. He proudly wore Badge No. 3807.
Officer Dees, in the mid-1980s, began
working on the Westside Traffic Enforcement
Unit and in 1987 was selected to work in the
Solo Motorcycle Unit of the Accident Division.
He worked in that capacity until his death.
On the night of Thursday, March 7, 2002,
Officer Keith Dees had nearly completed
his tour of duty with the evening shift of the
Solo Motorcycle Division. Just shortly before
9 p.m., he received an assignment from his
supervisor, Sergeant D.J. Culak, to initiate
a final inspection of their assigned freeways
prior to heading home for the night.
While on his last freeway patrol of the
evening, he entered the North Freeway at
the Walker Street entrance. As he entered
the northbound lanes, he was changing
lanes to his left in an attempt to pass a
slower-moving vehicle. When he did so, he
was confronted with a disabled Cadillac in
that lane. This automobile had lost a wheel.
In an obvious attempt to avoid a collision with
the disabled vehicle, Dees veered to his right
and went down with the motorcycle.
The officer skidded along the freeway
pavement, sustaining massive body trauma
that caused a number of internal injuries.
A passing motorist who was a physician
stopped to render aid while an ambulance
Officer Keith Alan Dees
Officer Keith Dees was survived by his wife
Deborah Dees, his son Derek Dees, age
twelve, his daughter Grace Dees, twenty-one
months old, and by a stepson, Trenton, age
eight. Also mourning his sudden death were
his mother, Mrs. Bettye Virginia Dees, sisters
Marianne Cole and Leslie Hakkola, and his
brother, Kevin Dees. His siblings’ spouses
and their children also mourned his death,
as did his inlaws, Woody Enloe and Virginia
Enloe, and many aunts, uncles, cousins,
nieces and nephews.
Officer J.E. Tippy of the Accident Division
was assigned to conduct this on-duty
officer fatality investigation. Tippy, the
primary investigator on the case, was
supervised at the scene and in his
follow-up report by Lieutenants A.F.
Bukowski and S.L. Broze. He was
assisted by Sergeant E.B. Robinson and
Officers R. Ontiveros, R. Palomo, I. M. Labdi,
R.A. Narvaez, M.W. Potell and R. Saenz. They
conducted a thorough investigation and after
Officer Tippy followed through and compiled
all of the details, the case was presented to
an Assistant District Attorney for review for
possible charges. The investigation revealed
no negligence or criminal intent on the part
of the operator of the stalled Cadillac. After
consultation with Officer Dees’ family, the
department decided not to pursue the matter
any further.
In 2007, son Derek Dees is seventeen years
old and lives in Houston with his mother,
Sherri. He will graduate from high school
in 2007. Grace Dees, now nearly seven
years old, lives in Houston with her mother,
Deborah Dees, as does Trenton. Mrs. Bettye
Virginia Dees also resides in Houston; she
is eighty-three. Kevin Dees lives in Houston,
the father of two daughters, Karen Dees and
Cynthia Dees. Sister Marianne Cole lives in
Houston, the mother of Lisa and Michelle.
Sister Leslie Hakkola lives in Minnesota, the
mother of three daughters, Susan, Catherine
and Jennifer. As a result of this tragic
accident, a daughter, two sons, and seven
nieces are growing up without their father
or uncle.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ruby
Harlon Dees, as well as his grandfather,
Ruben C. Dees.
George H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive,
was in charge of arrangements. Visitation
was held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 11,
2002. Funeral services were held the next
day at 11 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church,
6400 Woodway, with the Reverend Steve
Seelig officiating. Burial followed at Forest
Park Westheimer Cemetery.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Continues from Page 1B
during the 90-minute lunch period. It touches our hearts in ways I
can’t describe when soldiers who are suffering from severe burns,
missing limbs or in many cases both, shake our hands and say
thank you.
Unforgettable Experience
One of our most memorable moments of this most memorable day
began when we approached two young soldiers who were enjoying
their meals with their wives or girlfriends. Both were in wheelchairs
as they both had sustained serious leg injuries; one also had a
serious arm injury. As we visited we learned they were both from
Virginia and had been injured together in a helicopter crash on
May 28.
Fortunately they will fully recover. We gave them each a challenge
coin, explained the significance of the symbols on the coin, thanked
them for their service and wished them the best of luck.
