PDF - Houston Police Officers Union

Transcription

HPOU
Strength
Unity
Through
Texas’ Largest Police Union
The Publication of the Houston Police Officer s’ Union
www.HPOU.org
Vo l . X X X X N o . 4
April 2014
The President’s Message
Ray Hunt
Manpower,
Manpower,
Manpower!
In last month’s article regarding manpower, two issues got the
attention of veteran officers at HPD. I was first asked where I had
gotten the number that we are at least 1,500 officers understaffed.
That number came from a September 2009 editorial written by
then-Police Chief Harold Hurtt.
HPOU night at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo saw two young men catch the
HPOU-sponsored calf in the Calf Scramble on the last Friday night of the three-week
show. No. 16 scrambler is Taylor Field of Hillsboro, who is depicted with HPD Calf
Scramble Posse member Chase Cormier, Field’s ag teacher Laura George, HPOU
President Ray Hunt, 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi and 1st Vice President Doug
Griffith. LIVESTOCK SHOW PHOTO
See more on the
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
on page 16A-17A
Houston Police Officers’ Union
1600 State Street
Houston, Texas 77007
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Houston, Texas
Permit No. 7227
My personal estimation is much higher simply based on comparable
cities, calls-for-service load and the number of cases with leads that our
investigators are unable to work.
That same article in 2009 showed that Washington, DC, Chicago,
Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City have an average of 4.6
officers-per-1,000 population. Former Chief Hurtt went on to explain
that for Houston to reach a staffing level of 4.6 officers-per-1,000, we
would need 5,000 more officers than we had in 2009.
We have had no measurable net gain in the last 10 years.
The second statement in last month’s article that a veteran officer
advised me was “very telling” was that the current academy class of 30
(now 29) would not even keep up with the number retiring during that
academy class. Several reasons have been cited for the small number,
but I believe pay, lack of DROP and retirement at 55 are keys.
A $5,000 hiring bonus is in the works and should increase the
numbers for the next class.
However, simply staying around the attrition level is not ever going to
increase staffing at the Houston Police Department. It’s time for our
city leaders to listen to the alarms.
‘Blue Outs’
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.
Many of you have probably read or heard City Council speaking of
HFD’s “Brown Outs” in the City of Houston.
Continues on Page 4
Page 1A Badge & Gun • April 2014
BadgeGun April 2014 Issue.indd 1
4/2/14 11:17 PM
HPOU Board of Directors
Executive Board
Ray Hunt
President
(281) 701-5428
[email protected]
Doug Griffith
1st Vice-President
(713) 501-4991
[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
Director 9
(281) 795-5051
[email protected]
Rosalinda Ybanez Timothy Whitaker Luis Menedez-Sierra Robert Sandoval
Rebecca Dallas
Stephen Augustine
Tom Hayes
Director 11
Director 10
Director 12
Director 15
Director 16
Director 14
Director 13
(832) 293-1495
(832) 419-9589
(832) 606-9502
(832) 677-0137
(281) 924-3015
(281) 924-6369
(832) 513-5110
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Colton Pervil
Bill Booth
Terry Seagler
John Yencha
Director 20
Director 17
Director 18
Director 19
(832) 291-9004
(281) 924-3016
(832) 494-8244
(832) 731-9361
[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]
Joslyn Johnson
Randy Upton
Parliamentarian
Sergeant at Arms
(832) 642-9899
(281) 352-6236
[email protected] [email protected]
Cole Lester
Dana Hitzman
Assistant Secretary 2nd Assistant Secretary
(281) 924-3003
(832) 731-7501
[email protected] [email protected]
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Editorial Page
BADGE&GUN HPOU PAC’s Endorsement
Voice of the Houston Police Officers’ Union
Published monthly at no subscription charge
by the:
Houston Police Officers’ Union
1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007
Ph: 832-200-3400 • Toll free: 1-800-846-1167
Fax: 832-200-3470
E-mail: [email protected]
Website address: www.HPOU.org
Legal Department: 832-200-3420
Legal Dept Fax: 832-200-3426
Insurance: 832-200-3410
Badge & Gun is the official publication of the
Houston Police Officers’ Union. Badge & Gun is
published monthly under the supervision of its
Board of Directors. However, opinions expressed
by individual Board members or any other writer
in this publication do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the entire Board of Directors. Editorial
submissions are welcomed and encouraged.
All submissions must be received by the 7th of
the month.
ADVERTISEMENT IN THE BADGE &
GUN DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
A WARRANTY OR A GUARANTEE BY
THE UNION.
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
Badge & Gun
1600 State Street
Houston, TX 77007
Fax: 832-200-3470
in May 27 Runoff
THE HPOU PAC COMMITTEE HAS ISSUED A LIST of its endorsements in the May 27 runoff
election. The PAC found that these runoff candidates can best represent the Union’s interests in state
politics and at the Courthouse.
Early voting in the runoff begins May 17 and lasts through May 23, four days before the actual runoff
election. The PAC endorsements:
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick (R)
State Attorney General
Ken Paxton (R)
State Agriculture Commissioner
Sid Miller (R)
State Representative, District 129 (Clear Lake area)
Dennis Paul (R)
State Representative, District 132 (Katy area)
Mike Scofield (R)
Judge, 247th District Court
M. L. “Meca” Walker (R)
Judge, 311th District Court
Alicia Franklin (R)
County Criminal Court at Law No. 10
Dan J. Spjut (R)
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2
Laryssa Korduba (R)
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
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Continues from Pay Page 1
These refer to times when trucks or ambulances have to be taken out of
service because of staffing levels due to vacation, sick or emergency time
taken by our firefighters.
Many of our leaders were hitting the panic button when they heard
these were taking place. They moved quickly to find funding to prevent
this from happening.
While I applaud their efforts to keep this city safe, I feel it’s time to alert
them of the “Blue Outs” at the Houston Police Department that have
been taking place for at least the last 50 years.
Everyone wants their neighborhood protected and wants an officer to
show up quickly when called, but no one seems to be willing to do what
it takes to make that happen.
We must increase the number of police officers in Houston in order to
keep this city AND our officers safe. One cannot want more services
from the City of Houston and be unwilling to increase taxes or have a
public safety fee to pay for the services.
It’s past time to act!
We have a minimum staffing level at HPD, but drastic measures are not
taken when we fall below that level. As a patrol officer for 18 years, I
found that every night we had patrol cars sitting empty for entire shifts
due to vacations, sick officers or family emergencies resulting in an
officer taking off at the last minute.
These “Blue Outs” simply mean those in the beat or other beats just
work harder and run more calls to cover those slots, some officers
running very serious calls with one person.
We do not bring in persons for overtime to make sure all vehicles are on
the streets or that each beat has multiple officers. That would blow our
budget every year, just as the fire department has seen.
While I would welcome a policy at HPD that required the department
to make sure all slots were filled each day, evening, and night, we would
never stay in budget.
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 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)
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Sgt. Catherine Richards
Selected Investigator of the Month
The Union honored Sgt. Catherine Richards
as the Investigator of the Month in the March
general membership meeting.
Richards and Westside TACT worked well into
the night of Jan. 6 to make these arrests. The
next day she and another officer interviewed
both suspects and obtained full confessions
from both men.
Sgt. Tony Mora of the Robbery Division
described Richards’ actions on Jan. 6 as they led
to a successful outcome of a high-priority case.
“From each suspect, based on their confessions,
items located in the stolen vehicles the suspects
were stopped in and information developed by
Sgt. Richards, both suspects were charged with
multiple aggravated robberies and one count of
aggravated sexual assault,” Mora said.
“An aggravated robbery and sexual assault of
a 54-year-old female jogger in Terry Hershey
Park had occurred the previous Friday,”
Mora explained.
“Sgt. Richards requested that that case be
assigned to her an immediately went to work
searching the various available data bases at
her disposal in an attempt to develop leads in
thise case.
“She also conducted a detailed follow-up
interviewing of the complainant which
grated aided her investigation. Using her
experience and diligence in researching and
developing leads, Sgt. Richards was able to
develop possible suspects.”
She also enlisted the assistance of the Westside
Divisional TACT unit. The unit used
He went on to point out that “while
greatly assisted by the members of the Westside
Tactical Unit and Senior Officer Roscoe, it was
Sgt. Richards who guided and orchestrated
this investigation and the bringing together of
department assests to bring about the arrest of
both suspects.
information Richards developed to locate and
apprehend the suspects, who were found in a
stolen vehicle.
Mike Rodriguez Named
Patrol Officer of the Month
North Patrol Officer Mike Rodriguez was
named the latest HPOU Patrol Officer of
the Month in the March general membership
meeting.
“The off-duty officer was headed home from
a restaurant and was passing by a convenience
store. He observed two Hispanic males who
appeared to be waiting to rob another Hispanic
male who had just exited the store.
Gamaldi said the officer drove his truck against
traffic and pulled his front wheels on the curb,
blocking traffic to prevent another vehicle from
running over the victim. He began yelling at
the suspects to get away from him and to leave.
waistband, put his right hand on the pistol and
began walking directly at the officer’s vehicle.
“The officer began backing up his vehicle but
was concerned that he was backing blindly
since he did not want to take his attention away
from the suspect and his gun. As the suspect
tightened his grip on the gun, making the
officer believe he was about to draw the
weapon and shoot, the officer shot two times
out of his driver’s side window.
HPOU 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi
presented the honor to Rodriguez and gave an
account of his excellent work. The officer was
off-duty at the time of the definitive incident. “The officer made a u-turn and by the time he
made it back to their location, the two males were
already attacking the victim. One of the suspects
threw the victim to the street and it appeared
to the officer that the victim hit his head on the
pavement and was no longer moving.”
“Sgt. Richards’ unassuming demeanor does
nothing to hide her dogged pursuit of justice
on behalf of the citizens of Houston. Sgt.
Richards is an inspiration and an example to
all of her co-workers and I am honored to serve
with her,” Mora said.
“As the suspect began running parallel to
the officer’s vehicle, the officer shot two or
three more times. The suspect then continued
running and disappeared around a corner.
He then observed that one of the suspects had
a gun.
“The officer identified himself as a police
officer to the suspects and the second suspect
ran away,” Gamaldi explained. “However, the
first suspect who had placed the pistol in his
“The officer then went back to check on
the victim. The suspect was found a short
distance away with two gunshot wounds and
was DOA.”
Gamaldi also revealed an interesting side note:
Rodriguez was IOD, having had recent surgery
on a torn biceps muscle.
“Officer Rodriguez actually shot the suspect
center mass using his weak hand.”
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Legal Department Victories
Armed Suspect DOA at Scene
REPRESENTATION
By Chad T. Hoffman, Staff Legal Counsel
About 9 p.m. on Feb. 16 an off-duty officer was
headed home from a restaurant and was passing
by a convenience store in the 700 block of West
Gulf Bank. He observed two Hispanic males
who appeared to be waiting to rob another
Hispanic male who had just exited the store.
The officer made a u-turn and by the time he
made it back to their location, the two males were
already attacking the victim. One of the suspects
threw the victim to the street and it appeared
to the officer that the victim hit his head on the
pavement and was no longer moving.
The officer drove his truck against traffic
and pulled his front wheels on the curb,
blocking traffic to prevent another vehicle from
running over the victim. He began yelling at
the suspects to get away from him and to leave.
He then observed that one of the suspects had
a gun.
The officer identified himself as a police
officer to the suspects and the second suspect
ran away. However, the first suspect who had
placed the pistol in his waistband put his right
hand on the pistol and began walking directly
at the officer’s vehicle.
The officer began backing up his vehicle but
was concerned that he was backing blindly
since he did not want to take his attention away
from the suspect and his gun. As the suspect
tightened his grip on the gun, making the
officer believe he was about to draw the
weapon and shoot, the officer shot two times
out of his driver’s side window.
As the suspect began running parallel to
the officer’s vehicle, the officer shot two or
three more times. The suspect then continued
running and disappeared around a corner. The
officer then went back to check on the victim.
The suspect was found a short distance away
