Fredericksburg Reunion HPD News

Transcription

RetiredBadge
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
HOUSTON, TX
PERMIT NO. 9155
HOUSTON POLICE RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 2288, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77252-2288
THE
With Honor We Served . . .
With Pride We Remember
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON POLICE RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
VOL. XII, NO. 5
Fredericksburg Reunion
The Hill Country Reunion will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at
Lady Bird park pavilion, 432 Lady Bird Drive, Fredericksburg, TX.
This is the same place as last year.
The doors will be open at 9:00 AM and coffee will be ready. The
meal will be served at 12 Noon and will be “Catfish with all the
trimmings”. We will hold another “silent auction” so if you have
an item or two that you can donate please bring it with you, or
drop it off at any HPROA meeting prior to the reunion.
There are several events in Fredericksburg schedule for this
weekend, and all Motels will fill up fast. Please make reservations
as soon as possible.
RV’ers desiring to stay at Lady Bird R.V. park should contact
the park at 830/997-4202 and identify yourself as being with
HPROA.
October - November 2012
Motels Available:
Peach Tree Inn & Suites 866/997-4347, 401 S. Washington St.
The Super 8 Motel 800/466-8356, 830/997-4484, 501 E. Main St.
(US 290)
The Sunday House 830/997-4484, 501 E. Main St. (US 290)
Fredericksburg Lodge 830/997-6568, 514 E. Main St.
The Best Western Motel 830/992-2929, 314 Highways St.
The La Quinta Inn 830/990-2899, 1465 East Main St. (US 290)
Days Inn 800/320-1430, 808 S. Adams St.
Quality Inn 830/997-9811, 908 S. Adams St.
Motel 6 800/466-8356, 705 Washington St.
For additional information you may contact Lamar or Dee
Kimble 830-995-2431.
HPD News - Blasts from the Past
By Nelson Zoch
NOTE:
Reprinted from old and ancient issues of the Badge and Gun.
2/16/1955
Tuesday night, Chief Jack Heard issued orders on “military
courtesy and military etiquette” which will require uniformed
officers to salute their Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains and
Inspectors. They in turn will be expected to return those salutes.
A stiff, snappy salute is not necessary, but “soft, informal” salutes
will do. The order went on to say that the Mayor, Roy Hofeinz,
will also be saluted by the uniformed officer, however, members
of city council need not be accorded this same privilege. Chief
Heard, Asst. Chief McGill, and Sgt. Jack Renois demonstrated
the proper manner for rendering this salute.
2/18/1955
Former Vice Squad Captain Foy D. Melton Jr. was acquitted
of a narcotics charge before a Federal Court in Corpus Christi
yesterday. This was the second trial for the former Vice Squad
Captain, the first being held in Brownsville back in November.
After the Civil Service Commission meets, Captain Melton is
most certainly expected to be reinstated.
2/22/1955
Chief Heard gives up on the salute order to his troops. Hinting
darkly at mutiny among the troops, sounding distinctly aggrieved
and even bitter, Heard issed a rescinding order on “military
courtesy”. Apparently, a segment of police officers rebelled at
these instructions, as Chief Heard’s rescinded order added that
“it is a shame that we have such people, but fact remains that
we do. Such members are not even loyal to themselves, and
certainly are not a credit to our department”.
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The Retired Badge Oct - Nov 2012 Edition
FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILL ELKIN
In trying to keep our members up to date
on those issues that would directly, or
indirectly, impact our retirement years, I
find that this is sometimes difficult to do.
It is because that sometimes important
issues and matters are always in a state of
flux. What is important this week or month
is over showed by the most recent daily
event. So, I am always in a quandary
of trying to prioritize the issues to report,
even though they maybe in regards to
the recurring matters. Anyway, I’ll try to
bring you up to date.
It was stressed that even though some
employee organizations wanted to
keep in house all PAC (political action
contributions) contributions, there is an
immediate need to fund the PAC of the
TSR, which has, and is still developing
informational and educational programs
necessary to combat any upcoming
legislative by those who seek to change
or eliminate defined benefit pensions.
TEXPERS, as an organization, is committed
to the support of TSR and will work at the
legislature to that end.
First, in an effort to stay abreast of the
latest developments in the matter of
any impending attack on our pensions,
I would like to report that the HPROA
has rejoined as an associate member
of TEXPERS (Texas Association of Public
Employee Retirement Systems). Several
years ago this organization was a
member of TEXPERS, but after a couple
of years let our membership expire. Now
with the attack of pension, both locally,
state and nation wide, it was felt that
renewing our membership would provide
us with a networking ability with other
public pension systems. This would keep
us up with what is going on in other parts
of Texas regarding pension issues.
On September 12, I attended the Pension,
Investment & Financial Services Committee
of the Texas House of Representatives,
in Austin. This was an Interim meeting of
the committee with several charges to
present for the committee members to
consider. Charge #1 was the one that
was of concern to us in Houston. It stated:
Review local retirement systems that
are not a part of statewide systems, the
administration of these retirement systems,
and current liabilities. Study and make
recommendations aimed at curbing
rising pension costs to local governments.
This charge was directly aimed at systems
such as those in Houston and some other
large cities in Texas.
As a result of renewing our association with
TEXPERS, I attended it’s Annual Education
Forum in San Antonio, Texas, on August
19, 20 & 21, and remaining for the TSR
(Texans for Secure Retirement) meeting
on the afternoon of the 21st. Many, if
not almost all, of the retirement systems
belonging to TEXPERS, is also a member of
TSR. Discussions, for the most part, center
on the possibility of what legislation might
be introduced in the Texas Legislature this
next year, in it’s 83rd Session.
Though Mayor Annise Parker had indicated
to the various Houston retirement systems
that she intended to “roll out” her agenda
for pension reforms around the time for the
committee meeting, she did not make an
appearance. She instead sent a written
two page letter to the committee, which
was read by a new lobbyist for the city,
giving out her points of concern over the
three city pension systems and the areas
within the systems that she felt need to
be changed. The letter was read and
received without comment.
Bill Elkin, Executive Director
The Chairman of HPOPS, Ralph Marsh, did
make a presentation, giving a snapshot
of the system, and stated that our system
is considered to be in a good financial
condition. There were many other
speakers, both from the employer side of
the issue, and from the employee side.
Time will tell what recommendations are
forthcoming from the committee.
On a more local note, The President of the
HPOU, Ray Hunt, has offered the HPROA
some office space in the original building
at 1602 State Street. This is the building
that the “old” HPOA built during the time I
was it’s president (It was built and paid for
during that time). This office space will be
shared with COPS (Concerns for Police
Survivors), and will give us a place to meet
with anyone seeking to hold an interview
on issues that involve our organization.
There is no cost to us for the use. This was
certainly a very generous offer from the
HPOU and President Ray Hunt, and we
thank them for it. Our Board graciously
accepted the offer.
3
A Message from Stephen Rayne, President HPROA
Four new board members (M. Beale, S.
Toth, R. Barnard and J. Harris ) were also
elected. We were all sworn in by our past
president Jack Miller.
Stephen Rayne, President HPROA
This is my first article under our new
publication schedule. We think the new
schedule will get information to you in a
more timely manner.
Our August meeting was well attended
with almost 140 members present. I am
sure the increased attendance was due
to the exciting and informative meetings
we present and had nothing to do with
the FREE meal that was served! During
the meeting the election ballots were
counted by E.J. Smith and his Election
Committee. Sue Gaines, Jim Ashby and I
were reelected to our positions.
On August 14, 2012, several days
after our monthly meeting, sixteen
HPROA members and board members
volunteered
to
work
answering
telephones at a tele-thon to raise money
for the PBS (Public Broadcast System).
We went to the Channel #8 studios on
the main campus of the University of
Houston. We got grilled chicken and a
salad for our dinner then about twenty
minutes of training on how to use their
computers. I wish I had a video of our
reactions when we learned we had to
take and enter credit card information for
a list of items (concert tickets, CD’s and
DVD’s) and we had to properly order for
the callers the items they selected. Doing
data entry while talking to the callers
on the phone was challenging but we
had fun. We all helped each other and
laughed with and at each other as we
learned and got the job done. We were
all still laughing as we left the studio and
agreed we would probably be willing to
do it again. This was an attempt to get
the HPROA some public exposure and
make our organization known.
Within a couple of weeks of your receiving
this edition of the “Retired Badge” you, as
a Texas voter, will have an opportunity to
protect or destroy your pension benefits. I
am talking about the elections coming up
the first week of November. This important
ballot has you making choices on national,
state, county, city and bond elections that
may affect you greatly. It is important that
you not only vote, but vote wisely. Your
pension benefits were given to you by our
state legislature and the state legislature
can change them or take them away. Our
members are located all over the state of
Texas and they vote for state legislators
from all over the state.
Find out how your legislator feels about
defined benefit pensions (our pension). If
your legislator supports our present type
pension system, THEN SUPPORT THEM!! The
mayor of Houston wants to take control of
our pension out of our hands and wants
the City of Houston to control our pension.
We cannot allow this to happen!! If you do
nothing this could happen, maybe not in
this legislative session, but what about two
years from now? Vote wisely so our pension
benefits are not reduced and control of
our pension system is not given to the city.
Your HPROA tries to keep our retired police
family informed and together. We will continue
to work for the benefit of all of our members.
CALL (713) 802-2967
TO JOIN HPROA TODAY
4
More Memories of Lanny
By D.E. Hagler
Editors Note: The following was sent to the
Retired Badge as a follow-up to the story
last month by D.A. Gibson-REMEMBERING
LANNY AND WOODY.
Thanks, David Hagler.
Reading the article about “Lanny and
Woody”, by D.A. Gibson, in the recent
Retired Badge, brought back memories
that I have of Lanny.