About an hour later we saw a warrior walking into the center with the
aid of crutches, accompanied by his wife. We sat with him, gave him
a coin and visited for a few minutes. We learned that he was in the
same helicopter crash as the two wheelchair-bound soldiers we’d
talked to earlier.
Our vice president, Judy Pierce, asked him if there was anything we
could provide that might aid in his and other warriors’ comfort or
recovery. He said no, but asked if we could give challenge coins to
the remaining two soldiers who were injured in the same accident.
Obviously the answer was yes.
He gave Judy the names and room numbers of both soldiers. That’s
when we learned that they weren’t at any of the Fort Sam Houston
medical facilities. They were both located at the Audie Murphy
V.A. Hospital located on the other side of San Antonio. Judy, Sandy
Alexander (our Secretary/Treasurer and the one most responsible
for making this event happen) and I discussed it and without a second
thought agreed we had to visit these young men.
between them. Judy mentioned later that my voice had cracked at I
was nearing the end of my presentation of the challenge coin.
The first lieutenant, obviously stronger than I am, gave me a firm
handshake and a big smile when we gave him the coin and t-shirt.
This is the first time we’ve met and given challenge coins to multiple
personnel injured in the same incident. It was both heartbreaking
and extremely gratifying. These five men and the wounded warriors
and their families we had the pleasure of meeting earlier at the
Warrior and Family Support Center are the reasons Operation Lone
Star-Texans Supporting Our Troops exists.
My purpose in writing this article is twofold. I want to remind
everyone that we are still very much engaged in a war in Afghanistan
and that these soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and Coast
Guardsmen and their families are making sacrifices on a daily basis.
I also want to thank all of my friends in the Houston Police
Department, the Houston Police Officers Union Board of Directors
and members, and the Houston Police Retired Officers Association
Board of Directors and members for making this event possible.
In our six years of existence this is the most fulfilling event we’ve
sponsored or participated in.
Through the HPOU Stars and Stripes Charity Golf Tournament
and countless individual donations, we were able to provide the
resources necessary to put on an event of this size. It couldn’t have
happened without your support.
From the bottom of our hearts, Judy, Sandy and I and the armed
forces personnel we serve, thank you.
God bless our troops and God bless America!
Approximately 45 minutes later, accompanied by several members
of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, we arrived
at the V.A. Hospital in northwest San Antonio. We quickly located the
rooms and with the assistance of the most cordial and professional
medical staff I’ve ever encountered had the pleasure of meeting
these soldiers.
One had severe injuries to his left leg but is on the road to
recovery. He lifted our hearts because he was so happy to see
that total strangers were concerned about him and was especially
pleased that his buddies on the other side of town had thought of him.
He thanked us for the coin and the t-shirt, and after thanking him for
his service we moved down the hallway to the other soldier, a young
first lieutenant.
This great young American was by far the most seriously injured of
the five. In addition to a severe head injury, his teeth and jaw were
shattered, which severed his carotid artery and resulted in a stroke.
Even though these injuries occurred just two short months ago, he
was walking with assistance from a nurse and able to talk.
Great Support!
This was a difficult presentation for me to do. As I talk to these
heroic men and women I can’t help but think about my own son and
daughter, who have three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
9/7/14 11:49 PM
When Suicide Happens –
a Guide for Troubled Officers
By BARBARA A. SCHWARTZ
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for
each other?”
— George Eliot
criminal act. (Source: Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support)
The recent high-profile suicide of Robin Williams stimulated a
national dialog on suicide. Experts speculated on why he took his own
life and how the loss of a talented comedic entertainer could have
been prevented.
Suicidal persons want an intervention, want someone to take over the
crisis, want someone to care for them.
At the end of August, HPD lost an officer to suicide, stirring up similar
questions within the department.
“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the
shadow of our burden behind us.”
— Samuel Smiles
Suicidal persons don’t want to die, they want to end the pain and/or
the shame and/or the self-hate.
Hopelessness is not hopeless. Hopelessness is treatable.
Suicide makes no sense to persons not in the throes of crisis. Hard to
understand something that makes no sense to you.
Are suicides preventable? Do people give warnings prior to suicide?
In her book “I Love a Cop,” Dr. Ellen Kirschman states that suicide is
not about mental illness, it’s about hopelessness.
Most suicides are impulsive, spur-of-the-moment acts often fueled
by alcohol, drugs or anger.
Humans are the only species in the animal kingdom who take their
own lives. Hard to comprehend because our brains are wired for
survival. Hopelessness short circuits that wiring.