with two gunshot wounds and was DOA. On
a side note, the officer was IOD, having had
recent surgery on a torn biceps muscle. The
officer actually shot the suspect center mass
using his weak hand.
K-9s Help Apprehend
Armed Suspects
REPRESENTATION
The officer responded to a robbery call at
the Dollar General store at Little York and
TC Jester about 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Shortly
after arriving, he observed three suspects with
hoodies exiting the store.
The suspects ran north through an open field,
so the officer left the roadway and pursued the
suspects through the field in his vehicle. As
the officer pursued, one of the suspects fired
a weapon back at him. The officer stopped
his vehicle and exited to use the engine block
as cover.
The suspects continued to run so the officer
continued his pursuit on foot west in the 3500
block of Areba. As the suspects ran through
the front yard of a residence, one of them
turned back toward the officer, swinging his
arm backward too.
Fearing that the suspect was about to shoot at
him again, the officer fired two rounds from
the street. The suspects continued running
west and north through a vacant lot next to the
residence. When they reached a back fence, two
of the suspects jumped the fence as the third
suspect posted up to provide cover for them.
officer re-holstered his weapon and followed,
continuing to tell the suspect to stop and come
with him as the suspect walked west on Dallas
near a construction site. The suspect then
picked up a 4X4 piece of wood and walked
toward the officer.
The officer again drew his weapon and backed
away from the suspect, telling him to put the
wood down. The suspect then swung the wood
at the officer’s head and the officer fired two
times at the suspect, striking him one time in
the arm.
As the suspect walked away, an HCSO deputy
pulled up and drew down on the plainclothes
officer after hearing the shots. The officer
identified himself as HPD and the deputy
then made contact with the suspect and had
him lie on the ground until other HPD
officers arrived.
When the officer observed the suspect posting
up in a shooting stance, he fired his weapon
two more times at the suspect. The third
suspect then also jumped the fence and fled
on foot. The suspect’s weapon and money
was found on the other side of the fence. All
three of the suspects were eventually captured
with the assistance of K-9 units. None of the
suspects were hit by the rounds, but all three
received bite wounds from the K-9.
Officer Shoots
Threatening Suspect
REPRESENTATION
An officer, who is assigned to B & T, had
walked to the Starbucks to get a cup of coffee
at about 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 in the 900 block of
Dallas. While in line, he peripherally observed
a black male walk into the store, pick up an
item from a shelf and thought he saw the male
place the item back on the shelf before walking
out the door.
Another patron in the store then told the
barista that the male stole something. The
officer then followed the suspect and stopped
him on the sidewalk. Although the officer had
his police ID around his neck, he identified
himself as HPD and told the suspect to come
with him back to the store.
The suspect responded with, “f--- you”
and grabbed for the officer’s badge while
stating, “where did you get the fake badge?” The
suspect then took a swing at the officer, so the
officer backed away and drew his weapon.
The suspect proceeded to walk onto Main
Street and began walking north. The
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 PM
HPOU Supporting Undies for Everyone
By TOM KENNEDY
The HPOU has donated $2,000 to a unique
non-profit organization known as Undies for
Everyone, which is dedicated to supplying new
underwear to underprivileged Houston area
school children.
The effort began in 2008 when a social worker
told Rabbi Weiss, “What these kids really need
is underwear.”
“You don’t hear about underwear being given,”
Weiss said, “It’s the basic idea of dignity and
self-esteem. A child is embarrassed if they are
not clean or don’t have clean underwear and
are teased.”
The rabbi told the Chronicle that “even though
we’re growing, we still can’t serve everyone.
So the question is, how many pairs to give
each child?
“We go for breadth instead of depth. Each
child gets two pairs. Our goal is to give each
child five pairs of undies and socks, but for
now, it’s wear one, wash one.”
She said businesses and institutions favorably
responded to Undies for Everyone in much the
same manner as they did for the various drives
to provide backpacks and school supplies.
In 2012 the organization donated 10,000 pair
to area school children. Last year the number
grew to 35,000 pair.
Weiss, who also is a member of Houston’s
Independent Police Oversight Board, said the
effort extends well beyond the Houston city
limits. A Houston Chronicle story detailed
the distribution of 3,000 pairs to Fort Bend
County Independent School District.
By press time the Union had scheduled an
April 7 news conference to formally announce
the contribution alongside the organization’s
founder and executive director, Rabbi Amy
Weiss.
The drive began in 2008 as a modest campaign
to supply disadvantaged children with new
undies before the start of the each school year.
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Good News! The Names Holmes and Weiss
to be Added to Memorial
By DON EGDORF
Last year as we were preparing to head to Washington, D.C. for Police
Week, I decided to look up the location on the National Police Officers
Memorial of all 112 Houston Police Officers that have died in the line
of duty.
these cases from retired Homicide Lt. Nelson Zoch, author of Fallen
Heroes of the Bayou City, and the cases were sent to Chief McClelland
for review.
Once signed off by the chief, the packets were sent to the Names
Committee for review. On Feb. 11 the Names Committee approved
adding Officer Dennis Holmes’ name to the Memorial and a short time
later we learned that Officer William Weiss also was approved.
We are still waiting to hear about Officer Whitlock’s case. He had
reported to work early and was shot while at the pistol range 15
minutes prior to his shift actually starting, which raises the question as
to whether or not it is a line of duty case.
The best part of all of this came when I was able to call Dennis Holmes’
wife, Kym, and let her know the good news. Kym and her daughters,
Kristen and Ashley, along with many other family members will be making the trip to Washington this May for Police Week. It comes 13 years
too late, but I am proud that we are finally able to give the Holmes
family members the recognition that they deserve.
Kym Holmes sent the following letter, which the Badge & Gun prints
in full here.
The plan was to place a special HPD patch under each name to simply
show that their sacrifices were not forgotten and never will be. Much
to my surprise there were three names that I was not able to find when
searching the memorial’s website.
They were:
Officer William Weiss E.O.W.07-30-1901
Officer Paul Whitlock E.O.W. 04-22-1928
Officer Dennis Holmes E.O.W. 01-10-2001
I sent an email to the National Memorial Board’s Names Committee to
find out why these names were not listed. The response that I received
a few days later was certainly not what I had expected.
I was told that the Memorial had no record of Officers Weiss or Whitlock
ever having been submitted for placement on the wall. Along with that
response was an attachment with numerous newspaper articles from
1901 regarding the death of Officer Weiss that the Names Committee
had been able to locate, and instructions on how to nominate him to be
included on the wall this year.
The response for Officer Dennis Holmes was a different story altogether.
I was told that HPD had informed the National Memorial that his was
not a line of duty death and because of that, he was never considered for
placement on the wall.
I was a cadet in the Academy when Dennis Holmes died and although
I never knew him, it is something I have always remembered. I checked
and confirmed that his death was a line of duty death.
Something needed to be done to fix this.
After gathering as much information as I could on all three cases, I
spoke to Officer Mike Newsome in the Family Assistance Unit and
asked for his help. Mike was able to get additional information on
A letter from Kym Holmes:
In the last 13 years the girls and I have had our share of ups and downs,
but life in general seems to be OK. Recently we traveled back to New
York as Mr. Holmes passed away in June. He had been sick for so many
years due to his heart problems.
Hopefully we will be able to go again this July. Kristen is now 27 years
old and works as an educator for Humble ISD and has been there for
the last five years. She goes to college part-time and will be applying for
the physical therapy assistant program this fall. She can’t wait as she is
so tired of the job she has now.
After she completes the program she would like to work in some hospital
with critical care patients. If she doesn’t get into the physical therapy
assistant program, she will be putting in for the surgical tech program.
Kristen has a good head on her shoulders and is determined to be
successful in life. After PT school, her dream is to one day get married
and have three children. I am so very proud of Kristen. She has come a
long way since her father died.
Ashley is now 23 years old and is a full-time student at Lone Star
College. When she graduated in 2009, she moved to College Station for
two years. While there she attended Blinn College and lived on her own
with some help from Mom. She grew up a lot and learned to take care
of problems that came her way. Now she’s been back here in Kingwood
for the last two years and tells me she’s so tired of going to school and
just wants to work 8 to 5 (don’t we all).
Ashley will also be applying for the physical therapy assistant program
this fall. The girls have taken several classes together at Lone Star, which
was nice. If the PT program doesn’t work out for her, she wants to try
as a medical assistant. Living on her own has been good for her and
helped her to realize what she wants out of life. As her sister, Ashley one
day wishes to get married, but hasn’t said if she wants children. I am so
proud of Ashley as she too has come a long way since her father died.
Continues on Page 19A
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 PM
4/2/14 11:17 PM
Here’s the Story of why
Houston
Police
Officers
were chosen to guide, cajole and encourage every calf scram-
bler at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for the last 71 years,
pitching in as a Posse ‘for the kids’ - the really good kids
By TOM KENNEDY
For the past 71 years, no Houston rodeo calf scrambler has gone after a
calf without the ever-present encouragement and constant support and
counseling of a Houston police officer.
We tell them that here they are with the top cowboys in the world.
‘Why? Because you are the best of the best. You keep your grades up,
stay in school and work.’
“These kids are special and it shows in their work ethic.”
The 30 scramblers from the night of Tuesday, March 18 felt the positive
influence of posse members in HPD uniforms from the moment they
were mustered to the Calf Scramble Room at Reliant Center until they
walked away from Reliant Stadium approximately three hours later.
From their lot, 15 were “catchers” and a like number “non-catchers.”
The terms “winners” and “losers are never used, for everybody is a
winner just to be given the opportunity to halter a 170-pound animal
in front of 70,000 cheering rodeo fans.
The catchers earn $1,750 (most of it in one check) to acquire a steer or
heifer they care for and feed for one year, returning to the 2015 show to
compete for prizes. They are treated like young princes and princesses,
immediately meeting the donors of the calves they caught.
(The Houston Police Officers Union donated two calves this year, while
the Texas Police Trust donated one.)
The 2014 HPD Calf Scramble Posse is depicted here: left to right, Doug Griffith, Mark
Temple, Shawn Demaree, Stan Holmes, Darren Cunningham, Tommy Harris, Charlie
Ballard, Jacob Turner, Chase Cormier and Brett Boudreaux. GARY HICKS PHOTO
The HPD Calf Scramble Posse – the inspired brainchild of perhaps the
most storied sergeant in the department’s history – was formed in 1943.
‘It’s about the Kids’
The 10-member group always gets its teenaged protégés steering their
calves in the right direction, going so far as to urge them to grab
the calf by the tail if they need to before putting the halter over the
animal’s head.
“We take the time to engage each and every kid on a personal level
and speak with them throughout the evening,” posse member Doug
Griffith explained.
“Each officer gets a natural feel for certain kids. There are certain things
that will draw you to the kids.
“This is definitely a highlight of my career. There are twenty nights with
30 calf scramblers each night – that’s 600 kids that we can impact. It
(the calf scramble) is all about the kids.
“I can’t put into words how I feel about the kids that are out there. They
are hard-working, respectful kids. We give a speech to the non-catchers.
Griffith, HPOU’s first vice president, said Posse members especially
come through for the non-catchers, who had their hearts set on a catch
but fell short. That doesn’t mean they didn’t display “110 percent”
determination in the fierce competition in the arena.
“I saw a tear coming into the eyes of one scrambler,” Griffith said. “I
knew immediately I was going to offer encouragement and emphasize
that he did his best!”.
Harder to catch a Criminal
“We don’t always catch every crook we chase,” he said, comparing the
experience to police work. “That doesn’t mean we give up. We just keep
on trying.”
Encouraging words like these are heard throughout the night, Posse
members virtually echoing each other. Speaking with each one of them,
an interviewer heard each of them speak the same words, “This is all
about the kids.”
There also is another analogy frequently spoken. It goes along the lines