I was in HPD Class #22, late 1959,
engaged in traffic stops along Memorial
Drive. Myself and another cadet had
stopped a vehicle driven by Detective
Harry Caldwell, and the passenger was
Detective Lanny Dixon. I was playing
watchdog at the right rear, and my
partner was engaged in what became a
heated discussion with Harry. I went to the
passenger door to assist, and opened the
door to remove Lanny from the vehicle.
There was a lot of heated conversation
going on and as I tried to extract Lanny
from the vehicle, I had my head just
outside the car door opening, above the
drip rail. Harry pulled Lanny back inside,
pulling my head against the drip rail with
a lot of force. I struck the edge of the drip
rail with the bridge of my nose, resulting
in a lot of pain. I had let go of Lanny,
shook my head, and dove back inside,
grabbing Lanny around the waist and
pulled her from the vehicle.
After I got Lanny out, she started screaming
to let her go, as I was getting blood all
over her sweater. I let her go, and then
realized I was dripping blood from my
nose, and sure enough had gotten blood
on Lanny’s sweater. I was given a towel
to hold to my nose, and was taken to J.D.
Hospital on Allen Parkway, where I got
four stitches on my nose.
I returned to class with a few chuckles,
and wiser about traffic stops.
Many years later, after Woody had
passed away, I was on a road trip visiting
friends and relatives, and was passing
through Llano County. I knew that Lanny
was the J.P., and the J.P.’s Office was at
Buchanan Dam, so I stopped for a visit.
She remembered the incident from the
traffic stop, and we had a good time
sharing some memories. She said that
was her favorite sweater, and she had a
time getting the blood removed.
I will always cherish the memories of the
experiences and friends from my years
with HPD.
The Doctor said I was lucky, because the
blow was directly on the bridge-higher,
and it could have been fatal, and lower,
it could have broken my nose.
Houston Police Retired Officers Association
P.O. Box 2288 • Houston, Texas 77252-2288
713-802-2967 • Toll Free 1-866-856-7252
www.hpdretired.com
Executive Officers
President
Stephen Rayne
1st Vice President
Chuck Simmons
Treasurer
Jim St. John
Parliamentarian
---
Executive Director
W.M. Bill Elkin
2nd Vice President
Medwin Beale
Secretary
Sue Gaines
Sergeant-At-Arms
Robert L. Crane
Retired Officer David E. Hagler
HPD Class #22
Attorney at Law
Executive Board
of Director
Jim Ashby
Bob Barnard
A.L. Blair
Jack Harris
Steven Toth
Fred Walschburger
Nelson Zoch
JAN RICH
Past President
Jack Miller
Office Secretary
Cathy Buckles
Webmaster
Jim Ashby
The Retired Badge is an official publication of the Houston Police Retired Officer’s Association (HPROA). It is published bimonthly under the supervision of the HPROA Board of Directors. However,
opinions expressed by individual Board members or any other contributor in this publication do not reflect the opinion of the entire Board of Directors of HPROA. Editorial submissions and other
items of interest from HPROA members are welcomed and encouraged.
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE RETIRED BADGE ARE PAID FOR BY THE CONTRIBUTORS AND DO NOT IN ANY MANNER IMPLY AN ENDORSEMENT, WARRANTY, OR GUARANTEE BY THE HPROA.
EDITORIAL POLICY: The Retired Badge is published in September, November, January, March, May and July by the Houston Police Retired Officers Association. Materials submitted for purblication
are subject to review by the Board and to editing. All photographs will be returned if they have a self-addressed, stamped envelope included. Editorial content may be mailed to P.O. Box 2288,
Houston, Texas 77252-2288. Deadlines are the 15th of each month preceding the publication date.
Personal Injury
Probate & Wills
Estate Planning
1533 W. Alabama, Suite
100, Houston, TX 77006
832-654-0718
NOT CERTIFIED BY THE TEXAS BOARD OF
LEGAL SPECIALIZATION
HPD Back Then
By E.J. Smith
As you all know, Police Officers are the
“best” when it comes to pranks. Several of
you experienced rocks in your hub caps,
wet seats, grease on the windshield and
chicken bones scattered in the patrol unit.
There was also the occasional vehicle
stuffed with newspaper discovered as you
went to your vehicle after a rough shift.
Most of these were parked under the
Capital Street bridge or on the Richie
Temple lot. The evidence was newspapers
scattered all over the lot and the several
witness officers hidden behind various
vehicles.
Then there was the Northwest Sergeant
who was advised he would be recognized
and awarded if only he would travel
to Galveston, in uniform, and attend a
church service in his honor.
The Sergeant, who was very deserving,
dressed in his finest and arrived at the
church whose members were somewhat
surprised and amused.
I also remember during the 70’s, while
working on a complaint, two Sergeants
entered my office and advised that a
citizen was en-route. They stated he had
reported having been stopped for speed
on the Gulf Freeway and the two (radar
Officers) had taken his billfold. A few
minutes later a rather large gentleman
was escorted and sat in the chair in front
of my desk. He again stated he had lost
his wallet to the two Officers and was very
upset and demanded immediate action.
I asked about the location and time of
occurrence. He again stated the Gulf
Freeway at 2:00am.
Address Change
Most retired officers are somewhat settled in their lives and in
their homes. However, occasionally some of us find it necessary
to make changes and move. Should you do so, please advise
the HPROA of your new location. The HPROA can better serve
you if we know where you are.
5
Well, we OD at 11pm so I picked up the
phone to call Patrol about the same
time as the two Sergeants rushed into
my office and not very nicely placed the
complainant on the floor and dared him
to accuse our fine Officers of such vile
deeds.
As I was swallowing the phone receiver,
the Sergeants disappeared, never to
return. As I dusted the gentleman’s
clothing and apologized for my stressed
out staff, he broke down and confessed
to the prank.
He was an undercover Officer I did not
know. He also quickly disappeared. It
was payback time.
Thanks, Sergeants Jesse Foroi and W.S.
(Ma) Weaver.
Till next time,
E.J. Smith
HPROA’s mailing address: P.O. Box 2288, Houston, TX 77252-2288.
Phone numbers: (713) 802-2967, toll free number 1-866-856-7252.
Email: www.hpdretired.com
City of Houston Human Resources
Insurance Department Contact Numbers
HPROA Executive Director Bill Elkin has provided the below contact numbers for HPROA members who might have questions
regarding their health insurance.
CONTACT PERSON
ALPHABET
TELEPHONE NUMBER
MARIBEL GOMEZ
ALICIA SOLIS
KEMP LENUED
SUPERVISOR
CIGNA’A STAFF
A-G
H-O
P-Z
MARK KASTEN
611 WALKER
713-837-9362
713-837-9448
713-837-9366
713-837-9335
713-837-9467
713-837-9377
713-837-9376
6
Bulletproofing Your Training
By Barbara A. Schwartz
Tactics and techniques in the SWAT realm
constantly evolve and improve and will
continue to do so as the criminals and the
mentally challenged invent new ways to
promote evil.
SWAT training must stay ahead of the
game, training for what might never
happen, preparing for the unthinkable,
always imagining the greatest of horrors.
When instructors craft lesson plans and
scenarios they fail to keep one enemy and
combatant in mind--the courts.
Veteran SWAT trainer and past Texas
Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA)
president, Sandy Wall and Dr. Tom Mijares,
Texas State University professor and TTPOA
Training Advisory Board member, have
written a new book, Training the SWAT
Trainer, that arms instructors against this
often forgotten foe.
Mijares initially envisioned the book’s
concept and approached Wall to contribute
content and training standards.
Training the SWAT Trainer differs from other
books on your shelf by diving head on into
the issue of bulletproofing your agency’s
‘‘fatal force’’ training.
‘‘Strapping a gun on an officer, giving him
body armor, and sending him out into the
community, he will realistically come across
that (fatal force) situation,’’ Wall explains.
‘‘Our mission is to ultimately save lives. We
have to train for it.’’
Wall points out that when a carpenter
makes a bad cut on a board, he can
pick up another and start over. When an
accountant makes a mistake on a ledger,
he can erase the error.
Officer don’t have that luxury.
When law enforcement officers make
mistakes people can die and sometimes
the wrong people die. Mijares stresses that
one of the first things a defense attorney
does when filing a lawsuit against officers
and agencies is subpoena training
records.
Wall agrees, ‘‘First thing that we expect
to be challenged is the training. When
it happened, who instructed it, their
credentials, what is contained in lesson
plans.’’ Those instructors who don’t expect
to be deposed and put on trial, with a jury
examining what was done in training, are
kidding themselves, according to Wall.
‘‘This book is about saving officer’s lives,’’
Wall states. Not only their biological
life, but also their career, financial, and
personal well-being.
The book accomplishes this with
chapters on lesson plan development,
compliance with professional standards,
documentation,
presentation,
and
the need for continuous training and
evaluation among other topics.
The future of SWAT tactics rests in the
hands of instructors. What is taught today
may be challenged in court tomorrow.
In Training the SWAT Trainer the authors
present case law archives that relate
to the training theme of each chapter
and how case law should be considered
during the development phase of any
training protocol.
Instructors are obligated to continuously
improve and educate themselves.
‘‘Knowledge is power,’’ Wall states that
the book will add to any instructor’s tool
box, reminding instructors of what they
already know or restating it in a new
way. ‘‘The book gives instructors building
blocks to develop lesson plans.’’
The book challenges instructors to be
innovative in creating lesson plans,
reminding the trainer that high priced
facilities are not always needed to
achieve exceptional training.
Training the SWAT Trainer should be
read, not only by SWAT instructors, but
also by students, agency administrators,
agency and union legal staff, and all
law enforcement instructors who want
to bulletproof their training from liability
and litigation.
‘‘Hostage rescue training is not just
for SWAT teams anymore,’’ Wall said,
pointing out that when a narcotics
team needs to save an undercover
officer from a situation gone south, that
is hostage rescue. When a patrol officer
hears shots fired and screams from inside
a house at a domestic scene, that is
hostage rescue.