More cops die by their own hand than from felonious assaults or
vehicular accidents. An unsettling statistic seldom discussed in
training, in command staff meetings, or at roll calls.
Prevention comes from understanding hopelessness; noticing when
someone is facing an unmanageable crisis; acknowledging, rather
than dismissing, another’s pain; listening compassionately and
actively; never discounting or denying a suicidal threat; having the
courage to confront someone about suicidal intentions and the
compassion to not leave them alone; gently guiding someone toward
professional help; and recognizing suicidal indicators.
The only truth about suicide is that nobody knows the truth about
suicide. The ones with experience aren’t available to enlighten us.
Dozens of warning signs have been cataloged, many rooted in
folklore and not substantiated.
Instead, suicide misconceptions abound. Discussing suicide makes
people uncomfortable. People have phobias regarding mental illness
and suicide. We fear what we don’t understand. Fears, phobias and
misconceptions keep officers from seeking help.
The most common indicators of police suicide mimic the symptoms
of post traumatic stress—withdrawal and isolation.
You don’t want to admit that you might have the same problems as the
CIT cases you deal with. You are supposed to solve everyone else’s
problems, you damn well better be able to solve your own, right?
You are afraid that asking for help is a sign of weakness; that other
officers will think you are incapable of doing your job and incapable
of backing them up.
A person doesn’t have to be crazy or depressed to consider
suicide. Suicide ideation, thoughts of suicide without actuation, can be
experienced without an underlying diagnosable mental illness.
Most cops have thought about suicide. Half of them have considered
how they would carry out their plan. Police suicides notoriously occur
after an officer has made a suicide scene, heard about a suicide, or
witnessed a suicide firsthand.
“Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
— T. H. Thompson
Incidents that lead to police hopelessness include: relationship
failures; death of child or spouse; losing custody of children
in a divorce; diagnosis of a terminal illness; a post-traumatic
stress injury; vicarious trauma or witnessing another’s trauma,
responsibility for another person’s death; feeling alone or socially
isolated; or being accused, investigated, indicted, or convicted of a
When a person withdraws and isolates, other warning signs are hard
to detect.
Suicidal officers take more risks on the job, such as not
requesting backup when justified and canceling backup that has
been dispatched. They no longer care about job performance,
don’t turn in reports, and miss court. They may drink on duty; be
insubordinate and not care about the consequences; fail to keep up
their appearance, fail to launder their uniforms or maintain their
equipment. They may show an unexplainable mood improvement
after a period of being depressed or withdrawn, or exhibit increased
agitation and anger.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.”
— Helen Keller
Isolation breeds hopelessness. Social support builds a barrier
to hopelessness.
There are officers in need of an assist and no one is responding.
If an officer had a heart attack, you’d be there for them. Do the same
for an officer suffering emotional pain or post traumatic stress. In a
way, they are having a heart attack.
Officers are relunctant to ask for help because they are the ones who
answer the call for help.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
That culture needs to change. We need to make it acceptable to ask
for emotional assistance. Folklore and misconceptions concerning
suicide need to be abolished.
The responsibility for change lies with every officer.
Resources
Local:
Houston Officers Peer Assistance (HOPA) 832-200-3499,
HPD Psych Services 832-394-1440,
HPD Chaplain 832-596-8083
Hotline:
(Staffed by first responders): Safe Call Now 1-206-459-3020
Websites:
www.copsalive.com,
www.badgeoflife.com,
www.woundedbadge.com,
www.safecallnow.org,
www.wcpr2001.org.
Video: http://code9project.org/the-film
Books:
“I Love a Cop” by Dr. Ellen Kirschman,
“Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement” by Dr. Kevin Gilmartin,
“Spiritual Survival for Law Enforcement” by Rabbi Cary A. Friedman,
the quotes featured in this article were borrowed from “Surviving
the Shadows—A Journey of Hope into Post Traumatic Stress” by
Robert Delaney.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Dear HPOU,
I wanted to thank you all for the outpouring of love, support and
generosity that has been shown to my family and me in our time
of need. I would like to thank the Houston Police Officers Union
for your outstanding support. For showing up at my hospital room
and giving my wife and family reassurance in a very confusing and
scary moment, and letting them know that everything was going to
be alright.