of these words:
“It’s harder to catch a calf than it is to catch a criminal. You don’t believe
that? Well, we have our guns, our Tasers, our patrol cars, the Dispatcher,
4/2/14 11:17 PM
our radios and even a helicopter. And many times we don’t catch the
bad guy we’re after.
Continues from Page 16A
Upon reflection, Howard said, “There are two ways to go: You can work
hard to catch a calf or you can forget about trying such things – and go
to prison.”
“Now, you scramblers – all you have is yourself! It’s only you – with a
halter, of course – out there in front of all those people – trying to pin
down that calf.
The scramblers are the high achievers at their respective schools. They
come from all over Texas and must be a part of their local 4-H or FFA
groups to qualify. Their names are picked from a lottery.
Overall, the numbers involved in the Calf Scramble are staggering. 20
performances times 30 scramblers times 15 calves per night times 300
donors who each pay $1,750.
We’ll say it again: It’s all for the kids.
The bonding between these teens and the men and women in Houston
blue is equally staggering.
One might ask just who made all this possible. What thoughtful
individual took the steps to make sure Houston police officers, aka the
“Posse,” were solidly entrenched in this great tradition?
His name is Sgt. Reno Kirby and his stomping grounds when the
Bayou City was a much smaller town was “the Rice Corner,” that is, the
intersection of Main Street and Texas Avenue.
Also catching one of the HPOU-sponsored calves at the Livestock Show and Rodeo was
No. 11 Scrambler Brye Watson, depicted with HPD Calf Scramble Posse member Chase
Cormier, Kacey Watson, HPOU President Ray Hunt, 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi and
1st Vice President Doug Griffith. LIVESTOCK SHOW PHOTO
“And you can do it! All it takes is using all your strength and lots of
determination to bring that calf over the line and inside the big square!”
Now along this fast-moving trail there are literally dozens of men and
women backing the Posse’s strenuous effort, most of them members
of the 248-member Calf Scramble Committee. One of them is Mike
Howard. Howard’s job is to warm up the scramblers approximately two
hours before the scramble itself.
He’s been at it 10 years and – like the other committee members – seems
to wear his love for the job on the shoulder of his western shirt. Yes, it’s
all for the kids.
Howard is loud and steady with buzz words like “Tell your mother and
daddy you love ‘em,” “Make sure God plays a role in your life,” “Make
good grades in school” and “Budget your time, be disciplined so that
you can devote time to the care and feeding of your steer or heifer.”
Like all the others, Howard has his favorite story. A young man from
a single-parent family in Houston’s inner city came out one night
wanting desperately to be chosen for the magnificent 30. He
wasn’t picked.
A Sergeant’s Brainchild
When he went back home discouraged but still hopeful, his older
brother picked on him and said he was stupid for wanting to go back.
He went back again and wasn’t chosen.
The same thing happened four straight days. But on the fifth
go-around, he made the 30 and caught the first calf – which wins the
catcher a special prize.
A year later the kid returned to see his animal win third place in a
calf-judging contest. “When the kid came back,” Howard said, “he
shook my hand and those of several other committee members. I asked
him about his brother.”
“He went to prison,” he replied to Howard.
Here is the catcher of the calf sponsored by Texas Police Trust at the Houston Livestock
Show & Rodeo. The Trust sponsors one calf in the Calf Scramble every year. This year’s
catcher is pictured here with the Trust’s Mike Mitchell, his wife Jill, the Trust’s Tom
Hayes, No. 28 scrambler/catcher, Hayes’ wife Cindy, and the Trust’s Bill Booth and his
wife, Sandra. LIVESTOCK SHOW PHOTO.
Local police legend has it that Reno, who stood six-foot-five in his
ever-present western boots, knew everybody in town since the Rice
Corner was the city’s major intersection.
Everyone went through it at some point and got to know the positive,
engaging police officer.
“He always loved children, and parents used to drive by his beat just
so their kids could wave to him,” according to Charles W. Haney, the
brother of retired Houston Police Officer Jim Haney. Charles wrote
about Reno in his book, “Recollections of a Texas Country Boy.”
(The Badge & Gun printed the story years ago and chose to reprint it
in Section B of this edition.)
“He never failed to return their wave and at least two generations of
Houstonians felt he was their best friend.”
One step taken by this renowned Houston police officer continues to
positively influence the lives of countless officers and literally thousands
of kids from all over Texas.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
My days since Dennis passed away are filled with being there for my
girls. They truly have been a God-sent sent for me. I continued to work
at CVS for a while after Dennis died but finally gave that up. I’ve had
some health issue to deal with in the last three years but everything
seems to be fine for now.
I still live in the same house, but am seriously thinking of moving
as the house is way too big for me. Kristen moved back home with
me almost two years ago, but will be leaving again after PT school is
finished. I need something smaller. My girls keep me busy every day
with something.
this July for some vacation time. We have a new addition to our family
since the passing of Dennis. Her name is Polly and she is a miniature
Schnauzer. She brings me such joy and is a lot of company for me on
those rare days when I’m alone.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of both of my girls, they not only take
care of themselves, but they are always there to take care of me.
Dennis, you only had a few short years with your girls, but what
you instilled in them has helped them in becoming very caring and
compassionate young ladies. You would be so very proud of them also
Right now I’m helping Ashley with her packing as she will be moving
to another apartment. All of us will be going to New York hopefully
Support PAC,
It Pays Big Returns
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
NAPO Cosponsors House
and Senate Byrne-JAG Briefings
NAPO cosponsored two Congressional staff briefings on the Byrne
Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) Program on March 19, 2014.
The Byrne-JAG Program is the federal government’s cornerstone justice
assistance grant program.
Grant funds reduce crime and victimization by supporting
innovation and data-driven approaches in policing, community
corrections, offender reentry, social services, substance abuse
treatment and behavioral health services, pretrial diversion, juvenile
delinquency prevention, anti-gang and anti-drug strategies, crime victim
services, and much more. The funding is informed by strategy planning
conducted by the states’ criminal justice planning agency and success is
measured through research and data analysis.
The following speakers provided information to House and Senate
staffers on how Byrne-JAG supports state and local criminal justice
systems and advances evidence-based practices in reducing crime and
victimization: Denise O’Donnell, Director, Department of Justice,
Bureau of Justice Assistance; Jeanne Smith, Executive Director,
Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Colorado Department of Public
Safety; Michael McCabe, Undersheriff, Office of the Sheriff, Oakland
County, Michigan; Karhlton Moore, Executive Director, Ohio Office of
Criminal Justice Services; and Mark Gwyn, Director, Tennessee Bureau
of Investigations.
Both the House and Senate briefings were very successful. We look
forward to working with members of both chambers to support this
important program.
NAPO Meeting on Capitol Hill – Senator McCain
NAPO met with a senior staffer for Senator John McCain (R-AZ) on
March 19, 2014 to discuss the following issues:
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act (JMHCA): NAPO
explained that the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction
Act (MIOTCR A) created the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration
Program (JMHCP) to help states and counties design and implement
collaborative efforts between criminal justice and mental health systems.
The JMHCA reauthorizes the successful MIOTCR A and extends the
JMHCP for five years. The JMHCP can help law enforcement agencies
across the United States in their responsibilities in assisting those, and
dealing with citizens with mental health issues.
Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Program Reauthorization
Act: NAPO explained the importance of the BVP Grant Program,
which provides federal funds to state and local law enforcement
departments to assist state and local law enforcement efforts to purchase
bullet resistant vests. NAPO continues to expend all available efforts
to garner additional cosponsors for the House and Senate versions of
this bill.
The staffer was receptive to the above proposals, and we look forward
to working with Senator McCain on these legislative priorities.
NAPO Meeting on Capitol Hill – Congressman Lance
NAPO met with Congressman Leonard Lance’s (R-NJ) staff on
March 20, 2013. In addition to discussing the JMHCA and the BVP
Grant Program, NAPO provided information on the following priorities:
Officer Sean Collier Campus Police Recognition Act: NAPO provided
background on the Officer Sean Collier Campus Police Recognition
Act, which amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of
1968 by adding campus police officers to the Department of Justice’s
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. This bill defines a “campus
police officer” as a police officer who is authorized to enforce the
criminal laws and is employed by an institution of higher education.
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Improvement and
Reauthorization Act: NAPO stressed the importance of passing this
legislation, which would reauthorize the COPS Program for five years
and raise the current hiring cap from $75,000 to $125,000. The
President’s FY 2015 Budget includes $247 million for the COPS Hiring
Program. NAPO has been advocating for the COPS Hiring Program to
be funded at a minimum of the amount requested by President Obama.
NAPO looks forward to working with Congressman Lance and his
staff on the above issues.
NAPO Accompanies Postal Police Officers Association to
Meeting with Senator Landrieu’s Staff
On March 20, 2014, NAPO accompanied the Postal Police Officers
Association (PPOA) to a meeting with Senator Mary Landrieu’s
(D-LA) staff. Senator Landrieu is a member of the Senate Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Senator Landrieu’s staff
has been working with NAPO to included language modifications to
Title 18, U.S.C., Section 3061 in the Postal Reform Act. The proposed
changes will positively impact the PPOA, provide cost savings to the
United States Government, and enhance public safety.
In Title 18, U.S.C., Section 3061, Congress prescribed law enforcement
functions for the Postal Service. These functions are to be carried out
by Postal Inspectors and uniformed police. Congress granted the Postal
Service the authority to have Postal Police Officers serve warrants and
subpoenas and conduct certain postal investigations. The Postal Service
has not yet availed itself of this authority. NAPO has been working
closely with the PPOA to clarify the language of the aforementioned
section of the United States Code to ensure Postal Police Officers are
utilized to their full capacity.
NAPO and the PPOA have focused much effort on providing
briefings on this issue to over a dozen members of Congress, and
will continue to push for our changes to be enacted.
NAPO Participates in National Law Enforcement Memorial
Fund Meeting
NAPO’s Executive Director, Bill Johnson, participated in a National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) Board Meeting
on March 20, 2014. NAPO is a founding member of the NLEOMF.
NAPO’s efforts led to the successful passage of legislation to establish
the Memorial, which is the nation’s monument to law enforcement
officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991,
the Memorial honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who
have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation
and its people.
NAPO has made the NLEOMF a top priority and we will continue
to keep our members informed of updates on the NLEOMF.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Thanks to Geo. H. Lewis
and Earthman Resthaven for their
Special Kindness Extended to the Tweedies
By TOM KENNEDY
The Houston Police Officers Union and indeed most people
throughout the Department voiced the highest praise possible for Geo.
H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors and Earthman Resthaven Cemetery
for the extensive courtesies extended the Tweedie family.
Retired HPD Officer Dana Tweedie died and his wife Linda, a current
HPD officer, critically injured on Feb. 22 after an allegedly drunk driver
hit the couple’s motorcycle.
Dana and Linda were driving along Seawall Boulevard at 7:40 p.m.
when a 19-year-old Dayton woman ran into their motorcycle as
she pulled out of a Valero parking lot at 69th Street and Seawall
Boulevard. The woman was charged with intoxication manslaughter and
intoxication assault.
The tragedy sent shock waves throughout HPD and the Houston area
law enforcement community. Linda Tweedie continues her recovery in
a Galveston hospital.
The funeral service for Dana Tweedie was held Feb. 28 with burial in
Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.
Officer Mike Newsome of HPD Family Assistance provided details
of the arrangements. He said the Tweedie family asked for Family
Assistance’s help in finding a funeral director to handle services.
“The family was given several funeral home names ranging from high to
low cost in the surrounding area,” Newsome explained.