Students will learn how to obtain more
from their training experience and to
optimize their performance through skill
development. Chapter 5 ‘‘Presenting
the Material’’ states: ‘‘Keeping students
engaged in their own learning is the key
to successful lesson presentation and
student recall.’’
‘‘If we can keep one police officer from
getting hurt, or jammed up legally, then
we have done our job,’’ Mijares said.
Continues on Page 7
1974 HPD Pictorial Book
The HPD pictorial book, published by the then HPOA, in my
opinion was without a doubt the best book published to date. It
is unknown how many were printed back then, but these books
are in demand.
This writer has received NUMEROUS requests from retired Officers
requesting information as to where to locate one of these
copies. I have prepared a list of those individuals requesting
such information. If someone has knowledge of the availability
of a copy of this book, please contact me and I will pass the
information on to the people who are requesting it. I do not
care to involve myself in any transactions, but will only act as a
go-between.
7
For those of you who do not remember this book, it was a 9”X12”
blue book, with Houston Police Department and three badges
on the front of it. It has 296 pages. The Department was divided
up in Bureaus and Divisions and was very well done, even having
a retired Officer’s section. The project was obviously blessed by
the Department, as the Editor, Officer R.G. Smith from the Park
Place Station, was placed on special assignment and had the
cooperation of many within the department to assist him. It is
unknown exactly what involvement the HPOA had, but they
were involved to some extent. It was a job well done, which is
still being remembered some thirty-eight years later. R.G. was
also the managing editor of the Badge and Gun at the time.
He later retired from HPD and passed away in 1986.
Continues from Page 6
Training the SWAT Trainer will educate agency administrators
on the factors facing the modern law enforcement trainer. The
Preface states: ‘‘…the chief executive officer of any organization
bears the ultimate responsibility for any actions taken during
the operation of the organization, no matter how far removed
and insulated from the action...it is also incumbent on police
executives to become familiar with the issues of training.’’
The authors are donating all proceeds from the book’s sales
to two scholarships that they hold near and dear: TTPOA’s Les
Early Scholarship named after a Pasadena, TX SWAT officer
killed in the line of duty and Texas State University’s Yari Mokri
Scholarship, named for a former criminal justice student killed in
Iraq while serving his country.
Training the SWAT Trainer can be obtained from the publishers at
1-800-258-8980 or the Charles Thomas web site at: http://www.
ccthomas.com/details.cfm?P_ISBN13=9780398087197.
The book has been accepted for inclusion in the National
Tactical Officers Association resource library.
Training the SWAT Trainer emphasizes that ‘‘performance is a
function of preparation.’’ Reading the book will bulletproof your
training preparation, support two good causes, and enhance
the performance of your officers--ultimately leading to the
saving of lives. And that is the real mission of SWAT.
Barbara A. Schwartz has dedicated her life to writing about
the brave.
CALL (713) 802-2967
TO JOIN HPROA TODAY
8
HPROA Benefits
In June of 1994, during an annual get together of retired HPD
officers in Crockett, Texas the Houston Police Retired Officers
Association was born. It was born out of the need for retired
officers to have the same type of organized representation that
active duty officers have. The HPROA was created to give retired
officers an official organization to represent them regarding
matters affecting their pensions and medical benefits.
The HPROA is an independent association of retired HPD officers
and is not a part of any other association, union or organization.
The HPROA is a separate entity that respects and will work with
other police groups to accomplish its goal. That goal being:
to protect and if possible improve the pension and medical
benefits of retired HPD officers or their surviving spouses.
The HPROA is governed by a board of directors elected from
within its membership and answers only to the membership of
the association.
Why should I join the HPROA?
Membership Benefits
I. ACTIVE REPRESENTATION IN AUSTIN
• Registered lobbyist working to protect existing pension
benefits II. ACTIVE REPRESENTATION AT CITY HALL
• “Health Insurance
• City’s obligation to contribute to Houston Police Officers
Pension System
III. SOCIAL EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
• Promoting fellowship among retirees by sponsoring reunions in
the spring, summer and fall of each year, throughout the state
• Providing a lunch, each year in August, at the annual HPROA
election meeting
• Sponsoring the Annual Surviving Spouse Luncheon to honor
the families of all HPD officers who have passed away
• Sponsor Police Week Memorial Reception
IV. FAMILY ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
• Current updates on members who are sick or shut-ins
• Provide medical equipment for members in need
• Participate in funeral visitations and arrangements
• Present a brass memorial plaque to surviving spouse of
deceased member
V. OTHER BENEFITS
• Optional TMPA “Right to Carry” legal defense insurance
• Website updates on local, state, or national events that effect
retired officers
• “The Retired Badge” (the official newspaper of the HPROA
• Active and involved Political Action Committee (PAC)
• Discounted Insurance Services
• Members only directory
• Email notification
Do I qualify for membership?
Eligibility for membership, in the HPROA, is based on the
requirement that an applicant is honorably retired from the
Houston Police Department, or is their surviving spouse, and
qualifies to receive a pension benefit from HPOPS or the City of
Houston Municipal Employees Retirement System. The benefit
can be a monthly retirement payment, a surviving spouse’s
monthly payment or the HPOPS member is currently enrolled in
the DROP program.
How do I become a member?
1.) Applications may be submitted online at www.hpdretired.
com by credit card only.
2.) Complete application form found on the next page and
mail along with your membership fee.
3.) Contact the HPROA Office at 713-802-2967 or toll free at
1-866-856-7252 and request an application by mail.
4.) Mail application form, found in the Retired Badge (official
publication of the HPROA.)
5.) Pick up an application at the HPROA monthly meeting
held the second Thursday of each month at the KC Hall 607
E. Whitney.
This is Your Retired Badge
Any member or family member of HPROA is allowed and encouraged to submit articles for publication in this newspaper.
Opinions, events, war stories, family announcements... all are welcome and enjoyed by our members.
Submissions will only be edited as necessary to protect your HPROA from legal liabillity.
9
10
University of Houston Public Television–
Channel 8
Some in our group, me included, considered leaving after we ate but
we thought the better of doing that.
By Nelson Zoch
Some time back, HPROA PAC Chairman Bobby Barnard (now Board member),
brought up the idea of the HPROA becoming involved in some type of community
activity. His thinking was that we needed to get our name out to the public in a
positive manner, especially in lieu of a possible upcoming battle in the public over
our earned pensions. Of course, the idea of assisting at one of the Holiday mass
public meals at the George R. Brown Convention Center did not appeal to many
HPROA members, as most of us had through the years worked at HPD on many of
those special days away from our families.
However, Bobby did not give up on this idea, and our Treasurer, Jim St. John,
picked up the ball and ran with it. Bobby and Jim came up with the idea of
our organization volunteering our services with the Public Television Station at
the University of Houston. This privately funded and public station was holding a
fundraiser and Jim made contact with the proper people at Channel Eight and
made arrangements for the below activity.
On the evening of Tuesday, August 14, a total of fifteen members and spouses from
HPROA arrived at the U of H station. We were served an excellent meal, donated
to the station by Beck’s Prime Restaurant. Yes, here we were all retired, and here
we are, still sack-dragging. Seriously, it was an excellent salad of which you had
three choices, which could be topped out with very tasty chicken fajitas.
RIVER OAKS
As President Steve Rayne stated in his President’s article this month,
we were given a short training period and then for several hours,
we answered the phones for the fund raiser and made the proper
arrangements for donations as well as the purchase of tickets to various
functions at the Stafford Center. Channel Eight apparently receives a
portion of the funds from those tickets.
All in all, it was certainly a different and unique experience. Those HPROA
members participating were Steve and Vickie Rayne, Fred Walshburger,
Chuck Simmons, Sue Gaines, Gene Yanchak, Johnny Bonds, Doug
Bostock, Nelson Zoch, Ron Headley, Steve Toth, Jim St. John, Bobby
Barnard and Bill Elkin. Jeanette Yanchak attended and provided the
moral support for some of us take on the challenge. Thanks to all.
Well, the President, Executive Director, and several Board Members
as well future Board Members, stepped up to this challenge and it is
hoped that if this opportunity arrives once again in the future, that more
volunteers will be forthcoming from the general membership.
Whether efforts such as this will make a difference in the public’s eye
remains to be seen. However, we can only try.
HELFMAN
HELFMAN
HELFMAN
HELFMAN
HELFMAN
HELFMAN
CHRYSLER • JEEP • DODGE
RIVER OAKS
CHRYSLER • JEEP • DODGE
Call Captain Alan Helfman
713-524-3801
4807 Kirby Dr. at the S.W. Frwy.
281-240-3673
12220 S.W. Frwy. (US59), Exit Kirkwood
Dodge
Cars
Dodge
Trucks
713-533-6100
7720 Katy Frwy. at Silber
MITSUBISHI
281-530-3673
11819 S.W. Frwy. (US59) Exit Kirkwood
My First Year
By Rodney Marcotte
I was in Class #44 in 1970. I was almost
twenty seven when I got out of the
academy. The majority of my class was
nineteen years old. The first time you did
not have to be twenty one to join the
police department. We had Sergeant
John Winters as supervisor and Officer
Davis working us out in the gym. After the
sixteen weeks was over we were given our
assignments. There were twenty of us that
were assigned to the TAC Squad, Patrol
four. I was lucky to be assigned to this
squad. We were each assigned to a senior
officer. Ten pair of officers was assigned to
work north of Buffalo Bayou with Sergeant
Bill Ford as supervisor and ten pair of officers
assigned to work south of Buffalo Bayou
with Sergeant Glenn Cheek as supervisor.
Our Lieutenant was L.L. Michna and he
reported to Inspector Williams. We were
assigned different high crime areas each
day and work them. Each day we would
be working a different area of town. Also
we were to assist in running calls during
shift change on the night shift.