Also, for assuring them that you all would be there for us
throughout this long road of recovery. Thank you to all of the
officers that packed the hallways of the hospital, brought us food and
comforted us the entire time I was in the hospital. Thank you to all of
the officers department wide, that donated their hard earned time. I
know that time off is precious to us all and I am forever grateful for
your generosity.
I also want to say a special thank you to both Sergeant Robert Parker
and Sergeant Martin Quintanilla for caring so much. Thank you for
generating the idea of a benefit and taking all of the steps necessary
to make it happen. I know this was a huge undertaking and you will
never know how much it means to me that you were willing to take
it on for us. I know it took a small army to make this event such an
amazing success, and I appreciate all of the people that volunteered
their time and worked so hard in the background.
Once again thank you to the Union for using your contacts and
resources to add to the successful outcome. Thank you Krystal
LaReau for all of your hard work, I know you were a crucial part and
you represented the Union well. Thank you Jeff Bodie and friends for
cooking the amazing BBQ. To Captain Helfman and his team, thank
you for handling the auction and for the many donated items. To
anyone that had any part in this event, and those that purchased
plates and raffle tickets, or gave donations, I thank you from the
bottom of my heart.
There are no words to describe how grateful I am for all that has
been done for me and my family. I have seen great things happen
from an incident that could have been so tragic. I thank God that I
am able to write this letter, it could have been so much worse. I am
so blessed to be here and to have so many caring people in my life.
Dear Houston Police Officers Union,
Thank you for being so kind to my family during this difficult time. We
truly appreciate the floral arrangement and the card. Your thoughts
and concern for us will always be remembered.
Sincerely,
Shy J. Reece Family
The Family of Pansy M. Washington
HPOU,
Thank you for your kindness at our time of sorrow.
The Ott Family
Houston Police Officers Union,
Thank you for the beautiful flowers to Bernard Josweak’s funeral.
Our father would have loved the beautiful arrangement and it meant
a lot to our family to see your support.
Thank you.
James Josweak & Family
HPOU,
Thank you so much for the beautiful plant. It was my mother’s favorite.
Sgt. Darryl Hyder-Baker and Family
HPOU,
The family of Mike Rodriguez acknowledges with deep appreciation
your kind expression of sympathy.
Thank you.
Juanita Rodriguez
HPOU,
Thank you so very much for the beautiful floral arrangement you sent
for my husband Carmine. Your thoughtfulness for our family is truly
appreciated at this time.
Fran Longobardi and Family
Dear HPOU,
Thank you so much for the beautiful plant and the support during the
loss of my father. He was a great support in my career at HPD and
knows how special my HPD family is to me. Thank you again.
God Bless you all!
Sincerely,
Philip Mulford and Family
Officer Emily Caldwell
Check out the
new HPOU website
at hpou.org
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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)
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Get your running/walking shoes out and
join the Houston Astros for the Badges &
Bases 10K/5K Run at Minute Maid Park
on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kids 12 & under can
enter the Kids Fun Run and all participants
will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Officer Pens Unique Book
that Takes God on Patrol
By BARBARA SCHWARTZ
Every cop has stories to tell, told over brews or barbecue or a
fishing pole, embellished as the years progress. Stories about the one
who got away or the one who won’t go away and haunts the officer in
reoccurring nightmares.
While attending an officer’s funeral, he heard Pastor Ed Young quote
from Romans 13:1-7 (see sidebar) and realized that the Bible, God’s
word, defined a police officer’s right to employ violence to accomplish
a job that is God’s will.
Hundreds of officers have followed in the footsteps of Joseph
Wambaugh scribing their stories and producing a book.
In a refreshing twist to the cop memoir genre, retired Officer Mark
Caronna writes from the unique perspective of a Christian officer.
“That was a concept I hadn’t heard before,” Mark said of the Romans
passage. “That this God that I believed in might use me not just
for helping little old ladies across the street and all those kind,
compassionate things, but that my potentially using deadly force may
somehow be in His plan.”
His book, “Taking God on Patrol,” chronicles his struggles to
reconcile his Christian beliefs with: his oath to serve and protect,
the violence the job entails, having to stare evil in the face, and the
temptations and ethical challenges inherent in working the streets.
He came to understand that he had been trained and equipped to use
deadly force, under the authority of government, to battle evildoers
as stated in the scriptures.
His faith laid the foundation that helped him navigate through the ups
and downs of his 28-year career with the Houston Police Department.