“Geo. H. Lewis was at the top of cost but turned out to be at the top
of the list of volunteerism without being asked to. They related their
NAPO Meets with House and Senate Judiciary Committee
Members to Discuss Smarter Sentencing Act
On March 19, 2014, NAPO joined fellow stakeholders in a meeting
with staffers for House and Senate Judiciary Committee members to
discuss the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2013. The legislation relaxes
current mandatory minimum sentencing policies. NAPO is concerned
that altering mandatory minimum sentencing policies will strip law
enforcement officers of a vital tool that is used to keep citizens safe.
The changes prescribed in the Smarter Sentencing Act will negatively
impact law enforcement and public safety. Mandatory minimums are
correlated to the seriousness of the crime committed. Individuals are less
likely to commit crimes when they know they are subject to increased
sentences. The fact that the crime rate is at the lowest level seen in
decades illustrates the fact that mandatory minimums are effective.
Furthermore, law enforcement officers routinely use mandatory
minimums as leverage to encourage suspects to cooperate during
investigations. This tool has led to taking armed and dangerous
criminals off of the streets before they can do anymore harm.
Weakening mandatory minimum sentencing policies will put
dangerous criminals back on the streets, inhibit the ability of law
enforcement officers to complete their missions, and negatively impact
public safety.
concern for an officer losing his life in such a tragic manner on top of
the critical nature of Linda Tweedie’s injuries.
“They viewed this as a family tragedy touching the lives of two officers,
Linda and Dana. The day of the funeral Geo. H. Lewis provided several
staff members to give the Tweedie family ‘white glove’ service given in
a manner of respect.”
Geo H. Lewis provided cost-free services, Newsome said. Earthman
Resthaven Cemetery assisted with the burial plot in one of the best
locations, also at no cost.
Newsome said these funeral officials usually provide services for officers
killed in the line of duty at no charge. But this situation was especially
tragic and moving, prompting them to provide this special treatment for
the Tweedie family.
Earthman Resthaven is the final resting place for six HPD officers
who died in the line of duty. A large number of retired officers also are
buried there.
The Tweedie family’s statement bears repeating:
“The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the Houston
and surrounding communities for its outpouring of support during
this difficult time; to Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors and
their associates for providing funeral goods and services; and Earthman
Resthaven Cemetery for providing burial space and cemetery services.
“It is because of their generosity that all previous and subsequent
donations received will be directed solely towards Officer Linda
Tweedie’s medical expenses.”
This week, NAPO is scheduled to join fellow law
enforcement groups in meetings with key Senators to express the
above concerns. NAPO will keep our members updated on the
status of this issue.
NAPO Demands Opportunity to Comment on Officer-Worn
Body Cameras
Last week, NAPO contacted Attorney General Holder to insist that
rank-and-file members be given the same opportunity to provide input
as management groups as the DOJ works to develop guidelines for
officer-worn cameras.
Officers at thousands of law enforcement agencies are wearing body
cameras to record their interactions with the public. NAPO strongly
believes that rank-and-file officers should be involved as guidelines
and policies are developed to govern the cameras’ use. Rank-and-file
involvement will lead to more comprehensive guidelines on the cameras’
use, as the officers have a more complete understanding of how the
cameras work in the field.
NAPO will continue to demand that our members be given
an opportunity to comment on developing policies regarding
officer-worn cameras. We will keep our members updated on the
status of this initiative.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Graphic Design & Illustration
Keith Margavio
6630 Roos Road • Houston, Texas 77074
713-503-9102 • [email protected]
SERVING THE ALARM NEEDS
OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Charles Haney tells us what happened:
“Reno would scold parents who threatened their children with a
policeman if they didn’t behave. He taught children and everyone
else that a policeman was their best friend. He was a role model and
living example.
On Police Assignment
Aside from knowing the life story and HPD influence of Reno Kirby,
Demaree recalled every historical step, each one a positive experience
for scramble participants whose respect for police officers reached the
high side.
Are there former calf scramblers who now serve as HPD officers?
Demaree was asked.
Well, probably, but they haven’t been publicly identified as such.
History shows that what began as the Fat Stock Show and Rodeo
and evolved into the Livestock Show & Rodeo. The calf scramble
portion often paved the way for promising teenagers to learn all about
farming and ranching, many times resulting in scholarships for their
higher education.
Charlie Ballard ranks below Demaree. But the Badge & Gun writer
can’t tell these things, for each Posse member instructs his scramblers
and reacts to their questions as if fresh from field training.
Reno and Artie Gleghorn, another HPD officer, recognized the
potential. After all, they held jobs that dealt with the worst teens on
a daily basis. They naturally were out to help the best of those on the
Houston beat and saw how the sponsorship of one of the calves in the
calf scramble would go a long way toward accentuating the positive.
“Four years ago,” Stan Holmes of the Posse recalled, “this young boy
scrambler – he was a junior in high school – he didn’t catch. He came
up to me the next day and said, ‘What do I need to do to stay involved
with the rodeo?’
Such an action was only natural for Reno Kirby, an old cowboy, survivor
of the Great Depression and member of the famous HPD Cadet Class
No. 1 in 1939. He served as an Army sergeant during World War II and
went through the Normandy invasion. Returning to HPD after the war,
he became a police sergeant.
“I told him he should join the Junior Rodeo Committee, and I paid
the $35 membership fee. Each year he came up to me at the show. He
eventually made captain of the Junior Rodeo Committee.
To read descriptions of Reno’s positive influence on the future of
the Department brings to mind the regular practices of the 10 Posse
members. Seldom is heard a discouraging word from their mouths to
the ears of the calf scramblers every night for 20 nights.
Each Posse member is vetted for his ability to deal with kids. It’s
apparent they all love kids.
“These are good kids,” Chase Cormier, a Posse member who serves on
the Central Gang Unit and knows bad ones when he sees them. “These
are not the ones we’re used to dealing with on a daily basis.
“They keep their grades up because of the discipline they get from
their parents.”
Cormier appeared to stay focused on one small group of scramblers. So,
too, did other Posse members – each of them bonding well enough to
help these teens shore up their courage and determination.
Griffith pointed out that there is no official “command staff” among
the 10-member Posse. Each officer uses his own strengths and the
group takes turns serving as “spokesman” during the pre-scramble
informational gatherings with the 30 scramblers.
The officers easily move from one scrambler to another. Their disciplinary
tactics always seem to come across as genuine love, even if pushups are
called for because an individual or the entire group didn’t yell loud enough.
“Nobody is telling you to be quiet here,” the scramblers are told. “And
there’s no donut shop jokes about police officers!”
Like practically every policing assignments in any department in
the nation, there is seniority. Shawn Demaree is the longest serving
Scramble Posse member at 26 years working with the kids.
Demaree shared the fact that while there are hundreds of law enforcement
officers working the rodeo on extra jobs, he and the other nine Posse
members are the only ones “actually on assignment to the rodeo.”
Like all officers, they have their special “war stories.”
We are Family!
“At one point he told he me was not going to be here next year. He said
he couldn’t afford college and he was going into the Army four years.
Then his education would be paid for.
“Without a police officer’s help and some courage, he’d be a thug out
in the streets.”
The bond among the Posse members is what you’d expect from officers
who work toward the same esteem-building goals every night for three
weeks. Next to Holmes is another senior police officer, Mark Temple,
aka “Happy Face,” due to his ever-present dour expression.
But no expression can hide Temple’s goal to provoke the scramblers to
go above normal capabilities. Temple’s off-hand remarks to the entire
group drew the laughs he was aiming for, thus setting the stage for the
young men and women to pay close attention to his urgings the closer
they got to the actual scramble.
Scramblers come back year after year to say a special “hello” to Posse
members. As he left the arena after the night’s scramble, Griffith
enthusiastically waved at a young man who appeared to be about
college-aged.
Now these guys aren’t expected to remember the names of all 600
scrambles they see every year. Yet the faces are familiar and the returnees
are more apt to recognize their “family members” more readily than
Posse members put names with faces.
Although he couldn’t call her name, Griffith remembers counseling
with a girl who fell into last year’s “non-catcher” category. He looked
her square in the eyes and convinced her she was still one of the best of
the best and that she could do it.
Sure enough, this year she returned and caught a calf!
She ran up to Griff, thanked him for the encouragement that brought
her back, and asked to have her picture taken with him.
He readily obliged. After all, it’s for the kids – the good kids.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Foundation Funds Projects Totaling Half Mill
Charlene Floyd of the Houston Police Foundation recently announced
the funding of 20 special requests for programs and equipment. Floyd
said the total for all of these amounted to more than $500,000.
Here are the details:
• Total Cost: $14,112.64
•
The Digital Microphone Systems allow negotiators to listen to
communications from a safe distance. The High Rise Portable Throw
Phone Kits allow negotiators the ability to communicate privately with
a suspect while maintaining a safe distance of operation. Both devices
can be deployed quickly and safely at a special threat scene.
No. 1 - Special Operations Division (Bicycle Administration
and Training Unit)
No. 4 - Mental Health Division (Homeless Outreach Team)
•5
0 Patrol Bicycles – Cannondale Mountain Bike $1160.00, Seat Post
Bag $55.00, Police Bike Bag $55.00 and Bike Cable Lock $28.00
• Total Cost: $64,900.00
• Bicycle Administration and Training Unit provides bicycles for each
patrol division to be utilized for regular bicycle patrol, hot spots and
overtime programs. Currently they have an aging fleet of 411 bicycles,
90% of which are at or near the end of their life expectancy. The
average age is 15 years. Due to age, wear and condition, the bicycles
are in great need of replacement. The Houston Police Department
currently has 909 Bike Certified Officers. Bicycles are an effective
tool in the police department. Bicycle patrols increase interaction with
the community, reduce crime, assist with the homeless population,
and foster police-community relations. We need to ensure that we
maintain our fleet of bicycles, not just in the present, but into the
future so that we can continue to serve our community.
Some examples of Bicycle Patrol are:
• Special Operations Downtown patrol – handle Calls for service and
Civility issues, help to deter BMV’s and auto thefts, patrol along
the Bayou, Memorial Park, Hermann Park, & the downtown parks
(Discovery Green, Market Square, Tranquility Park, Sam Houston,
Allen’s Landing, Jones Plaza, James Butte), and special events. Bike
Patrol also assists with protests and demonstrations as a part of the
Special Response Group.
• Bush Intercontinental airport – Patrols the inner & outer Perimeter
of the airport (the outer perimeter consists of 84 miles of wooded
trails that need to be kept secure). Patrol the parking lots & parking
garages, as well as all of the buildings on airport property.
• Hobby Airport/Ellington Field – Have the same responsibilities as
Bush IAH, excluding the trails.
•
Homeless Outreach Team – Patrol Downtown, along the bayous,
homeless encampments, and under freeways.
•
Special events – such as the 4th of July Celebration/parades/
marathons/Moonlight Bike Ride/Tour de Houston/sporting events
(Rockets, Astros, Dynamo, All-star games, Super Bowl, etc.).
•
A ssist with Protests and demonstrations as part of SRG (Special
Response Group)
• Shopping Malls – during the holidays.
• Apartment complexes
• Hot spot patrols – in high crime areas.
• City and neighborhood parks.
• Greenbelts and trails in neighborhoods (such as Kingwood).
No. 2 - Tactical Operations Division (SWAT)
•S
WAT Uniforms – 200 Combat Pants at $168.30 each, 140 Combat
Shirts at $123.00 each, 75 Field Shirts at $116.50 each, Shipping
$370.00
• Total Cost: $59,987.50
• This brand of uniform is designed for high performance wear and
is currently being used by all the Tier 1 SWAT and Special Forces
units. The Houston Office FBI SWAT has been using this uniform
for a while and highly recommends it for our type of work in the
Houston area. The light weight durable uniforms are noted for their
outstanding wicking properties in warmer, humid climates, which
is advantageous in mitigating officer fatigue during long periods of
wearing heavy tactical gear.
No. 3 - Tactical Operations Division (HNT)
•D
igital Microphone System - 4 at $2,895.00 each, Shipping $145.00,