The names mentioned above are the
only ones I will name in this memory from
the past. I am going to just use the initials
of the officers that were involved in the
war stories. While I was in the training
academy there was an officer RWR who
was one of our instructors. When we were
given our assignments little did I know
that I would have this training officer for
my first partner.
I graduated on a Friday night and on
the next Tuesday I was assigned to ride
with RWR. This officer had been in the
academy for a few years. I am not sure
he had ever worked the Fifth Ward. The
Fifth Ward was the area we were assigned
on my first night on the street.
My partner was not familiar with the area
or the unusual characters in this area. I
thought I was a mature person at the age
of twenty seven but my first night in the Fifth
Ward changed that. My first shock was
seeing all of the prostitutes at the corner
on Jensen and the loop, then to see them
run when they would see the patrol car.
One evening RWR and I were traveling on
Jensen and there was an older black male
on the corner hollering at everyone that
passed. My partner thought we should
see what was going on with this male. The
black man had a paper sack in his hand
and when we approached my partner
asked what he had in the sack. The man
replied “a funkin snwic”. My partner asked
a few more times and got the same reply. I
was handed the bag and told to see what
was inside. Me, being a rookie and on the
street just days, like a fool I reached in the
bag not looking and my fingers went into
a gooey soft mess. When I pulled my hand
out, I had a real gross mess on my hand.
What turned out to be in the sack was a
sandwich made out of some old pumpkin
meat that the black man had got out of
the garbage. Now we knew what he was
telling us. He had a pumpkin sandwich in
the bag. Lesson learned.
My second month was spent with an officer
who had just been on the department a
little over a year. He was RKP. This officer
was a real hustler and I learned a lot from
him. We would go into the small joints and
he would say “This is a raid…Men on the
right women on the left!” There were knives
and dope hitting the floor and some guns.
We made a lot of arrests. There was one
night just he and I went into a small joint
just off Jensen and Lyons by the railroad
tracks. We were checking liquor licenses
and health cards. When RKP pulled the
liquor license out of the frame, a giant
roach fell off and went down the front of
his shirt.
11
He commenced to take his Sam brown
off and fought to get the roach out of
his shirt. He finally got it out and we left
the joint as fast as possible. Still to this
day he will not admit this happened.
The other thing we did was pick up
prostitutes and as many as possible.
There was a night RKP said he wanted
to set a record as how many prostitutes
we could bring in at one time. I think we
probably did. I do not remember the
exact number but I think we had nine or
ten prostitutes in the patrol car at one
time. The funny part was when we got
to the rear of the station, one of them
called us out by radio number arriving
at rear of station.
My third training officer was CHR. This
officer, like all officers, had their special
things they liked to concentrate on.
This officer tried to locate stolen cars.
We found a lot of abandoned stolen
vehicles. The funny but not so funny
incident at the time happened on Oats
Road late one night. We had stopped
a suspicious vehicle. CHR told me to
talk to the driver while he checked out
the vehicle. When he came back to
where the driver and I were, he started
questioning the driver. For whatever
reason, I went to the vehicle to check it
out again. As I opened the driver’s side
door I saw a pistol lying in the front seat of
the vehicle. I thought this strange as my
partner had just looked in the vehicle. I
picked up the pistol and looked at it and
saw that it was my partner’s pistol. There
was a silver butt plate on the pistol with
my partners name on it. I quietly took
the pistol back and discretely gave the
pistol to my partner. I know everyone
can remember the silver butt plates
and how some of the holsters made by
“Malone” didn’t always fit your pistol
just right.
Continues on Page 12
12
My forth training officer was JGP. This officer
was a black belt in karate. His karate training
was with Sergeant Poffenburger. During
this time, Sergeant Poffinbarger held free
defense classes in the police gym once a
week. JGP talked me into going and learn a
few defensive moves. There were three that
helped me throughout my career. The first
was the foot sweep to drop a person to the
ground and the choke hold to slow a person
down and a ground move to keep a person
from getting up while they are being cuffed.
One night, there was a call that went out of
a fight at the pizza place on Uvalde Road.
There were no available units so JGP and
I took the call. The fight was fully engulfed
when we arrived. There were about twenty
to twenty five young men fighting. The fight
was between the surfers and the cowboys.
JGP and I walked into the place and using
the foot sweep we dropped everyone we
came in contact with. As they hit the floor
then saw the police, they cleared out. In just
a few minutes all was quiet and we arrested
the last two fighters. Thanks to JGP getting
me to take those classes. It saved me many
a time throughout my career.
I had to ride with other officers while my
regular partner was on a day off. Once I
rode with a K-9 officer. His dog did not like
me and all night long he would face away
from me and pass gas. This made for a long
night. Then there was a night I rode with
KWK and he had a black joint that he had
been trying to get in to bust up the dice
games they were playing. The joint was on
a corner and they kept a look out on the
corner to watch for the police. KWK came
up with the idea of using a vehicle that was
not a police car to approach the joint. We
waited around and a stake bed truck came
along. We stopped the truck and advised
the driver what to do. The driver was to go
toward the club and then turn as if he was
going to hit the look out. KWK and I held
onto the sides of the stake bed truck and
hung there for a good block and a half.
When the driver turned the corner, the
lookout ran to keep from getting hit. KWK
and I dropped off the truck and managed
to slip past the lookout and entered the
joint and stood watching as the men were
throwing dice. They did not see us at first,
then one looked up and they realized they
had been caught. So KWK got to bust the
dice game and we got some good arrests.
There was one shift I was assigned to ride
south side with MDB. Since I was a poor
young officer, I did not have a shotgun.
During shift change a burglary happened
at a warehouse near downtown. When we
got to the scene MDB opened the trunk
and handed me a double barrel shotgun
with exposed hammers. I thought I was
back in the old west. He said just pull the
hammers back and shoot. We did not find
any burglars and I was glad I did not have
to shoot the shotgun.
There was a night when a lot of the senior
officers were off and we rookies were just
off probation and we were paired up
together. Two officers got into a scuffle
with a large black man on Lyons Avenue.
He had pulled them into the back seat
of the patrol car and had them down
and getting the best of them. My partner
and I arrived and my partner tried to get
the man off the officers. My partner was
kicked away by the black man. I applied
the choke hold I had recently learned
and got the man relaxed enough for the
officers to get out of the rear of the car
and get him handcuffed.
My fifth and last training officer was WDB.
We became regular partners and road
together till the Tact Squad was disbanded
just after Fred Hofheinz was elected mayor.
We had a lot of unique experiences and
sometimes we thought we might be the
Keystone Cops. There are two incidences
that I will share with you. The first was one
night we ran an alarm call on Hardy Road
at a beer joint. The business was closed
and I went around it one way and my
partner went the other way.
I heard a lot of noise and carrying on and I
rushed to see what was wrong with my partner.
When I got to the back of the building I saw
what was wrong; my partner had stepped
into a septic tank with one leg and he was
trying to get out. This was amusing to me but
not to him. The next incident was we had
stopped a vehicle on traffic on Twentieth
Street between Shepherd and Durham. We
had not realized that the ditches had been
dug deep since the last time we had stopped
someone at this location. I was driving and
stepped out of the vehicle and looked over
to find my partner had disappeared. He had
fallen into the ditch. I just laughed and told
the violator to go on I was not going to write
them a ticket.
I had real good training officers and learned a
lot in my first year on the Tact Squad. I was real
lucky I always had good officers to train me
and I always had a good partner throughout
my career. I was also lucky by always having
excellent supervisors, they know who they
are.
Enough of my rambling...I hope the officers
that trained me remember some of these
tales. Thanks for the opportunity to tell them.
Bio information on a new Retired
Badge contributor:
Officer Rodney Marcotte graduated from
the HPD Academy in 1970 and was in the
class where the majority of the graduates, if
not all, were assigned to the newly-formed
Tactical Squad on a 7pm-3am shift. Following
that assignment of several years, he worked
Northwest Patrol, then North Shepherd Patrol,
Vice, Planning and Research, and also
worked on a federal Grant under Captain
Thaler. After that, he worked for Assistant
Chief R.G. McKeehan as part of the detail
called Substation Supply. He retired from HPD
in 1991 with just over twenty years of service.
He then went to work for the Harris County
Sheriff’s Department, became a Detective
and retired from that agency in 2003.
13
September 12, 1983
Bald Tires and Rugged, Rain-slick Streets
Contribute to 1-Car Death of Officer Moss
By Nelson Zoch
William Moss was born in Union
Point, Georgia, on August 17, 1941.
He was the tenth of twelve children
born to Willie and Lula Mae Moss. He
graduated in 1959 from Moultrie High
School in Moultrie, Georgia. From there,
he moved to the New Jersey-New York
City area and was employed in the
engraving business with one company
for more than fifteen years.
After witnesses summoned assistance,
responders found Officer Moss dead at
the scene. He was forty-two years old.
Veteran Accident Investigator J. H. Lynn
conducted the investigation of the scene,
supervised by Accident Lieutenant E. J.
Smith and Accident Sergeant Jesse Foroi.
Airport Police Chief Wilfred Navarro also
attended the scene of this fatality.
He moved to Houston in 1982 and made
application to the City of Houston
Aviation Division Police Department.
He
successfully
completed
the
background investigation and was
sworn in as an airport police officer on
September 17, 1982.
On Monday, September 12, 1983, Officer
William Moss was working the evening
shift at Houston Intercontinental Airport.
He was in the process of responding to
an accident call and driving south on JFK
Boulevard on streets that were slick from
a recent rain. As Officer Moss entered a
curve in the boulevard, he spun out of
control, striking the curb. The 1982 Ford
patrol car then slid on the wet grass and
into several trees, striking them with the
left side. The crash pinned Officer Moss
in the vehicle.