In the book, Mark gives a poignant, honest account of a topic not often
discussed in law enforcement--crossing the thin blue line.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, if yours differs from Mark’s, or
even if you don’t believe at all, this book will appeal to you.
“I had no idea how much it had affected me until I started writing
the book,” Mark admits. The act of writing the first draft, penned
longhand in 1998, healed an old wound.
Mark possesses an exceptional narrative voice that draws the
reader into each chapter and story. He captures the culture of law
enforcement, and especially HPD, in a way that makes the book an
excellent resource to educate loved ones and new officers about
the nature of the job and the issues and decisions an officer faces
every day.
Each chapter in the 156-page book relates a true story featuring
an event, or call for service, from Mark’s career matched with an
applicable Bible scripture. He explains how the lessons apply not
only to law enforcement, but to every aspect of life.
Although names, dates, times, and places are changed to protect the
innocent as the saying goes, Mark took the risk that people will know
who and what he’s talking about.
Early in his career Mark said he “struggled as a Christian to
understand that it was okay for me to put hands on someone to
forcefully put them in handcuffs.”
In Chapter 4, “Test of Faith,” Mark shares the 1983 incident, during
his rookie year, that colored the rest of his life and career.
He describes his excitement about participating in his “first real
police scene” only to find himself a witness to a use of force incident.
He kept silent, never talking about the incident, until he got the fateful
call from IAD.
Mark had a decision to make that challenged his faith, beliefs, ethics,
and integrity.
He chose to tell the truth about what he saw and the book details how
he paid the price for the path he chose.
Mark includes the story as a lesson because there isn’t an officer out
there, current or retired, who hasn’t faced a test of ethics or integrity
during the course of their career. If you haven’t yet, you will. Mark’s
9/7/14 11:49 PM
message is that you must prepare for that moment ahead of time.
You can’t wait until you are faced with the decision to decide how you
will act.
Mark challenges officers to “shine the light” and “be an example,”
a mentor, on how you handle the job. To always be professional and
maintain yourself as a decent, compassionate person as you go about
executing your duties as a police officer. “Don’t allow the nature of the
job to cause you to lose your sense of compassion,” Mark advises.
Mark reminds us that every single individual regardless of who they
are, regardless of their religious beliefs, can make a difference
starting with their families and reaching out into their communities
to have a positive impact on people.
No one lives his life only to himself, without responsibility to others is
Mark’s message from Chapter 16.
Mark implores officers to hold fast to their integrity and be true to
their oath.
Although the citizenry and the media fail to acknowledge the fact,
Mark proudly points out that the Houston Police Department is one of
the most ethical law enforcement agencies in the nation.
Caronna:
Scripture for
Police Officers
By BARBARA A. SCHWARTZ
In his unique book, “Taking God on Patrol,” Mark Caronna reminds
officers that Romans 13:1-7 gives police officers the right to
employ violence:
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are
established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed
the ordinance of God, and they who have opposed will receive
condemnation upon themselves.”
“For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil…
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for
nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on
the one who practices evil…”
Mark’s book teaches lessons that will help keep it that way.
“Taking God on Patrol” (ISBN: 978-1-4908-2699-8) can be purchased
from the publisher at www.westbowpress.com or at www.amazon.
com, or www.barnesandnoble.com.
DON’T GET CAUGHT
without an ad in the
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&GUN
Call Celest at (832) 541-1463
Support PAC, It Pays Big Returns
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Obituaries
Adams
Flores
Ambuehl
Garza
Arocha
Gonzalez
Joan Adams passed away Aug. 20. She is the grandmother of
Sergeant Charles A. Granger, assigned to the Jail Division. Services
were held Aug. 22.
Mrs. Joyce Ambuehl passed away on Aug. 18. She is the mother of
Sgt. Robert Ambuehl of the Vice Division. Services were held Aug. 22
with burial in Rosenberg.
Climaco V. Arocha passed away July 9. He is the father of Retired
Senior Police Officer Jim Arocha, who retired from the Recruiting
Division in 2007, and the grandfather of Police Officer Jarrett Arocha,
who is assigned the Airport Division. Graveside services were held in
San Antonio on July 21.
Barnes
Cathy Barnes passed away on Aug. 5. She is the sister of Sgt.
Frederick E. Groves, assigned to South Gessner Division; aunt of Lt.
Troy R. Finner, assigned to the Public Affairs Division, and Lt. Ronald
P. Sweet, assigned to the Homicide Division; cousin of Senior Police
Officer Norris W. Groves, assigned to the Southeast Division, Senior.