Total: 11,725.00 and High Rise Portable Throw Phone Kit – 4 at
$596.91, Total: $2,387.64
•
•
•
•
Kawasaki Mule and Trailer
1 Mule at $12,300.00, 1 Trailer at $977.28, 1 light bar at $977.28
Total Cost: $14,822.28
The mission of the Homeless Outreach Team is to connect the
homeless population to needed services to get them off of the
streets. Requests for assistance with homeless issues are received on
a daily basis and response has been hindered by a lack of proper
transportation and equipment. This utility vehicle will assist the
Homeless Outreach Team in accessing homeless camps throughout
the city that are located in remote areas and that are inaccessible to
conventional police vehicles and bicycles, which include camps located
under bridges and in densely wooded areas.
No. 5 - Investigative First Responder Division (Warrant
Execution Team)
• Heavy Entry Vests and Ballistic Helmets
• 6 Titan Assault Enhanced IIIA Vests with Protective Attachments
and Identification at $4072.00 each – Total $24,432.00 and 6 Delta
4 Helmets at $482.00 each – Total $2,892.00
• Total Cost: $27,324.00
• The Investigative First Responder Division is requesting the Heavy
Entry Vests and Ballistic Helmets to utilize during warrant executions.
The IFR Warrant Execution Team executed a total of 1523 warrants
and placed 1279 suspects in jail between 12/1/12 and 11/30/13. A
gross majority of the warrants, 967, were felony warrants. The heavy
entry vests and ballistic helmets will provide enhanced safety during
warrant execution attempts. The vests and helmets will remain with
the unit so that all officers will be afforded this protection for years to
come as turnover occurs within the unit.
No. 6 - Vice Division
•
•
•
•
IFAK Tactical Medical Kits
Amount Requested: 52 at $132.98 each, Shipping $75.00
Vice officers perform high risk undercover actions, warrant executions
and police raids. Due to the unpredictable and often violent nature
of offenders encountered by the Vice officers, the availability of a
Tactical Medical Kit is critically important in the event of an officer’s
life threatening injury.
No. 7 - Traffic Enforcement Division (DWI Task Force)
•
•
•
•
DRE Camera Kits
Amount Requested: 11 at $1,128.92
DRE Camera Kit will include a Canon Rebel t4i Camera, memory
card, carrying case, and tripod. This equipment would assist the DWI
Task Force in conducting detailed DWI related fatality crashes and to
better document evidence of impairment for arrest and prosecution.
Follow-up at hospitals, photos of suspects – injection/needle marks,
pupils dilated/constricted, video of blood draws at hospital, suspect
injuries – any follow-up by DRE not done at initial investigation.
No. 8 - Traffic Enforcement (SOLO)
•S
ETCOM Motorcycle Wireless Push-to-Talk Cable Kits (includes
Helmet Kits, Wireless Super Mics, Cable Kits)
• Amount Requested: 46 kits at $1,343.00 plus shipping $525.00
• Total Cost: $62,303.00
•
This wireless system consists of two wireless speaker headset/
microphone mounted inside of the helmet with a handlebar
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
transmitter. This allows the motorcycle officer to better hear the
dispatcher on the freeway and transmit the radio without taking his
hands off of the handlebar grips, increasing officer safety.
No. 9 - Traffic Enforcement (SOLO)
• Backlit Keypad Controller with Pedestal Mount for Message Board
• A mount Requested: 2 Keypad Controllers and Pedestal Mounts at
$953.00 plus shipping $10.00
• Total Cost: $1,916.00
• The message board is used to warn citizens of major accidents or closures
on freeways and to use caution. The Keypad Controller currently in
possession of SOLOs is broken and is in need of replacement.
•
•
•
•
•
52 Vice - $11,505.00
10 Juvenile Sex Offender Registration Unit - $2,212.50
8 Westside DGU - $1770.00
50 Additional Vests for Reserve - $11,062.50
No. 18 - North Division (Radar Unit)
•
•
•
•
No. 10 - Traffic Enforcement Division (SOLO)
•M
essage Board – Solar Powered – Changeable Message Sign – 3 lines
of 10” high text
• Total: $11,584.50
Kustom Brand Directional Golden Eagle II Radar
3 at $2,329.42 each (shipping and handling $34.00 each)
Total Cost: $7.090.26
Speeding is a contributing factor in many vehicle accidents and
fatalities on the city’s freeway system and roadways. It is the goal of
the North Division to reduce the risk of civilian injury as a result
of vehicular accidents caused by excessive speed. This particular
equipment can be used while in motion, (same direction and
oncoming), as opposed to being stationary on the side of the road,
then entering moving lanes of traffic, which could lead to accidents
involving both officers and civilian motorists.
No. 11 - Westside Division (Divisional Tactical / Gang Unit) No. 19 - Traffic Enforcement (SOLO, DWI, Radar Task
• EOS Rebel T3i EF-S Camera with additional lens - $1,449.98 + $5.00 Force)
Shipping
• Total: $1,454.98
• The divisional gang and tactical units investigate street crimes as well
as long term investigations involving gang members and organized
criminal activity. A digital camera with image stabilization with a
regular and long-range lens is needed for both evidentiary photos and
surveillance photos.
• 5 Sony Digital Voice Recorders - $69.00 each
• Total: $345.00
• Digital audio recorders are needed for interviews with complainant
and suspects.
• 16 Steiner 10x50mm Police Binoculars at $399.99 each
• Total: $2,399.94
• Quality auto-focus binoculars are needed during rolling surveillance
or burglars and other suspected criminals.
No. 12-17 – Tactical Vests - $221.25 each
• 7 - Special Operation Division DTU – $1,548.75
•
•
•
•
Stalker Lidar LXR Lasers
Amount Requested: 20 Lasers at $2,100.00 plus shipping $300.00
The current handheld radar guns used for traffic enforcement have a
lifespan of 10 years which has now been exceeded. The Stalker Lidar
LXR Lasers are lighter, and have a longer range than the model
currently being used.
No. 20 – Vehicular Crimes Division
•
•
•
•
Leica Scan Station
Amount Requested: $150,690.75
Total: $150,690.75
The 3D laser scanning system permits the collection of a complete
record of a scene, which measures not only the subjectivity selected
“important” points, but every point at a scene within the view of the
scanner. Proven to be a very powerful tool in court the Leica Scan
Station will reduce the time spent on roadways taking measurements
and it will preserve the scene as it was found by the investigators.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Check out the
new HPOU website
at hpou.org
How Impatience Hurts Retirement Saving
Keep Calm & Carry On –
it May be Good for your portfolio.
Provided by Brian Craft, AIF
Why do so many retirement savers underperform the market? From
1993-2012, the S&P 500 achieved
a (compound) annual return of
8.2%. Across the same period, the
average investor in U.S. stock
funds got only a 4.3% return. What
accounts for the difference? One big
factor is impatience. It is expressed in
emotional investment decisions. Too
many people trade themselves into
mediocrity – they react to the headlines of the moment, buy high and
sell low. Dalbar, the noted investing
research firm, estimates this accounts
for 2.0% of the above-mentioned 3.9%
difference. (It attributes another 1.3% of the gap to mutual fund operating costs and the remaining 0.6% to portfolio turnover within funds.)
Impatience encourages market timing. Some investors consider “buy
and hold” passé, but it has certainly worked well since 2009. How
did market timing work in comparison? Citing Investment Company
Institute calculations of equity fund asset inflows and outflows from
January 2007 to August 2012, U.S. News & World Report notes that
it didn’t work very well. During that stretch, mutual fund investors
either sold market declines or bought after market ascents 57.4% of the
time. In addition, while the total return of the S&P 500 (i.e., including
dividends) was -0.13% in this time frame, equity mutual fund investors lost 35.8% (adjusted for dividends). Most of us don’t “buy and
hold” for very long. Dalbar’s latest report notes that the average equity
fund investor owned his or her shares for 3.3 years during 1993-2012.
Investors in balanced funds (a mix of stocks and bonds), held on a bit
longer, an average of about 4.5 years. They didn’t come out any better – the report notes that while the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index
notched a 6.3% annual return over the 20-year period studied, the
average balanced fund investor’s annual return was only 2.3% . What’s
the takeaway here for retirement savers? This amounts to a decent
argument for dollar cost averaging – the slow and steady investment
method by which you buy shares over time, a little at a time. When the
market sinks, you are buying more shares as they have become cheaper
– meaning you will own more (quality) shares when they regain value.
It also shows you the value of thinking long-term. When you save for
retirement, you are saving with a time horizon in mind. A distant
horizon. Consistent saving from a (relatively) early age and the power of
compounding can potentially have much greater effect on the outcome
of your retirement savings effort than investment selection.
Keep your eyes on your long-term retirement planning objectives, not
the short-term volatility highlighted in the headlines of the moment.
PSFG representatives, your HPOU Deferred Comp Provider, may be
reached at 832-200-3440
Investing regular amounts steadily over time (dollar-cost averaging)
may lower your average per-share cost. Periodic investment programs
cannot guarantee profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
Dollar-cost averaging is a long-term strategy involving continuous
investing, regardless of fluctuating price levels, and, as a result, you
should consider your financial ability to continue to invest during
periods of fluctuating price levels.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Reno Kirby Impacted ‘the Rice Corner’
and Many Other People, Places, Events
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles W. Haney is the brother of retired Houston
Police Officer Jim Haney. The Badge and Gun reprints this edited section
of his book, “Recollections of a Texas Country Boy” with the permission of
Charles W. Haney and Breck Porter.)
By CHARLES W. HANEY
The year was 1913. In January, Woodrow Wilson had been inaugurated
as the 28th president of the United States and Oscar B. Colquitt was
sworn in as governor of Texas. The United States blockaded Mexico in
support of one of the revolutions which seemed to be forever ongoing
in that country.
Before the year ended, in what represented a major reform of U. S.
banking the Federal Reserve System came into being. Storm clouds
were gathering in Europe and in fewer than four years the United States
would be involved in World War I, The War to End All Wars.
become one of his strongest characteristics, he took it all in stride. From
an early age he appeared to have his own agenda and so it was to be for
the next 80-plus years.
Geronimo, the famed Mescalero Apache Indian chief had finally
surrendered on Sept. 4, 1886. But the Apache Kid and other renegade
members of the tribe continued to run rampant in Arizona for many
years afterward. It was reported thought that when the remaining
Indians learned of Reno Kirby’s birth on that August day they promptly
left the state and never came back.
Reno would go on to brighten the lives not only of his family, but also
of all whom came to know him throughout his life. From the onset it
appeared foreordained he would be a leader, and leave his well-defined
mark on whatever he touched, wherever he went.
Born fun-loving and with a wonderful sense of humor, he was forever
ready for good, clean gaiety, or jokes. He enjoyed a happy childhood
with an abundance of love which was always readily applied in proper
amounts to whatever spot needed it most at any given time. Assigned
chores when he became old enough, he was taught responsibility and to
respect himself and all others, particularly his elders.
After the loss of his father, circumstances dictated that the close-knit
family move frequently in order to stay together. His mother cared for
the four children as best she could and they lived in small towns and
large cities throughout his youth. This may have been an inconvenience
and hardship for his mother, but at the same time it afforded Reno the
opportunity to gain a deep knowledge about life than he could have
otherwise. This stood him in good stead all throughout his life and
especially his career in law enforcement.
Along the trail preparing him for what lay ahead, Reno worked as a
cowboy around Paradise, Arizona. One of his fondest memories of this
days is, after roundups, driving cattle from a Cochise County ranch over
into New Mexico to shipping pens near the town of Rodea.
Later, he and his younger brother worked on a large ranch in Coleman
County, Texas. Reno remembers that one of their chores there was to
build fences with native cedar posts when that part of Texas was just
becoming fenced-in with barbed wire.
A People Person
That’s Sgt. Reno Kirby standing tall behind Livestock & Rodeo performers Roy Rogers
and Dale Evans. With Reno are two other representatives of what was then known as the
Houston Police Officers Association. The young man to Reno’s right was undoubtedly a
calf catcher in that year’s Calf Scramble. The year was sometime in the 1950s.
But something far more important than any of the above took place
that year. History was in the making in Arizona, which had come into
the Union in 1912. Although somewhat tamed, the new state was still
a wild and wooly country when Tuesday, Aug. 28, 1913, broke bright
and clear over the Dragoon Mountains east of the little settlement
of Tombstone.
A Natural Leader
Yet the newborn youngster was reported to have been totally
unimpressed with any of the foregoing and, demonstrating what was to
Even as he was growing up, seemingly preparatory for what was yet to
come, Reno displayed his ingenious ability for getting along with people