Moss was survived by his wife Flora, a
daughter, Kim Moss, age eighteen, and
three sons, Barry Moss, twenty; Bryant
Moss, seventeen; and Roland Moss,
fourteen. He was also survived by a
stepson, Michael Jones, twenty-one.
He was also mourned by his parents,
William and Lula Mae Moss and seven
sisters, Janet Moss, Carrie Stevens,
Juanita Hanks, Hattie McCullum, Mary
Stallworth, Lula Carter and Sarah
Richardson, as well as by two brothers,
John Moss and Robert L. Moss.
Officer William Moss
Officer Lynn’s investigation concluded
that while speed and wet surfaces likely
contributed to this accident, the police
vehicle had a bald tire on the right rear
that also was a major factor.
RetiredBadge
THE
Lieutenant Smith and Sergeant Foroi
contacted an expert from the Traffic
and Transportation Department who
also contributed to the investigation.
They found that this roadway was worn
slick from heavy use and badly in need
of resurfacing. They also concluded that
this type of roadway in this condition
was especially dangerous when the
issue of a bald tire was a factor. In
summary, there were a variety of factors
that contributed to the tragic death of
Officer Moss.
Funeral Services were held at the
Heights Funeral Home Chapel at 1:30
p.m. Thursday, September 15, 1983, with
Police Chaplain H. L. Hannah officiating.
Interment was in New York City.
See us online at
w w w.hp d r e ti r e d . c o m
14
William F. “Bill” Carmical
1926 - 2012
By Donald A. Gibson
Retired HPD Officer William F. “Bill”
Carmical passed away on June 23, 2012,
at the age of 86 years. Bill was born in
Many, LA on 2-2-26, and grew up in rural
towns in Louisiana.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps upon
his 18th birthday in 1944, and fought in
three island campaigns of World War II,
which were Tinian, Iwo Jima, in which he
was wounded in action and received a
Purple Heart, and also at Okinawa. He
later went to Japan as a member of
the 3rd Marine Division in occupation
of Japan after the Japanese surrender.
He was Honorably Discharged in 1946,
holding the rank of staff sergeant.
He came to Houston, TX and found
employment after that at an oil tool sales
company, traveling part of the time as
a salesman, through Texas, Louisiana
and Oklahoma. He worked in that line
of work until joining the Houston Police
Department on April 18, 1958, in Academy
Class #18, at the age of 32 years of age.
Bill was assigned to patrol on the night shift
after his academy graduation. He later
became partners on the 1oPM to 6AM
shift, riding with Officer W.R. Boswank, and
they rode together mostly in the 5th Ward,
Denver Harbor, and McCarty St. area on
old patrol unit #160. Early in 1960, Officer
Boswank made detective and went
to work in the Burglary & Theft Division,
leaving Bill Carmical without a regular
partner for a few months.
In February 1961, I rode with Officer Bill
Carmical a few times when I was a very
new officer, after I graduated from the
Academy in 1960, in class #23.
Bill and I found that we were very much
alike in our opinions and interests, as both
of us had military backgrounds, were both
conservative Republicans, liked sports very
much, and neither of us was too very fond
of certain defense attorneys we had to
face in court, nor also too fond of certain
members of the liberal news media, who
covered the police beat, and were not
very accurate as to the true facts of what
they reported in the news.
After riding together a few times, Bill and
I became regular partners on patrol,
still on the night shift, with Tuesdays and
Wednesdays as our off days. We rode in
the same areas as Bill had done previously,
on unit #160. This unit number was later
changed to Unit #684, but was in the
same area as before, riding out of the
central station at 61 Riesner Street. Bill was
eleven years older than I, was married at
the time, having a young son and a wife
at home. I was still single at that time.
Obviously we were riding in a very high
crime area, made many violent calls, and
many arrests due to the nature of where
we were riding. Therefore we spent an
unusually high amount of time testifying in
court on subjects we arrested. In those
days officers testifying in court off duty
only were paid $4.00 per day. It did not
matter how many times you appeared
in court in one given day, one time or
four times, you only were paid the giant
sum of $4.00 per day. Probably due to so
much court time, we may have made a
little more on our pay checks than some
of the other patrol officers who did not
appear in court as often. This extra pay
was appreciated as salaries at that time
were much lower than officers make in
this day and time.
Bill had been riding in the same area
so long, even before I rode with him,
that it was sort of uncanny how well he
knew the streets and locations in the
area where we were assigned calls. He
very rarely had to break out a key map
to locate any certain street we were
assigned to go to.
Luckily due to the high incidence of
crime in our area, we caught many
burglars, and many car thieves, and
wrote many traffic citations. It was good
training for a newer officer like myself,
due to so much activity.
One particular incident I have never
forgotten is when Bill and I got a call to
check on a silent burglar alarm going off
at Phyllis Wheatley Senior High School
on Market Street. We found entry to the
school and entered the dark building,
and were fired upon by a black male
burglar who was hiding in a classroom
there. We got into a shoot out with the
burglar when we located him, and both
of us shot and wounded the burglar four
times in all. The burglar was rushed to
Ben Taub Hospital and later died a few
days after that from his wounds. We
were later no-billed by a Harris County
Grand Jury.
In August 1963, when Bill and I were still
riding as partners, the Northeast and
Southwest Stations were completely built.
Park Place Station and North Shepherd
Station were already in operation before
that. Higher patrol supervision decided
that our unit should be riding out of the
Northeast Station in the future.
New Members:
July, August, and September 2012
15
Five new HPROA members were approved at the July, 2012
Board Meeting:
Eleven new HPROA members were approved at the September,
2012 Board Meeting:
Karen Collman, Alan Harris, Michael Landrum, Ernest Ramirez,
and Linda Smith Dunn.
N.T. Ruland, Gage Neil Edwards, Jimmy Keys, Stefanie Abernethy,
Gloria Hayman, Joseph Cram, Joel Welshons, Timothy Boyle,
Craig Goralski, Bruce Raschke, Sylvia Romolo.
Five new HPROA members were approved at the August, 2012
Board Meeting:
Thomas Jammer, Robert Spann, Steven Billings, Robert Nelson,
and Kenneth Youngblood.
Membership continues to grow due somewhat in being able
to place an application in the Badge and Gun. However, it is
growing also due to the continued hard work of our Membership
Chairman, Floyd Nettles. The September roster, prior to the
eleven who joined at the September Board meeting, totaled
1,577. This is the highest ever in the history of the HPROA.
About this time, Bill decided that he did
not want to ride from that station, as this
was very far to travel from his home near
Pasadena, and neither did I, as I was living
in the Woodland Heights area. Therefore
we decided to break up as partners in
September 1963. Bill was reassigned to the
Park Place Station, and I was reassigned
to the Southwest Station on Beechnut
Street. We broke up as partners, but still
remained very good friends.
During the few days of the riot, all patrol
officers had to work 12 hours on duty and
12 hours off duty during that time, with no
days off, and had roll calls at the central
station on the night shift. Bill and I both
reported at the same time to roll call one
of those nights, and Lt. J.W. Biggs, then a
patrol supervisor, assigned Bill and I to ride
together one more time, as we had been
old partners together before. We were not
assigned to go to TSU, but to run any calls
in the Southwest area that there were.
This was my regular area of operation.
Bill was still at HPD in those years, and was
still working nights, but had an extra job
for many years at Republic State Bank at
Edgebrook and the Gulf Freeway. On a
few times when I was working on cases in
that area, I stopped by and visited with Bill
on his extra job. There was a James Coney
Island across the freeway from the bank,
and I went across and got us some hot
dogs there, and brought them back to the
bank, and Bill and I ate lunch together in
the bank’s lunch room a few times. This
was like remembering old times.
In August 1964, I got married to my wife,
Georgia, at a Catholic Wedding Mass, at
St. Anne Catholic Church in Southwest
Houston. Even though Bill Carmical and
I were no longer riding together, I chose
him to be one of my five groomsmen in
our wedding. Bill was a devout Baptist,
but I was proud that he thought enough
of me to serve in my wedding.
Low and behold, Bill and I apprehended
two white male burglars that night who
had broken into an office building on
Eastside Street near W. Alabama, across
the street from the rear of Lamar Senior
High School. The burglars had also stolen
a car, and it was recovered also. What a
way to remember old times from riding
together in the past.
Bill finally retired from HPD in 1994, having 36
years of service. I only saw him one more
time after that, at one of Retired Officer
Roy LeCompte’s picnics near Alvin, Texas.
Bill and I went our separate ways in
separate parts of town, and did not see
each other very much, until the Texas
Southern University riots happened in 1965
or 1966 (1967).
Bill and I did not see each other again
for several years, and I retired from
HPD in 1984, and went to work as an
investigator for the Harris County District
Attorneys Office.
Bill finally passed away on June 23, 2012,
and his funeral was at Forest Park East
Funeral Home in Webster,TX. In his time on
the department, he set a very outstanding
example of what a good police officer
should be. He broke in many officers during
his time, and will not ever be forgotten by
myself and by many others he had contact
with on the job. Bill was not a member of
HPROA at the time of his death.
16
Birthdays & Anniversaries
OCTOBER
1, 1936
1, 1942
2, 1946
5, 1962
7, 1956
11th 11th
11th
12, 1935
13th 13th
15, 1994
16, 1945
16th Joan A. Fain
Joe L. Oatis
Judy Harrison
Pat and Wayne Williams
Cal and Kathy Ruffino
Kay Easterling
Billie Shelton
Ed Whitehead
Bob Olson
Judy Smith
Carman Brumley
Nancy and Jerry Chrisman
Willie Harrison
Georgia Gibson
Send us your dates!