Police Officer Vincent A. Taylor, assigned to the Command Center,
Senior Police Officer Clifford M. Jackson, assigned to the South
Gessner Division, Senior Police Officer Don E. Henry, assigned to
the South Central Division, Retired Senior Police Officer Reginald
Harris, Retired Senior Police Officer Ronald Davis and Retired Senior
Police Officer Edith Renfro. Services were held Aug. 16 with burial in
Houston Memorial Cemetery in Pearland.
Cormier
Patricia Cormier passed away July 11. She is the sister of Senior
Police Officer Artimus Cormier, assigned to the Airport – IAH
Division. Services were held July 19.
Eickenhorst
Retired Lt. Wilbert G. Eickenhorst passed away on Aug. 15. He joined
Police Academy Class No. 20 on Dec. 29, 1958. He served for over 35
years and retired while last assigned to the SOLO Detail on April 1,
1994. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Eickenhorst. Services were
held Aug. 22 with burial in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Farias
Senior Police Officer Rudolph Farias III, assigned to the Traffic
Enforcement Division, passed away on Aug. 19. He is survived by
his wife, Romi Farias. Services were held Aug. 17 with burial in
Rosewood Cemetery in Humble.
Adolph Flores Jr. passed August 3. He is the father of Senior Police
Officer Michael A. Flores, assigned to the Gang Division. Services
were held Aug. 9 with burial in Forest Park Lawndale.
Joe “Joey” Gilbert Garza passed away July 29. He is the brother of
Senior Police Officer Daniel Garza, assigned to the Narcotics Division.
Services were held Aug. 2 with burial in Forest Park Lawndale.
Maria Henrietta Gonzalez passed away Aug. 13. She is the mother
of Angelica Garza, a Criminal Intelligence Analyst assigned to
the Homicide Division. Services were held Aug. 19 with burial in
Brookside Memorial Park.
Hampton
Alvin Richard Hampton Jr. passed away Aug. 12. He is the father of
retired Senior Police Officer Shawna D. Hampton, who retired from
the Department May 28, 2011, and her partner, retired Sgt. Madolyn
Nasworthy, who retired from the Department May 28, 2011. Graveside
services were held Aug. 15 in Wheeler County, Texas.
Henderson
Tom Henderson passed away Aug. 15. He is the father-in-law
of Inventory Management Clerk Rix Stanley III, assigned to the
Technology Services Command. Services were held Aug. 23 with
burial in Houston National Cemetery.
Iwasyk
Warren Iwasyk passed away July 20, 1014. He is the father of Senior
Police Officer Michael Iwasyk, assigned to the Northeast Division.
Private memorial services were scheduled.
Jett
Retired Police Officer Sherwood C. Jett passed away Aug. 18. Officer
Jett joined the Department May 1, 1967 as a member of Academy
Class No. 35. He has been assigned to Central, Special Operations,
and the Vice Division and retired May 30, 1998. He is survived by
his wife, Jeanette Jett. Services were held Aug. 20 with burial in
Brookside Memorial Park.
Jones
Amy Jones passed away July 21. She is the mother of Senior Police
Officer Charlotte J. Olford, assigned to the Juvenile Division. Services
were held July 26 with burial in Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Legg
Retired Officer James H. Legg passed away on July 31. He joined Police
Academy Class No. 28 on May 20, 1963. He retired while assigned to
the Northwest Division on March 22, 1991. Officer Legg was preceded
in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Legg, who passed away on Dec. 28,
2013. He is survived by his sons, Senior Police Officer Michael J.
Legg, assigned to the Northwest Division, and Robbie Legg. Services
were held Aug. 6 with burial in Klein Cemetery.
Lilley
Ellis Lilley died Aug. 11. She is the widow of B.F. Lilley of HPD
Academy Class No. 20, who served 1958-2002); mother of Russell F.
Lilley of HPD Academy Class No. 112, and C.F. Lilley of HPD Academy
Class No. 148, who served 1992-1997 and is now a Department of
Homeland Security agent. Services were held Aug. 14 in Cleveland
with burial in Magnolia Community Cemetery.
McDonald
Mr. Gordon McDonald, 82, passed away on July 27. He is the father of
Senior Police Officer Heather L. McDonald, assigned to the Recruiting
Division. He is also survived by his wife, Marilyn McDonald, and son,
Sean McDonald. Services were held Aug. 1 with burial in Kountze.