and handling those in his charge with the least amount of difficulty. His
special brand of psychology was effectively tailored to each situation and
was applied as needed.
Reno graduated from high school in Dallas during the years of the
so-called Great Depression. He came to Houston as a permanent
resident in 1934 and had a wide variety of jobs during those days of
high unemployment. He did construction work, worked in an ice cream
parlor and with manufacturers of oil field tools and equipment. His
goal at that time was to learn all about oil field tools so that he could
become a salesman of those products. When circumstances defeated his
hopes for his oil field sales goals he went to work for Schott’s Bakery on
Washington Avenue in Houston in August 1938.
Continues on Page 2B
Page 1B Badge & Gun • April 2014
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Continues from Page 1B
About this time he decided to apply for a job with the Houston Police
or Fire Departments so he would have steady permanent work. After
completing his application and scoring well on the written and physical
examinations, he waited for nine long months before hearing anything.
In the meantime, he lived in an old house next to the bakery, which
belonged to the Herbert Schott family. He cooked and cleaned for
his keep.
65 or 70 of those trainees became police officers.
Reno is all man and has been all of his life. But he has always been
a gentleman too. He was brought up that way. As a young man he
was also a cowboy on ranches in West Texas. Even thought the large
majority are good fellows, living out on the range cowboys tend to
sometimes engage in friendly “horseplay” and get a little wild and wooly.
So here’s a little side note he related to me when we were swapping yarns
one time about some notable horseplay. He has no doubt told very few
people and may have even forgotten it himself.
While he was in the police academy he was still living in the old house
on Washington Avenue which belonged to the Schott family. Evidently
he was sharing the living quarters with at least one other police trainee
at the time.
Pistol training and marksmanship were included in the curriculum at
the academy. With their sense of humor and love of fun they engaged in
a little mischief and barely missed getting into trouble over, of all things,
some common houseflies.
It seemed that the flies kept getting into the house somehow and Reno
and his friend finally tired of trying unsuccessfully to keep them out.
So as they lay on their beds one day, the idea occurred to them that the
best way to rid themselves of the pesky flies was to shoot them off the
ceiling with their pistols.
They did. And they almost got in hot water over it.
This historic photo from the archives of the Badge & Gun depicts a young man who
captured the calf sponsored by the then-Houston Police Officers Association. The
catcher returned the following year (probably in the 1950s or early 1960s) to score
high in the steer judging contest.
The first available openings were in the Houston Police Department.
As Reno remembered it, there were 25 openings there and Mayor Oscar
Holcombe had a plan for a special training class which he believed would
produce better police officers. The mayor wanted to add 50 men to the
police force out of that training program.
Frank Mann, later a City Council member, was Houston’s fire
commissioner at that time. He agreed to 50 positions going to the police
department if the fire department could get a commensurate increase in
personnel at a later date.
Accordingly, on June 12, 1939, Reno Kirby and 75 other young men
entered the first police training academy in the south. “There was
supposed to be a total of only 75 of us,” Reno says, “but one guy
sneaked in and took the training with us.”
As Reno remembered it, Mayor Holcombe’s idea was for policemen to
be trained to fully comprehend and appreciate the responsibility of the
job and how to properly use the authority that went with it.
It was Class No. 1 in the Houston Police Academy, but World War II
came along and wiped out the original number sequence. So what is
now known officially as Class No. 1 didn’t happen until after the war
and is really Class No. 2. “But we were the first!” Reno proudly stated.
Guns and Flies
Out of that training class of 76, 50 men went on the force after six weeks
of intensive training under office L. D. Morrison, who later became
Chief of Police. “He was a fine man and a good teacher,” Reno says,
“and I owe him a lot.”
As was characteristic of him, Reno worked hard in the training academy
and graduated third in his class (tied with two others). Ultimately about
In those days discipline was strong. Officers lined up in front of the old
police station located at Caroline and Preston Streets for daily inspection
before going on duty. Reno said that “spit and polish” was the order of
the day. The officers were then marched in military formation to their
posts, each dropping out when he reached his beat.
The Rice Corner
Reno, a handsome well-proportioned man in superb physical
condition, with a smile a mile-wide for everyone, was in every respect a
fine specimen of a police officer. He measured about 6-foot-5 without
his high-heeled western-style boots and weighed around 235 pounds.
After graduating from the academy he began his police duties working
traffic at Main Street and Texas Avenue – the Rice Hotel corner, then
the center of the Downtown Business District. (The Rice was the city’s
first 1,000-room hostelry.)
Over the years he became a familiar figure there - a virtual Houston
landmark. When he was promoted to sergeant in the Patrol Division
and had to leave this post, no matter how fine the officers were who
succeeded him there, none of them seemed to “belong” as Reno had.
He left a huge void and the corner was never the same.
In those days almost everyone who lived in Houston passed through
this intersection sooner or later, and Reno made a horde of friends and
became well-known to most Houstonians. People who had never been
near enough to shake his hand would pass and shout, “Hey, Reno,” and
he’d shout back and wave. He always loved children, and parents used
to drive by his beat just so their kids could wave to him. He never failed
to return their wave and at least two generations of Houstonians felt he
was their best friend.
He’d scold parents who threatened their children with a policeman
if they didn’t behave. He taught children and everyone else that a
policeman was their best friend. He was a role model and living example.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Each year for decades Houston has had a Fat Stock Show and Rodeo.
Each night of the rodeo, which ran for about 10 nights, one of the
features is a “calf-scramble.” A number of calves are turned into the
main arena and FFA and 4-H kids with animals on exhibit are eligible
to “scramble” and try to catch one of the loose calves.
In order to win a calf the kid must put a rope on it and get it back across
a finish line. As long as he was still working, Reno and Artie Gleghorn,
another officer who I personally knew quite well, sponsored one of the
calves at the “calf-scramble” in Houston.
Helped Many People
Reno spent 15 years on the Rice corner with time out for military
service during World War II. Several times over the years, Houston’s
largest newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, featured Reno on the front
page of its Sunday rotogravure, full-color magazine section. One of the
photographs was taken at ground-level and made him look like the giant
he was. It had blazing headlines above it proclaiming, “He’s King at
Main and Texas.”
In 1942, during World War II, Reno was a technical sergeant in charge
of the Identification Office under the direction of the Base Provost
Marshal at Ellington Field, a part of the U. S. Army Air Corps.
Reno was ultimately transferred to the 1577th Trucking Battalion, a
part of the 115th Infantry, 29th Division. His unit was part of the
Normandy invasion in June 1944 and was in the thick of the battles.
Trucks under Reno’s supervision took live ammunition to the foot
soldiers at the front. If there had been a direct hit on just one of his
trucks, he would have been history.
In addition to all the other hazardous responsibilities he had while
under severe fire, Reno saved the lives of two officers and two enlisted
men during the Normandy landing. For these heroic acts he was
awarded the Bronze Star, a medal given for outstanding bravery.
Typically, he had to be prodded to furnish this information. Even then
he made light of it and said he thought he really received it for being the
“scaredest” soldier there.
No one who has known him could be persuaded that he has even been
scared of anything in his entire life! His outfit was later put into Patton’s
Third Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge.
His discharge was delayed when his organization was assigned to the
Army of Occupation and he wasn’t released until March 1946. Here was
one of the men who had been called into the service under the original
“draft for a year” act in October 1940 and spent five and a half years
in the service. He was discharged as a senior master sergeant, only six
ranks below a general.
When he returned to HPD, by the popular demand of the people of
Houston, Reno was returned to his beat at Main and Texas, the Rice
Hotel location, and stayed there until he was promoted to sergeant on,
as Reno puts it, “April Fools Day,” (April 1, 1955).
He’ll tell you seriously, thought, that his primary objective as a police
officer was always to be helpful to people. He also said, “If you can keep
your beat clean you have fewer arrests to make.”
He helped all worthy persons who honestly needed help, but “Woe be
un-to the thugs and outlaws who thought they could hang around his
beat and prey off of decent and defenseless persons.” Of the outlaws who
got a dose of Reno’s medicine, none ever showed up for more!
Many people who grew up in Houston credit Reno with helping to keep
them on the straight and narrow, which resulted in their lives being far
richer and more worthwhile and productive than they otherwise might
have been.
Genuine to the Core
Reno has probably long since forgotten about these things. But those
he positively influenced have not. His kind and caring help still stands
out vividly in their minds. Their problems were the largest and most
important things in their lives at that particular time and he showed
them the way out. More than one living in Houston today would be
quick to confirm this.
Reno has always been outstanding in even the most distinguished
company. He was destined to be an exceptional police officer. Without
question, however, he would have been outstanding in whatever he
chose to do. His very make-up, personality, and charisma, bolstered
by an abundance of personal magnetism and good common sense
assured this.
As with so many who greatly serve their fellow human beings, Reno
never saw anything extraordinary about himself, a truly remarkable
characteristic. To the contrary, he always had both feet planted firmly
on the ground, is totally unpretentious and genuine to the core. He
was invariably matter-of-fact and natural in all that he did. He was the
epitome of the maxim, “What you see is what you get.”
Everything Reno has done throughout his life was in the fullest spirit
of being all he could with what the Lord provided him. This was an
enviable accomplishment.
He was truly a class act and indeed a legend in his own time.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
HPOU,
Thank you so much for the plant you sent. It was very thoughtful of you.
Houston Police Officers Union,
Thank you so much for sending flowers for Sam’s dad. This is a
The Oxford Family difficult time for us and your beautiful plant lifted our spirits. Your
To the Houston Police Officers Union,
I want to thank you very much for the lovely plant you had delivered
to Mondie.
More important, I appreciate your support and expressions of sympathy
in our time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Wilfred Navarro Jr. and Family
HPOU,
Appreciation is an understatement when it comes to the gratitude we
have in our hearts for what you have done.
Whether it was cards, gifts, food, calls or your presence, we are eternally
in humble gratitude for it.
As always, thank you for keeping Mrs. Clarece Selders rooted in your
hearts, as she will remain in ours.
thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Sam Piccolo and Family
Dear HPOU,
Thank you for your support and donation to my basketball team. Your
donation purchased training equipment.
Sincerely,
Lana
Houston Police Officers Union,
Thank you so much for the lovely plant. As a family filled with peace
officers, our extended family of blue has been very supportive during
our time of loss.
Thank you for the thoughts and prayers.
C. R. “Richard” Johnson’s Family
HPOU,
God bless, Thank you for being so thoughtful.
The Family of Mrs. Clarece Selders
The Vassel Family
Senior Police Officer Mary Young was selected to represent the City of Houston at the
45th Annual NAACP Image Awards show in Los Angeles, California. Officer Young was
nominated because of her involvement in the community and the image she displays as
a mentor, educator, friend and mother. The show took place on Feb. 22. Mary walked
the red carpet alongside celebrities and entertainers with one notable of all – Oprah
Winfrey. “The experience was incredible and I had the time of my life,” Young said.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Lest We Forget
By NELSON ZOCH
May 23, 1998
Sgt. Kent Kinkaid Shot Suddenly after Confronting
Young Men in Truck over ‘Rock’ hitting Windshield
Kent D. Kinkaid was born on August 17, 1957
in Phillipsburg, Kansas. After high school, Kent
attended Fort Hays State University in Hays,
Kansas. He also served on the Wichita, Kansas
Police Department for four and a half years.
He joined the Houston Police Department in
Police Cadet Class No. 121 on May 29, 1984.
He took his oath of office on September 28,
1984, proudly wearing badge No. 2251. His
first assignment was to the North Shepherd