[email protected]
NOVEMBER
18, 1958
18th
20, 1973
23, 1942
23, 1942
23, 1960
24th 24, 1958
26, 1932
27, 1929
29, 1938
29, 1939
31, 1924
31, 1966
Margie and Randy Sillavan
Jerry Chrisman
Jo and Ken DeFoor
Jerry DeFoor
Mary Lou Tharling
John and Tin Gonzales
Sue Foehner
Joan and Billy Fain
Constance Ann Zoch
Leroy N. Zoch
Anthony (Tony) Vento
Dorothy Roberts
Arden W. Lynch
Sheila and Jim Gratz
2, 1996
6th
7th
8, 1959
9, 1991
11, 1950
11, 1960
11th
11, 1943
12, 1933
21, 1931
23, 1930
23, 1941
25th
29th
29th
Sue and Nelson Foehner
Guy McMenemy
Don Gibson
Lil and Weldon Tiedt
Bebe and Bill Elkin
Margarete and Ed. Brossman
Kenneth and Beverly Ross
Debbie Artz
M.C. Dignowity
Darrell Adams
Lloyd H. Smith
D.I. Baker
E.W. Godfrey
Virginia Hall
Sharlot J. Sumner
Sheila Gratz
17
18
HPD Class #21 Reunion
September 22, 2012
On the morning of June 1, 1959 seventy young men started
their studies as cadets in class #21 at the Houston Police
Academy located at 61 Riesner Street in Houston, Texas.
Of these seventy cadets, sixty-nine were commissioned as
Probationary Patrolman on August 31, 1959 at a graduation
ceremony at the Houston Music Hall. Having shed their khaki
cadet uniforms, on September 1, 1959 these young men
started their careers as police officers for the City of Houston
in various divisions.
Of these sixty-nine officers, forty-nine were honorably retired
after various lengths of service. Class #21 has had several
reunions over the years.
On September 22, 2012 a 53rd Anniversary reunion at
Goode BBQ Company, on the Northwest Freeway, was held.
Eleven retirees were in attendance of the twenty-two living
classmates. Those attending were: Don Barnard, Don Cotten,
Jon Dunn, David Galindo, Raymond Garcia, Robert Linder,
Arden Lynch, Tommy Mitchell, Jim Montero, Lloyd “Smitty“
Smith, and Fred Walschburger.
All the class members received a coffee cup with a logo
of class #21, and there was an abundance of door prizes
thanks to Don and Barbara Cotten.
CALL (713) 802-2967
TO JOIN HPROA TODAY
Blue Heart Award
By Nelson Zoch
Recently, Retired HPD Detective George Neal received a
BLUE HEART Award at an HPD Awards ceremony at the Police
Academy. His Supervisor at the time of this incident, now Retired
Sergeant Guy McMenemy, recommended him for this award
and Homicide Sergeant Paul Motard prepared the necessary
paperwork for submission to the Chief of Police.
The incident which took place nearly forty-three years ago, was
written up as follows:
On the night of October 16, 1969, Officer Neal and several
other Vice Officers were working the area around 75th Street
and Navigation in an attempt to make solicitation cases on
area prostitutes. The Vice officers split into two groups and
documented several solicitation incidents. During the arrest
phase of the operation, the Officers observed an approaching
vehicle occupied by at least two females. The Officers recognized
one of the females in the car as a prostitute they wanted to
arrest. The Officers stepped forward with flashlights and badges
displayed and announced they were Police Officers.
Instead of slowing to a stop, the driver of the car accelerated
at the Officers. As the suspect vehicle drove by, the driver fired
one or more shots from a small caliber revolver at the Officers
standing nearby. Officer Neal was struck in the chest.
Officer Neal was transported to Ben Taub Hospital where it
was learned that he had been shot on one side of his chest.
The bullet traversed to the other side of the chest and exited.
Fortunately for Officer Neal, the bullet did not enter the rib
cage.
Homicide Detectives Pierce and Gamino conducted the
investigation and filed a police report under case number
X-87954. The female suspect, Marjorie Bryant, was sentenced
to two years in the Texas Prison System. She was forty-three
years old at the time of the shooting and records indicate she
passed away in 2002. Included in Ms. Bryant’s lengthy arrest
record were arrests for Murder and Aggravated Robbery.
Officer Neal retired from HPD in August, 1983 and had a
successful second career teaching Criminal Justice at South
Houston High School. He currently resides in Bacliff, Texas.
RetiredBadge
THE
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20
The Shotgun Corner
By M.D. Beale, Jr.
Fall is falling but it still has a ways to go.
Right now it’s mid-September and still
warm but cooler than it has been. Fall has
always been my favorite time of year.
Memories and nostalgia are okay,
especially of times in the field hunting, but
when I think about how things really were
when I was growing up I don’t think I’d
really want to go back to living like that.
Specifically medicine is so much more
advanced and while it ain’t perfect by
any stretch of the imagination it’s light
years ahead of 1950. Folks live longer now
– whether that’s good or not depends on
your point of view – and generally are able
to get around better longer. When I was
a small lad a 65 year old person was old
and few lived through their 70’s. Anyone
100 years old was world news, literally.
Today life insurance actuarial tables run
out to 110 years old and there’s a number
of people making it to that age.
The upshot of all of this is that folks can
enjoy life in general and hunting in
particular years longer. I saw Brother
Everett Williams at church last Sunday.
He’ll be 95 in October – the same age
my Dad would have been – and we’re
planning on going down to George West
later this dove season and shoot some
birds together.
His dad, Brother Cyrus Ray Williams was
almost a 100 when he passed away and
was hunting up to about 97 years of age.
Some thirty years ago when Brother Ray
was in his 80’s and early 90’s we’d go
duck hunting down south of El Campo at
Midfield. Brother Ray told me that his family
was one of the original “first” families that
moved to what is now Pasadena.
I believe he was born there, one of the
first, in the 1890’s, but I could be wrong
about that. Pasadena was nothing but
flat salt grass prairie, bayous and marsh
back then.
He told me that when he was a young
man he would hunt ducks with a double
barrel hammer gun with black powder
shells. All the wet and cold weather gear
he had was a pair of regular black rubber
boots, blue jeans, an old coat and cap
and you really had to be hungry or love
duck hunting to go outside dressed like
that when there was ice on the ponds.
On cold winter days, especially when
there was no wind and the ducks were
rafted up, he’d sneak up as close as he
could and when the ducks lifted off –
there were hundreds of them at times –
he’d fire first one barrel then the second
through the thick smoke of the first. He’d
then quickly bend down and look below
the heavy smoke haze that just hung in
the cold air totally blocking his view and
watch the ducks fall so he’d know where
to go pick them up. There was no limit or
regulation back then but all of the ducks
ended up on a dinner table somewhere
anyway.
Even later when his palsy was pronounced
amazingly his shaking would stop when
he shouldered his gun and swung on a
bird. His swing was as smooth as silk and
as accurate as anybody’s.
Genetics play a part in all of this but
there’s a lot of help from modern
medicine and technology. You don’t
have to follow a pair of mules to farm this
day and age or cut wood with an axe
unless you just enjoy doing it that way.
The same goes for hunting with a bow or
antique firearms.
South zone dove season opens in 4 days
and Gunny Rock is locked on “ready”.
The reports are that there’s a lot of dove in
south Texas right now but dove are as fickle
as a politician’s promise. Good weather is
prophesied for a change. Maybe Gunny
Rock and I can get a few next weekend.
I still enjoy the shooting but I’m not nearly
as aggressive about it as I used to be. I’m
thinking I’ll shoot my “baby” guns during
the early days if there are a lot of birds.
There’s just something more satisfying now
about a few birds with a .410 than a bag
full with anything else. We’ll have to see
how it goes. I’d like to get to the range
a couple of times before then to practice
with the little guns. They definitely swing
different than the bigger ones and I have
to shoot them a bunch to “get into the
swing of things” with them.
I can use the 28 gauge, but the truth be told,
it’s as effective on upland birds as anything
else out to 40 yards which is about as far as
I can hit anything anymore anyway. It’s
the most efficient gauge around I think. If
the birds are wild or few I’ll pull it out, but if
there’s enough I’m thinking the little guns
will be just the ticket. I’ll just keep the shots
inside the 30 yard mark and call it even.
Thanksgiving is coming, too, and I think it’s
the most important holiday we have. In
my humble opinion if it wasn’t for God’s
divine intervention throughout history the
USA wouldn’t be here. We sure need to
remember to say Thank You. Abraham
Lincoln thought it was important enough
to start the holiday and I think we ought
to celebrate it as originally intended.
Talk about memories – just think of those
Thanksgiving days of years gone by… it
doesn’t get any better than that.
Gunny Rock and I’ll see you in the field.
Out and About with Dot
We have been home about a month and
Chuck said it was time to hit the road
again. I guess I worked him too hard while
at home. He is “the boss” so I said O.K.
We left on July 8th for Fredericksburg. We
stayed at Fredericksburg R.V. Park. We had
nothing special planned...just wanted to
get away. The park was pretty empty...
mainly full time folks that stay through the
summer.
My sister, Ruth came over one day and
she and I went downtown and went
through a few shops. At our age we can’t
make too many places as we get tired,
but as Chuck says....” It’s not age, it’s just
miles”. We came back to the park and
picked Chuck up and he took us out to
lunch, which is expected of him. We had
a good day.
One day Chuck and I drove over to
Bandera and surprised the folks at Skyline.
We had a really nice visit. On another day
we went to Comfort to see Lamar and
Dee Kimble.
We didn’t give them much notice so
they couldn’t leave. We went to town in
Comfort to a new cafe called Sandy’s
Diner. It was very, very good. Had a good
time with the Kimbles.
The first week we were in Fredericksburg it
rained nearly every afternoon which was
a welcome sight, that’s for sure.
We also took a drive to Buchanan Dam
and saw signs for an rv park. So we followed
the signs and came up to a locked gate.
Chuck pushed the button and a woman
answered and Chuck told her we wanted
to see the park so she opened the gate
and then took us on a tour in her little golf
cart. I can’t remember the name of the
park but it is very nice and is right on the
lake. The park is for Seniors only which is
no problem but you better stock up on
groceries because otherwise you would
have to drive about 30 miles just to get
milk and bread. Chuck and I decided that
if we were trying to hide from someone it
would be fine.