Mitchell
Mr. Johnny Mitchell, 77, passed away on Aug. 8. He is the stepfather of Senior Police Officer Darrell Patrick Small, assigned to the
Eastside Division. Services were held Aug. 15.
Obituaries
Patterson
Mr. Earnest Patterson, Sr. passed away on Aug. 13. He is the grandfather
of Police Officer Patrick S. Robinson, assigned to the Recruiting Division.
Services were held Aug. 23 with burial in Kaufman.
Rapp
Kyle W. Rapp passed away July 21. He is the father-in-law of
Senior Police Officer Charles K. Overstreet (North Division) and the
grandfather of Police Officers Shawn C. Overstreet (Homicide) and
Cameron K. Overstreet (North Division). Services were held July 24
with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Taylor
Mr. Willie Henry Taylor passed away on Aug. 13. He is the father of
Sgt. Michael D. Taylor, assigned to Field Operations Command, uncle
of Police Officer Eric O. Williams, assigned to the Special Operations
Division, and former HPD officer, Agent Edric D. Williams, currently
serving with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Services were held Aug.
23 with burial in Hearne.
Thrash
Connie Thrash passed away Aug. 19. She is the wife of retired Sgt.
Burnis Thrash, who retired from the Department March 22, 2008.
Services were held Aug. 22.
Owens
Senior Police Officer Lecinda Owens passed away Aug. 19. She is
currently assigned to the Midwest Division. Officer Owens joined the
Department Aug. 24, 1994 as a member of Academy Class No. 160.
She has been assigned to Central, the Jail, Southwest, Westside and
Midwest during her career. Services were held Aug. 27 with burial
in Killeen.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
In Memory of…
September - Houston Police Officers
Slain in the Line of Duty
E.C Chavez 09-17-1925
Edward D. Fitzgerald 09-30-1930
David Huerta 09-19-1973
William Moss 09-12-1983
Airport P.D.
Jerry K. Stowe 09-20-2000
Rodney Johnson 09-21-2006
W.B. Phares 09-30-1930
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.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
Psych Services
Social Anxiety Disorder
and Some Possible Solutions
By LISA GARMEZY
The client was shocked. Her therapist’s laptop battery died while
she was waiting around in a jury pool—so she asked for and received
permission to plug in at the large desk in front of 155 potential jurors.
“How could you stand people staring at you?” the client asked. “What
if they criticized you?” These are the doubts affecting 15 million
people in the U.S. every day.
Folks who are constantly afraid of being “judged as anxious, weak,
crazy, stupid, boring, intimidating, dirty or unlikable” may have Social
Anxiety Disorder, or SAD. The problem impacts both sexes and all
ages, although it almost always starts between ages 8 and 15.
About 10 per cent of people who call themselves shy actually have this
diagnosable mental illness. As with other issues, if it doesn’t cause
you significant problems in life, it’s a quirk—everyone is entitled to a
personality—but if it seriously impacts your life, it’s a disorder.
If you don’t like to participate in class but can when your grade
depends on it, you’re shy.
If you dread participation so much you take an F instead of raising
your hand—that’s probably SAD.
If you can’t go to the orientation for a promotional exam because you
worry that people will wonder why you think you have a shot, that’s
SAD – and sad.
Some people with the diagnosis can’t order a meal in a restaurant or
eat, write or use the restroom in front of others. Sound familiar? Find
a self-test by googling “Columbia University LSAS-SR.”
It’s Fixable
Dr. Judith Beck, the nervy therapist, pointed out to her client that,
first, she didn’t care what people thought. Second, she didn’t think the
sight of her working would be that fascinating and, although people
might think about it and comment on it for a moment, it wouldn’t hold
their interest.
Last, if they did judge her, thinking, “She thinks she’s such a big shot,”
they’d be wrong. She didn’t take the prominent spot because she
expected special treatment; she just had work to do.
People get over social anxiety by correcting “stinking thinking” about
the opinions of others. They let go of beliefs and fears like, “It will
be devastating if not everyone likes me.” Patients learn to switch
to thoughts that help them cope better, such as “I don’t have to be
perfect,” or “Strangers don’t matter.”
The generally safe SSRI antidepressants and other medications can
help people recover. So does improving social skills. We tell people to
go to Toastmasters or read an etiquette book. Run your conversation
starters by a therapist, if you need to. We’ll tell you if they’re fine or
a bit creepy.