Patrol Division.
attention possible, Kent Kinkaid passed away at
3:18 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 1998. He was only
forty years of age.
HPD Homicide Sergeants John Swaim and
Carless Elliott came from home to conduct
the scene investigation along with HCSO
Detectives Bob Black, Roger Wedgeworth,
Bill Valerio, W. A. Taber and Mark Schmidt.
HCSO Crime Scene Unit Officer K. L. Culver
was assisted by HPD CSU Officers C. D.
Duncan and J. A. Ogden.
After serving his mandatory tour of duty in the
Jail Division, he returned to North Shepherd. In
1986, he transferred to the Special Operations
Division. Upon being promoted to sergeant in
1988, his first assignment was the Dispatcher’s
Division. From there, he returned to Special
Operations and then transferred to the night
shift at Westside Patrol Command.
On Friday night, May 22, 1998, Sergeant
Kinkaid was off duty. At approximately 11 p.m.
he and his wife Nancy Kincaid left their home
in the Copperfield area of west Harris County.
They were in their family vehicle, a Jeep
Cherokee, and were en route to meet friends
at a nearby restaurant. Sergeant Kinkaid was
driving in his neighborhood when an unknown
object struck the Jeep’s front windshield. Kent
and Nancy believed this unknown object had
just been thrown from a pickup truck coming
toward them.
Sergeant Kinkaid immediately turned around
and followed this vehicle for fourteen blocks,
at which time this truck turned around and
headed back toward the Jeep. Kinkaid got
out of his vehicle as the truck pulled up
alongside him. He confronted the driver of
the truck about the object that had struck his
vehicle, asking the driver for identification and
telling him that he was a police officer. He was
reaching for his wallet to obtain his Police ID
when Mrs. Kinkaid saw an arm come out of
the driver’s side window of the truck. She saw
a flash and heard a gunshot that caused her
husband to fall to the pavement as the truck
fled the scene.
This offense occurred in the jurisdiction of
the Harris County Sheriff’s Department in the
unincorporated section of the county. Quickly,
the LifeFlight Helicoptor transported the
wounded sergeant to Hermann Hospital. He
was shot once in the left eye. Given all medical
own. Homicide Lieutenant Willie W. Holt and
the Homicide commander, Captain Richard
Holland, both made the scene of this offense.
Captain Holland spoke with HCSO Homicide
Captain Dick Henderson and the two agreed
to a joint investigation. Since this happened
on a Friday night, the weekend squad was on
duty. Homicide Lieutenant Greg Neely came
on duty immediately to assist HCSO Homicide
investigators.
Officer Kent D. Kinkaid
Sergeant Kinkaid was survived by his
wife Nancy Kincaid and two daughters,
ten-year-old Jena Lee Kincaid and six-year-old
Courtney Deanne Kincaid. Also mourning his
sudden death were his mother, Mrs. Myrna
Kinkaid, and one sister, Mrs. Kathy Conway,
as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald
Kinkaid, in 1988.
Funeral services were under the direction of
Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest
Drive in Klein. Visitation was held from 2
p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday, May 25. Visitation
continued from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday,
May 26 at the Bear Creek United Methodist
Church. Services were held at 3 p.m. that
day. Burial followed in Stockton, Kansas, on
Thursday, May 28.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Department had
legal jurisdiction over this offense. The sheriff
immediately extended professional courtesy to
the Houston Police Department due to the fact
that the offense involved the death of one of its
The physical evidence at the scene consisted of
a small pool of blood and one .25 caliber hull
found on the driver’s side floorboard of the
Kinkaid Jeep. Upon learning Mrs. Kinkaid’s
story, the investigators backtracked to an
area fourteen blocks away where she recalled
hearing the unknown object strike their vehicle.
These veteran investigators examined the Jeep’s
windshield more closely, causing them to
believe that the object could have been an
angled bullet strike. Miraculously, another
.25-caliber hull was found in the street. The
two were of the same brand. However, Mrs.
Kinkaid could only describe the vehicle as an
unknown dark-colored pickup truck with a
chrome strip across the tailgate. The officers
doubted that Mrs. Kinkaid could identify
anyone in the truck.
HPD Sergeant C. E. Jackson lived in
the area of this offense. With a teen-age
stepson, he had experienced over several years a
number of harassing and mischievous incidents
involving his property. He learned the
identity of a young man who he felt was involved
in these incidents, most of which he had
reported to HCSO. Just days before Kinkaid’s
murder, Sergeant Jackson had recovered a
.25-caliber hull from the street in front of his
house after the window of his vehicle had been
shot out. Jackson called Homicide Sergeant
Wayne Wendel, who had been called in to assist
in this investigation along with his partner,
Officer Fred Hale.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
At the first look at this information, Sergeant Wendel probably thought
it was too good to be true. Firearms Examiners Robert Baldwin and
Kim Downs examined this hull with the previously recovered pair. They
were a match in brand and, more importantly, all three had been fired
from the same weapon.
Sergeant Jackson had named the young man he felt had been causing
him these problems. Investigators further found that an attempted
robbery offense had occurred in the same area the same night as Kinkaid
was killed. They obtained a Texas drivers license photo on an emergency
basis and used this photo in a photo spread. The robbery complainant
immediately identified this suspect, Timothy Wayne “Timmy” Reese
(White Male, 17). As a result of this identification, Sergeant Swaim
and HCSO Detectives obtained a felony arrest warrant on the robbery
case. At this point, the Homicide investigators didn’t know if Reese had
partners in crime.
Officers then undertook a carefully planned surveillance of Reese’
residence. By late Saturday night, they had the plan in place. A vehicle
drove to Reese’s residence early in the hours of Sunday morning, May
24, 1998, with its occupant speaking to someone there before leaving
the area. Officers stopped this vehicle on several traffic violations. Reese
was in the vehicle along with a previously unknown subject, Anthony
Cardell Haynes (African-American Male, 19).
The officers took Reese and Haynes to HCSO Homicide headquarters,
where Sergeant Swaim began a lengthy interview with Timmy Reese,
while Homicide Investigator Todd Miller questioned Haynes. Reese
implicated Haynes as the shooter. He said he and a young man named
Michael Tunson were just along for the ride. Haynes admitted to the
shooting and before the night was over, took a joyous group of HPD
and HCSO detectives on a ride which led to the weapon and the clip
being recovered from two locations many miles apart.
One of the key elements to this offense was whether Haynes knew
that Sergeant Kinkaid was a police officer. Early on, Mrs. Kinkaid was
adamant in that she heard her husband identify himself verbally to the
driver of the pickup as a police officer. As a result, capital murder charges
were filed against Anthony Haynes. Timothy Wayne Reese was charged
with aggravated robbery in another unrelated offense. Both of these
suspects implicated a juvenile also as having been with them on this
night. Officers picked him up and he admitted to being at the scene.
Authorities filed on him in Juvenile Court and later certified him as a
sixteen-year-old adult.
The capital murder trial was held in Judge Jim Wallace’ 263rd Criminal
District Court. Veteran prosecutors Mark Vinson and Don Smyth
represented the State of Texas, for Sergeant Kent Kinkaid. Jurors found
Anthony Cardell Haynes guilty and on September 24, 1999, after three
days of deliberations, sentenced him to death by lethal injection. As a
matter of course, he is on death row while the appeals process winds its
lengthy course. His first appeal was rejected in 2001.
Timothy Wayne Reese testified for the state in Haynes’ trial and, over
a period of time, was charged with an unrelated assault for which he
received ninety days in jail. The juvenile certified as an adult, Michael
Tunson (Turner), (White Male, 17) was given three years in TDCJ in
1999 for a robbery charge.
Life must go on and for a young widow with two daughters. And, Mrs.
Nancy Kinkaid has remained strong for her family. In 2012, Nancy
is very active in COPS, Concerns of Police Survivors. She is currently
Vice-President of the Houston Chapter of that very fine organization.
Jena, now 24 years old, has graduated from the University of Texas in
Austin and is a Special Education teacher in Leander, Texas, northwest
of Austin. Courtney, now 20 years old, is a student at UT-Austin.
Sergeant Kincaid’s Mother lives in Stockton, Kansas, and his sister
resides in nearby Hayes, Kansas.
DON’T GET CAUGHT
without an ad in the
BADGE
&GUN
Call Celest at (832) 541-1463
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Obituaries
Alvarado
Goodson
Laura Michelle Alvarado passed away on March 16. She is the Mrs. Johnnye Goodson passed away on March 15. She is the
daughter of Senior Police Officer Enrique Alvarado (DCO). surviving spouse of Police Officer Bobby E. Goodson, who passed
Services were held March 22 with burial in Hollywood Cemetery. away June 2010. Services were held March 19 with burial in
Goodson Cemetery in Pinehurst.
Butler
Retired Lt. Leo V. Butler passed away on March 20. He joined
the department on May 6, 1974. During his career, he served at
the Park Police and the Special Operations Division and retired
on Jan. 1, 2004, while last assigned to the Tactical Operations
Division. He is survived by his wife, Maria E. Guerra. Services
were held March 24 with burial in Forest Park Lawndale.
Choice
Gray
Patti Gray passed away March 1. She is the wife of retired Sgt.
Robert J. Gray, who retired from the Department, March 17,
1989. He was last assigned to the Auto Theft Division. Robert and
Patti were married for over 27 years.
Haynes
Willie Mae Haynes passed away March 8. She is the grandmother
Mr. Rayfus Choice passed away on March 12. He is the father of of Senior Police Officer Denattos L. Haynes, assigned to the North
Police Officer Geraldine Choice, assigned to the South Gessner Division, and Jail Attendant Shaquanna D. Chachere. Services
were held March 21 with burial in Paradise North Cemetery.
Division. Services were held March 22 in Tyler.
Christian
Mrs. Kay F. Christan passed away on March 8. She is the mother
of retired Senior Police Officer Gregory D. Thompson, who
retired Feb. 16, 2013. Services were held March 8 with burial in
Houston Memorial Gardens.
Cisneroz
Head
Retired Word Processor Sharon E. Head passed away March 14.
She joined the department on Dec. 3, 1991, and retired on Aug.
1, 2009. She was last assigned to the Training Academy. Sharon is
survived by her husband, Billy Head. A private memorial service
was planned.
John Cisneroz passed away March 1. He is the father of Police Holmes
Officer Jason J. Cisneroz, assigned to Eastside. Services were held Retired Lt. James Wendell Holmes, Sr. passed away on March 10.
March 7 with burial in Hollywood Cemetery.
He joined Police Academy Class No. 55 on June 12, 1972. He
was preceded in death by his father, Sgt. Ira Wendell Holmes, who
retired in 1987. During his career he served within the Central
Gabler
Quinton A. Gabler (72) passed away March 2. He is the father Division, Public Integrity Division, Narcotics Division, Northeast
of Senior Police Officer Thomas Q. Gabler, assigned to Midwest. Division, Northwest Division, Burglary and Theft Division and
the Personnel Division. He retired on March 27, 1998, while
Services were held March 8.
assigned to the Northeast Division. He is survived by his wife,
Veronica Holmes and children, Melissa Kay Lowder, Jamie Renee
Gomez
Maria Gomez passed away Feb. 28. She is the mother of Senior Shelly, James Wendell Holmes, Jr. and Dana Michelle Holmes.
Police Officer Orlando Gomez, assigned to the Burglary and Theft Services were held March 15.
Division. Services were held March 4.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Huynh
Retired Mechanic III Xuan P. Huynh passed away on March 14.
He joined the department on July 26, 1979, and retired after serving over 22 years on June 27, 2002. He is the uncle of Mechanic I
Steven Wong, assigned to the Fleet Management Division. Services
were held March 17.
Jasso
Ryan
Obituaries
Retired Senior Word Processor, Mrs. Kit R. Ryan passed away on
March 17. She joined the department on Feb. 7, 1989 and retired
on June 1, 2006. She was last assigned to the Employee Services
Division. Kit is survived by her husband, Curtis E. Ryan and son,
former Data Entry Operator John Ryan. Services were held March
22 with burial in Leander.
Mrs. Maria Elena Jasso passed away on March 8. She is the Tessier
grandmother of Sgt. Alberto Elizondo, assigned to the Midwest Doris Tessier passed away on March 13. She is the surviving spouse
Division. Services were held March 14.
of retired Sgt. Eddy Tessier, who passed away, Dec. 4, 1985, and
the mother of retired Sgt. Robert E. Tessier, who retired from the
Department July 7, 1985. Services were held March 17 with burial
Jones
Mr. Arthur Jones passed away on Feb. 25. He is the father of in Forest Park Lawndale.
Police Officer LaFonda Y. Jones, assigned to the Identification
Division. A private service was held.
Uresti
Retired Sgt. Eli F. Uresti passed away on March 1. Sgt. Uresti
joined the Department Oct. 21, 1963 as a member of Academy
Kyle
Jean Evelyn Kyle passed away on Feb. 27. She is the mother-in-law Class No. 29 and was promoted to the rank of detective on Oct.
of retired Sgt. Larry E. Thomas, who retired from the Department 13, 1973. During his career he was assigned to Central, Jail,
Dec. 21, 2013. He was last assigned to the South Gessner Division. Training Academy, Homicide, Internal Affairs and Auto Theft and