21
We took off for Luckenbach one Friday
afternoon and when we got there it was
so crowded we didn’t even get out of the
car. We saw a sign that said Dance starts
at 7:00pm. Well, it was about 3:00 and
people were standing around with a beer
in their hand waiting to get in. I think I saw
Nelson there with a beer in each hand. Sorry
Nelson.
We had to buy some peaches since they
were everywhere and they were oh so good
but fairly small and kind of “pricey”.
We got home on July 22nd and had a really
good trip, but now we have been home
a month and guess who is getting really
“antsy” to leave again so we are leaving
Sunday the 26th of August for Bandera and
will be gone about three weeks. But that’s OK
because we have gotten a lot done around
the house and we are ready for some R&R.
Everyone take care and hope to see you in
Fredericksburg at the reunion.
- Dot
22
Tales from the Piney Woods
By Chuck Smith
The title of my article is somewhat
misleading this time. I am not in the Piney
Woods, but rather sitting down here in
the Hill Country of Texas. We will be here
for three weeks and then return home
to catch up on chores again. Before we
left home I spent a little time with LeRoy
and Clyde. Would you believe they
have not been up to anything lately?
I know that’s hard to swallow but they
swear it’s true. I told them that I, along
with the folks that read this article, were
very disappointed. They said they would
try harder next time.
I talked to D.A. Bolton before we
left for Bandera and he said he and
Darlene would meet us there. They
got to the park shortly after we did
and I got to see his new rig.. Now
D.A. changes his R.V.s quite often.
The last time we camped together
he had a real nice Motor home. Now
he has a real nice 5th wheel and a
new truck! I ask him why he got rid of
his motor home and he told me he
missed having a truck.
Well he now has a “high end” 5th wheel
and a new Ford diesel with all the bells
and whistles...except...he does not have
any chrome spotlights on it! Yes, he does
have mudflaps. but no spotlights! In some
ways he reminds me of “three slide”
Orville Walker. He and Vernetta were our
old camping buddies and Orville had to
“upgrade” when something new came
along. I sure do miss Orville.
Last week a “rally group” came in and
they almost filled the park. Sometimes it’s
fun watching them. I was kicked back in
my chair, watching all the campers when
I noticed a couple across the way. They
had a water hose hooked up and were
washing a rug spread out on the ground.
She had a brush and would scrub the
rug (rhymes, doesn’t it) and he had the
hose and was rinsing it off. This lady had
on short shorts and they were pulled tight.
Now, picture this, she bent over, way over,
and her rear end was stuck up in the air
and her husband was behind her with a
water hose! I was thinking, spray her, spray
her, but he just stood there, some people
have no sense of adventure. I, on the other
hand, have been getting in trouble with
water hoses ever since I was a youngster.
If that had been Dot and I, you can just
imagine what would have taken place.
I would have soaked her! She most likely
would have killed me but it would have
been fun while it lasted.
We drove over to Ingram and visited with
Louise Burke and her daughter-in-law
Malinda Burke. For you that don’t remember,
Louise is A.J.(gotch-eye) Burke’s widow.
Louise has a beautiful home and can sit on
her front porch and see the Guadalupe River.
Is that great or not. Louise has had some
health issues but is doing much better and
wanting to get back to fishing. Some of you
old heads should give her a call sometime, I
know she would love to hear from you.
I tried to get in touch with Lamar and Dee
Kimble but they must have gotten wind we
were coming up and left town again. But
we are going to be here another week and
I will slip up on them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the
Reunion in Fredericksburg..
God bless our Troops and Wounded
Warriors..Don’t forget to VOTE..and.. God
Bless America !!
NEW TOYOTAS
• $186.00 Over Cost
• No Games or Haggling
• No Matter Where You Live
Contact
CHUCK SIMMONS
For Details
(281) 703 - 5115
HPROA Annual Election Day
Thursday, August 9, 2012, was the
HPROA annual election day. On this
day, the previously mailed ballots were
counted by a committee headed up
by Retired Lieutenant E.J. Smith. Thanks
to E.J. and all of his faithful volunteers.
President, Steve Rayne
Re - Elected
2nd Vice President, Medwin Beale
Max Lankford chose not to run again
Secretary, Sue Gaines
Re - Elected
23
These three new members of the Board
replaced Gene Yanchak and Ed Campbell,
both of whom chose not to run again and the
deceased Dale Bashaw. The HPROA wishes to
thank Max Lankford, Gene Yanchak, and Ed
Campbell for their service to the Association.
Board Member, Jim Ashby
There were no challenged positions this
year, but according to HPROA by-laws,
an election is required each year. This
year, the following positions were on
the ballot:
Re - Elected
Board Member, Bobby Barnard
Elected
Board Member, Steve Toth
Elected
Board Member, Jack Harris
Elected
A delicious, as usual, Bar-B-Q brisket and
sausage meal with all of the trimmings was
enjoyed. This was catered by HPROA member
Harvey Trigg of Trigg’s Catering. Thanks,
Harvey. Harvey also owns and operates the
Humble Inn on Old FM 1960 in Humble.
24
HPROA Event Calender
October - November - December 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
HPOU General Membership Meeting
Thursday, November 8, 2012
HPOPS Board Meeting
HPOPS Meeting
8:30am HPROA Board Meeting
9:30am General Membership Meeting
Saturday, October 27, 2012
9am, FREDERICKSBURG REUNION
If staying over, make your reservations very soon.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
HPOPS Board Meeting
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR HPROA!
This is Your Retired Badge
Any member or family member of HPROA is allowed and encouraged to submit articles for publication in this
newspaper. Opinions, events, war stories, family announcements... all are welcome and enjoyed by our members.
Submissions will only be edited as necessary to protect your HPROA from legal liabillity.
CALL (713) 802-2967
TO JOIN HPROA TODAY
Retiree Roundup
25
RETIRED OFFICERS ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
FOREST TURBERVILLE • NELSON FOEHNER • DELVIN KENDRICK • DOUG BOSTOCK
There is probably nothing more precious than the gift of friendship. Just take some time to contact your friends and let them know
how much they mean to you... relive your memories, share in your joys and pass on a smile and hug. Your call, visit, and smile might
be the best medicine that they receive that helps them make it through the day. Keep these retirees in your prayers and let us
know when we have a retiree who is in need of our thoughts, prayers, and assistance.
September 17, 2012
Sharon “Sherry” Sybert: (6-12-12 nf)
Jim Flagg reports that his sister, Sherry
Sybert, wife of Phil Sybert, both members,
is hospitalized in Bayshore hospital
recovering from a blood clot in her lung.
They have since discovered a mass in the
hip area which appears to be malignant
pending a biopsy. Remember Sherry
and Phil in your prayers. Sherry is in room
#4026.
Monty L. Montgomery, father of
HPD Chaplin Monty B. Montgomery:
6-12-12 - (information from Toni DeWillis
(HPOPS) to Forrest). He is confined in the
St. Luke’s Hospital in the Medical Center.
Doctors have found a mass on his lungs
and have taken a biopsy to find out what
this mass is. The family has requested for
all to keep Mr. Montgomery in our daily
prayers.
Delvin Kendrick: 6-12-12 - (Carolyn
(wife) to Forrest - Delvin has had heart
problems several years) Carolyn reports
that last night while asleep that Delvin’s
defibulator “went off” and it shocked
his heart back into rhythm (which
woke them up) She took him to St.
Luke’s Hospital (medical Center) to the
emergency room. This is where he is at
this time waiting on a room to occupy.
Carolyn will keep updated on Delvin’s
progress and please keep Delvin and
Carolyn in your daily prayers.
Forrest Turbeville: (6-14-12nf) Forrest
Don Weaver: (6-18-12 nf) Don has been
was admitted to Willowbrook Methodist
Hospital late this afternoon diagnosed
as having had a mini-stroke. A cat scan
revealed a small blood clot in the right
temple. An MRI is scheduled for Friday
AM followed by a visit from a neurologist
and will likely be released after that.
18222 Tomball Pkwy,281-477-1000, Room
6422. Lift up your prayers for Forrest and
Sue. UPDATE: (6-16-12 nf) After being
hospitalized for a mini-stroke Thursday, a
battery of tests, scans and an MRI were
done. The results of those tests revealed
a 90% blockage in the right carotid
artery. Corrective surgery will be either
early Monday or Tuesday morning. All
other tests were in the normal range.
Continue to pray for Forrest and Sue.
UPDATE: (6-18-12 nf) Forrest underwent
surgery this morning at Willowbrook
Methodist to remove blockage in his
right carotid artery.
moved from Kindred hospital, Medical
Center, to Cypresswood Healthcare and
Rehab Center, 10851 Crescent Moon off
of Jones Rd & Fallbrook. Donna reports
that Don is doing much better and the
move will allow Don and Donna to rest
better and hopefully get Don home soon.
We visited with Don briefly by phone and
he appeared to be tired and his words
were spoken slowly as though it took
good concentration to talk. He said he
would not be taking phone calls for a
while yet but I know a visit might give
him a boost. Keep Don in you prayers.
Doctors report that surgery went well
without complication. This afternoon he
was resting, still under some sedation.
Sue reports that the surgeon checked
by and was pleased with outcome of
surgery and that Forrest should rebound
in the weeks to come. Please remember
Forrest in your prayers. UPDATE: (6-21-12
nf) Forrest was released from hospital
on Tuesday 6-19-12 and is now at home
recovering from his surgery. His activities
will be restricted for about 4 weeks while
in recovery. Give him a call and continue
to keep him in your daily prayers.