Try This at Home
One classic exercise is going to the mall and asking 10 people what
time it is. Approaching strangers helps people overcome social
anxiety, if they can force themselves to do it.
Try it and you’ll find that even though you ask the same question the
same way each time, the answer will come back in 10 different ways.
It may come back bored, courteous or flirtatious. Some people want
to chat, and others will walk on without answering. It all teaches the
client, “Hey, people bring their own issues to any conversation – if it
gets goofy, it’s not catastrophic and it’s not all you.”
Afraid you are going to sweat in front of others? Wear a heavy sweater
around for a while and tempt fate. Learn that if you do sweat, it’s not
the end of the world. Make yourself tell a joke. Compliment a cashier.
The Fine Print
But there’s a trick to practicing. If you go to a party and you make
yourself stay although you feel incredibly awkward, you’ve done well,
and it should be a little easier next time. However, if you go to a party,
feel socially anxious and leave—then you have learned that it feels good
to get out, and you’ll probably want to leave even sooner next time.
The key is to remain in the threatening situation until your
anxiety level goes down. That is, unlearn your habit of escaping. Deep
breathing helps.
Because a fine line separates success from complications, the help
of a therapist is a good idea. Treatment usually involves trying things
that are only a little threatening at first and working up to harder
tasks, such as asking someone for a date.
On the Record
To support clients, these are some of the things I’ve found myself
saying over and over:
Let your life speak. This old Quaker saying reassures people that
over time, a life led as a good person creates a certain kind of track
record. People who matter will evaluate you based on the big picture,
not one day’s acts.
Other people are dealing with their own stuff. Busy with work and
family, romantic and financial problems, they spend less time than
you think watching you. On the rare occasions when you are the
center of attention, as Dr. Beck pointed out, it doesn’t last long.
A clergyman told me that early in his career he confided to his father
that some of his sermons seemed to flop. His dad said he’d learned
from a lifetime in the furniture business that if you give the stuff away
free, five percent of the people still complain. You can’t please everyone.
Ultimately, healing social anxiety comes down to feeling confidence
in your own judgment. You have to know what a reasonable request
is. Plus you have to believe that you have as much right to make that
request, and get what you want in life, as anyone else does. Got a
problem with that?
Last, treatment usually involves experimenting with exposure to
scary situations. You can try these on your own – but be careful.
9/7/14 11:49 PM
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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
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
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
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
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
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
Lake Livingston Townhome 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath For rent Call
832-876-5511 or 713-459-8111
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
Miscellaneous
House for Rent: Bear Creek Area. 3 Bedroom/Game room.
Cy-Fair School District. Swimming Pool. $1095.00/month. Call
832-282-5216.
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
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
Classifieds
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
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
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
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
Tax Preparation From Home Office 40% - 50% Lower Fees.
Contact for estimate L. Dexter Price, CPA [email protected]
832.243.1477
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
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
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
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
Mini Storage Police officer discount. 290 area. Call Dave for
details 713-460-4611
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]
Officers: Thank you for your service.
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
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.
For All Your Gun and Ammo Needs Black Gold Guns & Ammo.
Buy, Sell & Trade 713-694-4887
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
TAX PREPARATION From Home Office. Low Fees - $65 up.
L. Dexter Price, CPA. ldexterprice@ comcast.net 713.826.4777
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
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.
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.
Wanted
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 $2000.00. Could owner carry notes. 281.782.3144
HPD Commemorative Pistols I'm looking to buy one or two
of the HPD commemorative pistols. I seem to recall they were
offered around 1978-1982. Joe Salvato (Ret.) 281-728-0131
Wanted Beretta 9MM FS “Police Special” (Black or Stainless)
Please call Zach (832) 457-0647.
Wanted Top CA$H Paid for your used or unwanted guns.
Blackgold Guns & Ammo 713-694-4867 Police Officer Owned
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
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
Hunting Weekend Expedition Affordable prices, private
property. Whitetails, exotics & pigs. Call for details Officer Mike
Gonzalez 713-702-5838 or email [email protected]
Looking for a home or bare land? Contact retired officer,
DALLAS BINGLEY at Kerrville Realty - in the Heart of the Texas
Hill Country: (O) 830-896-2200 or (M) 830-739-1766 dallasb@
dallasb.name
9/7/14 11:49 PM
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PDF - Houston Police Officers Union

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