Services were held March 8 with burial in Houston National retired Feb. 19, 1988. A private service was planned.
Cemetery.
Nidever
Vaeza
Retired Sgt. David Vaeza passed away on March 14. He is the
Jay A. Nidever passed away on March 10. He is the father of brother of retired Police Officer Steven Vaeza. Sgt. Vaeza and his
Police Officer Rodney G. Nidever, assigned to the South Gessner brother joined Academy Class No. 42 on Oct. 6, 1969. Sgt. Vaeza
Division. Services were held March 18 with burial in Houston retired on March 22, 1990. Services were held March 19.
National Cemetery.
Oxford
Robert “Tom” Oxford (76) passed awayon March 1. He is the
father of Sgt. Timothy L. Oxford, assigned to the Jail Division.
Services were held March 4 with burial in Cathedral of the Pines
Cemetery.
Wilrich
Retired Sgt. Larry J. Wilrich passed away on March 18. He
joined Police Academy Class No. 66 on Aug. 19, 1974. During
his career, he served in the Central Division, Jail Division and
the Community Services Division and retired while assigned to
the Clear Lake Division on July 24, 2004. He is survived by his
wife, Maria Wilrich. Services were held March 22 with burial in
Brookside Cemetery.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
In Memory of…
April - Houston Police Officers
Slain in the Line of Duty
Jack B. Beets 04-30-1955
Charles R. Gougenheim 04-30-1955
James F. Kilty 04-08-1976
Jose A. Zamarron 04-18-1981
Daryl W. Shirley 04-28-1982
Maria M. Groves 04-10-1987
Bruno D. Sobeleski 04-12-1991
Cuong H. “Tony” Trinh 04-06-1997
Charlie Clark 04-03-2003
William E. Murphy 04-01-1910
Paul W. Whitlock 04-22-1928
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.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Psych Services
The Numbers Emphasize that
Alcohol and Kids Don’tTheMix
Man in the Mirror
By LISA GARMEZY
Alcohol Awareness Month in April may seem… unnecessary. We’re
aware, right? So let’s look at just one part of the public health push,
preventing underage drinking.
Frankly, not everyone is on board. Well-meaning folks can see teen
drinking as a harmless rite of passage. There’s even a movement by more
than 100 college presidents, including the president of Texas A&M, to
lower the drinking age. They feel keeping it at 21 fosters disrespect for
the law and binge drinking.
Consider, however National Institute of Health figures on the damage
done by alcohol. In one year, in the 18-24-year-old age group:
•A
lcohol is linked to 690,000 assaults and 600,000 accidental injuries,
including car crashes, falls and burns.
• More than 97,000 students are victims of date rape or alcohol-related
sexual assault.
• One in four students report that drinking interfered with his or her
academic performance.
• Health problems develop in 150,000 young people and one percent
will try to commit suicide, either because of alcohol/drug use or while
under the influence.
Many more will face the classic consequences of drunken behavior—
unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Some just screw
up their chance to follow their parents into law enforcement.
Teens always think, “It can’t happen to me.” Police officers know better.
The mistakes our kids make can haunt them for a lifetime.
Our Job
Many parents don’t realize we can make a difference. Research done
at UT Austin and Penn State shows that college freshman are under
the influence—yours. Kim Fromme of UT says at that age, “Parental
awareness and caring are still exerting an influence on alcohol use,
sexual behavior and drug use.” They won’t thank you, but when you
talk to them about alcohol, they’re listening.
For parents, managing underage drinking is all about delaying it.
There is a clear connection between beginning to drink younger and
abusing alcohol.
At some point, we move from asking for abstinence to guiding young
adults toward safer use, like never getting in a vehicle with an impaired
driver. Sadly, we have to caution our sons and daughters not to drink in
excess with people they can’t completely trust, and to intervene if others
are taking advantage of intoxicated women.
Young people also need to know that the amount of alcohol that causes
a pleasant buzz is not always vastly different from a fatal overdose. In
two hours, 10 drinks for a 140-pound woman or 13 for a 160-pound
man create a potentially lethal medical emergency. These amounts take
most people to a .35 BAC, which leads to death half the time.
Being a role model is critical. When we use alcohol to relax, to
bond with friends, to celebrate, to become more outgoing, they’re
watching. Beyond that, consistent rules, close family ties and
support with problem-solving will help protect young people from
substance abuse.
To guide our kids well, we have to be honest about what‘s safe. Moderate
drinking means no more than 14 standard drinks per week for men or
seven for women. In addition, it means no more than four drinks on
any single day for men, or three drinks in one day for women. Exceed
that, according to the National Institute of Health, and you are putting
yourself at risk for developing alcoholism, liver disease, certain cancers
and other health problems.
A standard drink is 12 ounces of regular beer, eight or nine ounces of
malt liquor, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. Of
course, most cocktails aren’t standard. Three typical margaritas actually
add up to five drinks. Google the NIH Cocktail Content Calculator to
check the amount of alcohol and calories in your favorite beverages.
So common it seems normal, binge drinking is defined as alcohol use
that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration to .08 or above. In
practical terms, this is typically having five drinks for men or four for
women over a couple of hours. It’s thought to occur in 40 percent of
college students. My sons called it “pre-gaming”—drinking privately
before going somewhere you cannot be served.
Binging is seriously hazardous. For example, binge drinkers are 14 times
more likely than other drinkers to drive under the influence. Alcohol
poisoning can occur.
The young person or reader who has alcoholism in the family is at
particularly high risk for developing a dependence on alcohol or another
substance. People with this legacy definitely can’t binge safely. As they
say on Comedy Central, sometimes the family tree has a car wrapped
around it. Don’t try to argue with genetics.
Check It Out
Anyone interested in changing his or her drinking patterns should
visit www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov. Call if we can help. To
learn more about preventing teen drinking, Google “NIH Make a
Difference” or “Talk. They hear you.”
The effort of campus leaders to lower the drinking age is described at
www.theamethystinitiative.org. One name not on the sponsors’ list is
that of Anthony Marks, who led my kids’ college. Marks’ name was
removed after his arrest for drunk driving a year into the project.
What are we telling young people and why? Our silence is often
understood as acceptance. Worse still, if our messages to kids about
alcohol use are unclear, defensive or self-serving, they need to change.
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM
Transportation
94 Chevy Camaro, 165,000, new Michelins, paper on all work
"Mid Age Lady Owned", cigarette free. See to appreciate.
713-702-4948
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
Project Truck 1955 Chevy Pickup No motor or transmission,
painted pearl white and sub framed, new window seals and
glass, new rims and tires. $8000.00 Call Thomas for more
details 281-703-7521
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
Country living in Brazos County between Navasota and College
Station. This home on 6 beautiful acres is the perfect setting for
those wanting to live in a quiet rural setting that is close to the
city. The main house is a 2,800 sq. ft. 3 Bdr. 2.5 Ba. with a large
office area and a 2 car garage. The guest house is a newly built
1 Bdr. 1 Ba. detached home that is ideal for the Mother-in-law
or visiting friends or family. Additional features include a large,
enclosed tractor bay and hay barn as well as horse/cattle pens.
Good producing well and domestic water provided by Wellborn
Water. Neighbors include active and retired firefighters and
police officers. Price just reduced to sell; $347,500. Call for
details. Tim Gallagher (979)676–1621
7.81 Acres in the Texas Hill Country Great Building Site for
your Dream Home or Heavenly Hideaway! Wolf Creek Ranch in
Burnet County! 1 BR, 1 Bath, 4-Sided Rock Apartment attached
to 2-Car Garage! Metal Roof, 50-Gallon Water Tank, Septic large
enough for 4000 sf home. Call Debbie with Highland Lakes Real
Estate at 512-796-0187. Owner is an HPD Retiree
10.079 acres of land between Brenham and Chappell Hill,
Texas. Cleared and ready to build. Pecan trees and fenced.
$169,000 and owner will finance with 20% down. Call Ray
281 701 5428.
4000 sq ft Home on 2+ acres - 3 minutes from Lake Sam
Rayburn access. Must see $250,000.00 Phone 936-635-9326
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.
Apartment Specials! Licensed Real Estate Agent with Texas
Apt. Locators. Tammy (HPD wife) 281-507-9405 or Tammy@
texashomeagent.net Free service! Houston/Galveston area.
Ask about rebates. Sorry, can’t help with free apartment extra
jobs but, I do have a database full of apartments offering officer
discounts. I work with bad credit, broken leases, large dogs,
students, & all price ranges. Save time and money going with
a locator.
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 877-5224455
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-de-sac. Asking $26,000. Contact M.L. Sistrunk 281788-0256
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
Classifieds
Crypt For Sale Forest Park Westheimer Excellent location
“Inside” Ready to sell 281-686-9490
TSR Country Properties 115 West Fayette Street, Fayetteville,
TX 78940 Office (979) 378-2222 Fax (979) 378-2240
Brookside Cemetery Spaces 2,3 $2750 per space. Section
234 (old section) [email protected] C.V. Thompson 254947-8524
Hunting Weekend Expedition Affordable prices, private property. Whitetails, exotics & pigs. Call for details Officer Mike
Gonzalez 713-702-5838 or email [email protected]
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
Why rent when you can own while keeping your monthly payments about the same. For more info call 281-914-7351
Garden Park Cemetery, Conroe, Texas. Lawn Crypt section 4,
lot 30, spaces 7&8. Very well kept Cemetery, 4,000 ea. Call
Doug Bell 817-573-1675
Two cemetery lots. Grand view Memorial Park 8500 Spencer
highway in Pasadena. The cemetery sells the lots for $4495
each. We are asking $6500 for both. Call Charlie Everts 409
739-1206
Handcrafted leather cross key chains tooled and personalized, $1.50 each (including shipping). Limit 5 letters, chain
included. Other products available. For more info or to order
call Justin, 14 year old son of an HPD Officer, at 936-499-4385
Westwood Campng Club Membership, Trinity, Texas,
$3,500.00 / OBO Retired Officer A.L. Albritton 936-890-4374
or 830-221-5152
FREE MONEY: $2,000 COMMISSION REBATE to HPOU members when they buy or sell a house. James Cline, Realtor, 281548-3131 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
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
Lake Livingston Townhome 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath For rent Call
832-876-5511 or 713-459-8111
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
House for Rent: Bear Creek Area. 3 Bedroom/ Game room.
Cy-Fair School District. Swimming Pool. $1095.00/month. Call
832-282-5216.
Gold Rush Tax Service 281-399-3188 Same Day Refund
Special Police Officer Rates Brenda Webb (retired officer’s wife)
[email protected]
Miscellaneous
Rest Haven section 21, lot 180, spaces 1, 2, and 3 monument
valued at $3595.00 asking for $2800.00 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.
Tax Preparation From Home Office 40% - 50% Lower Fees.
Contact for estimate L. Dexter Price, CPA ldexterprice@comcast.
net 832.243.1477
Main Street Builders Residential and Commercial Construction
Licensed and Insured. David Webber (owner) Rt HPD 832618-2009
Gone Fishing wantafishtx.com Jim Hobsonretired 936-6152777 or [email protected] Vickey Grieger, Realtor Cell:
(979) 249-6675 Fax: (775) 373-5048 texashousemouse@
yahoo.com
Houston’s Wedding People Wedding Services, Wedding cakes,
Decorations, Chair covers, Favors Call today for free taste
testing and consultation 281-881-5027 www.houstonsweddingpeople.com
Mini Storage Police officer discount. 290 area. Call Dave for
details 713-460-4611
MOMs Helping MOMs Work from Home! Computer Required.
www.myhomebiz4u.com Paula A. Weatherly Independent Avon
Representative To buy or sell AVON, contact me! Lots of great
products at unbelievable prices! Start your AVON career for only
$10! [email protected] or www.youravon.com/pweatherly
281-852-8605 Smile! Jesus Loves Us!
Discount on Moonwalk Rentals Rent a moonwalk for your special
occasion. We deliver and pick up so you don’t have to! Please
call Officer Chris DeAlejandro at 713-922-8166 or
Carla DeAlejandro at 713-384-5361. Please let us know that
you’re Law Enforcement Personal.
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.
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
Colt .45 HPD Commemorative Pistol Call Paul 713-240-4672
2 Horse Trailer or 14 - 16 ft. Stock Trailer. Bumper Pull. R. Webb
281-399-1212 Cell 713-822-1867
Looking for a home or bare land? Contact retired officer,
DALLAS BINGLEY at Kerrville Realty - in the Heart of the Texas
Hill Country: (O) 830-896-2200 or (M) 830-739-1766 [email protected]
4/2/14 11:18 PM
4/2/14 11:18 PM

PDF - Houston Police Officers Union

Transcription

Similar documents

Moochie Kalala Detectives Club

Elena Ford, Why haven`t you responded to my

Brochure

Our Play Safe Program encourages children to play

nmgh boggart hole clough moston collyhurst village

Flyer-9300_Synott

UP UP AND AWAY - Principato di Seborga

Special Thanks to the participating RESTAURANTS

Woodway Collection

city of houston_case study