Jack Miller: (6-23-12 nf) Jack reports
that he had a cat scan of his shoulder
which he injured recently. The CAT
scan picked up a tumor at the base of
his skull. Further cat scans will be done
next Wednesday at Kelsey Seybold on
Holcombe. Initial prognosis is that the
tumor is not malignant. Jack asks for
your prayers as more tests and scans are
done.
Sherry Sybert: (6-24-12 nf) Sherry was
released from the Hospital yesterday
after a 2 week stay. She has lung and
bone cancer. They found a mass in the
hip and two masses in the right lung. They
will be going to Texas Oncology Tuesday
or Wednesday to talk about starting
treatments. Phil, her husband, asked for
your prayers. Info per Phil Sybert.
26
David H. Carlos: 6-24-12 - Davis Kalich
to Forrest) We received information that
David was admitted into the Herman
Memorial Hospital (Intermediate Care) in
Humble, Tx yesterday, 6-23-12,.with blood
clots in both lungs. He has had blood
problems for some time. The doctors state
that they have this under control BUT as
a cautionary measure they are going to
install a mesh type screen to keep the
clots from going to the heart. Once this
is done, he will remain in the hospital for
about 5 more days. David Kalich will keep
us updated on his progress. Pease keep
David and family in your daily prayers.
Jack Miller: (6-29-12 nf) Jack reports that
the results of an MRI revealed that the tumor
at the base of his skull was NOT malignant.
Further tests are scheduled for next week.
Jack is still dealing with major pain in his back
and hip. Remember him in your prayers.
Randy Grounds: (6-29-12 nf) After falling
at his home, Randy was taken to St. Lukes,
Med. Center and had a hip replacement
due to broken bone in the hip area. Randy
is diabetic, has had one foot amputated
and will likely lose the other. He fell earlier
and injured the leg where the prostheses
is fitted. He was wheel chair bound when
this latest fall occurred. Randy had to retire,
with his 20 years in, due to the diabetes
and other medical complications. Keep
Randy in your daily prayers.
Tommy Turner: (6-29-12 nf) Tommy gives
his personal report on his battle with
cancer - Hello, I finished my sixth round
of chemotherapy on June 1st, and I
had a PET scan this week that showed a
continued decrease in the cancer, with
only few new nodules in the upper portion
of my right lung.
My Oncologist said that she is very
pleased with the results. I will not receive
any treatments during July and August
so that I can have cataract surgery on
both eyes. I will get another PET scan
at the end of August, and depending
on what that PET scan reveals, will
determine whether or not I will have to
continue the chemotherapy treatments.
I haven’t sent out any updates the past
couple of months because in April I had
to have surgery on my left eye to repair
a detached retina. Also, I was in the
hospital a few days recently because my
white blood cell count dropped too low,
but they are back to normal now, and I
am feeling better. Thank you all for your
prayers, support, and help during this time,
and I wish all of you a very happy and
safe July 4th holiday!! God bless, Tommy
Karen Henley: (7-2-12 nf) Roy reports that
his wife fought two rounds of cancer in
1996-1997. As a result of the 35 radiation
treatments to treat a brain tumor, her
physical and mental abilities have been
on the decline over the past 3 years. Due
to physical instabilities she was admitted to
Granite Mesa Health Center in Marble Falls
on May 9, 2012 for physical/occupational
therapy. Sadly, she does not seem to be
making any headway. Not knowing what
the future holds, Roy has asked that Karen
be placed on the HPROA prayer list that
she might have recovery and healing.
Randy Grounds: (7-2-12 nf) Randy was
released from St. Lukes yesterday after
hip replacement surgery. We visited on
the phone and he said he is mending but
taking pain medication regularly for relief
and dealing with other diabetic problems.
Keep Randy in your daily prayers.
He continues to be on dialysis and other
diabetic medications. Marvin is 85 years
old and retired in the 1970’s. Rose asked
that old friends call or come by to visit.
713-252-3262
THE LOVE OF A LIVING GOD
Remember, God is willing and waiting
to carry each of us through the tough
times. Someone’s kind words encourage
us. Let’s be careful to speak words of
encouragement to others.
DEATHS DURING MONTH OF
JUNE 2012
Benjamin D. Bashaw (Retired HPROA
Member)
June 5, 2012
Robert Leo Horton, Jr. (Retired HPROA
Member)
June 7, 2012
Margie Adamson (Mother of HPROA
Member John S. Adamson)
June 11, 2012
Terry D. Muckleroy
Member)
June 13, 2012
(Retired
HPROA
Douglas R. Boyer (Retiree)
June 20, 2012
Carolyn Jordy (HPROA Member and
Surviving Spouse of Bennie Jordy)
June 21, 2012
Betty Sue Horn (Surviving Spouse of Retiree
David J. Horn)
June 23, 2012
Marvin Ellison: (7-3-12 nf) We visited with
William F. Carmical (Retiree)
June 25, 2012
Rose Ellison this morning who reports that
Marvin was admitted to Nexus Specialty
Center, 123 Vision Park, Shenandoah
some two weeks ago with kidney failure.
Jessie M. Hoffmaster (Mother of Retired
HPROA Member Larry W. Hoffmaster)
June 2012
7-9-12 (Forrest) Email message as received
from member John Gallemore regarding
illness of SHERWOOD JETT-Talked with Mrs.Jeanette Jett who said
she is taking Sherwood to the doctor
tomorrow and that his health and hearing
continues to worsen. She said she would
have Sherwood call me. Will advise after
he calls.—Update Talked to Sherwood
07.09.12. It is obvious from his comments
that telephone calls mean a great deal
to him. Even with mounting physical
challenges, Sherwood continues to project
his positive and happy manner. Please
keep Sherwood and Jeanette in your daily
prayers. (Pho number 281-389-2092)
Sherry Sybert:
(7-10-12 nf) Husband
Phil’s report. Sherry was in Bayshore for
2 weeks. I got her home & she couldn’t
sleep for a full week & was in extreme pain
constantly. I took her to Texas Oncology
& they had her come back the next day.
We talked with 2 doctors then & they took
one X-ray & the doctor told me she had a
broken hip only 10 minutes later. I put her
in Palestine hospital 30 minutes later & Dr
Norton operated on her & replaced her
left hip ball & I brought he hone Friday.
She went back to doctor today & is
doing better. She has to go back to Texas
Oncology Thursday & may start radiation
or chemo then. They will let us know then.
Her cancer is in her bones & lung & has
spread to her left side. Thank ya’ll for the
prayers & we will keep you updated. Lift
up your prayers for Sherry and Phil.
E-Mail message as received from:
A.P. Smith – 7-17-12 (Forrest)
On July 30th I will have surgery on my
right foot. About 5 or 6 months ago the
VA in Little Rock was to do this surgery, but
canceled telling me they did not think I
would live thru it.
The doctor I am using in Hot Springs is
sure he can do it with no problem. Be
glad to get it done. This foot has caused
me pain and problems for 36 yrs.
E-mail message update as received from
John Gallemore to Forrest (7-18-12)
UPDATE on illness and treatment of John
Gallemore :
Put this out last evening: The News is
good! The results of the P.E.T. Scan:7580% improvement. Left lung no sign of
activity... it appeared on first P.E.T. Scan
but was never an area of concern.....
is not now.....Lymph node center front
waist area - was a “hot spot” area...now
classified as “ no activity” ... it simply is
not seen now. right lung tumor was
major concern and is now declared to
be 75-80% clear. I suspect we will go into
a maintenance mode now!
Will switch soon to chemo by pill as
a maintenance regimen. Advised
downside is that it causes acne. Will
again will be dealing with a school
girl complexion..... you know...... “just
clearing up!”....... There is absolutely no
way we can ever thank all the Prayer
Warriors... first of all there are people
unknown to us who have been praying
for me...people as far away as Japan
have been praying for me.... there are
also people whom I know praying for me
at times unknown to me.... How indebted
I am!!!!! Thank you all for blessing me in so
many ways........ The journey continues.....
In His Hands....but we all are, aren’t we,
whether or not we acknowledge we
are ....!!! Please keep John in your daily
prayers for continued success in his fight
against this cancer.
Randy Grounds: (7-19-12 - Nelson) We
visited with Randy on 7-18 and delivered
a power chair (Hooveround) to him.
27
Randy suffers with diabetes, has had one
foot amputated, a kidney transplant and
recently had a hip replacement after
falling while trying to walk with his new
prosthesis, all this within the last couple of
years. The power chair will allow him more
mobility in and out of his house in LaPorte.
He is in good spirits and has a positive
attitude looking ahead. Please lift up your
prayers for Randy that he would regain
good health.
E-mail message as received from Ron
Headley 7-28-12
Alfred Lotz – (Ron Headley – 7-28-12) I
have in been contact with Al Lotz and
he stated that he was advised by his
doctor that he has 90% blockage of his
right carotid artery in his neck and that
within the next 10 days the doctor wants
to place a stent in the artery to open
it up. The doctor told him it is a good
thing he is in such good shape because
he was headed for a major stroke. Al
rides long distances on a bicycle and
participates in the MS Bicycle ride to
Austin each year to raise funds for MS. Al
has also been having problems with his
back, but is taking a series of injections to
relieve the pain. He stated he is hoping
the injections will keep him from having
to have his back operated on also.
Please keep him in your prayers. (update
8-27) - Al was contacted by phone
and he stated that he had surgery last
Thursday, August 23, placing a stent in his
carotid artery that was 90% blocked. He
stated the surgery went well and that by
Saturday, Sept. 1, he will be able to get
back to his long distance bicycle riding,
working out, and playing golf. Al, also
takes care of his mother, who is in her
eighties. She stated that she has been
diagnosed with cancer and is not doing
well. Please keep him and his mother in
your prayers.
28
John W. Harris: (8-28-12 nf) Newly elected
HPROA Board member John Harris is a
patient at Memorial City Hospital waiting
to be transferred to Memorial Hermann,
Medical Center for further evaluation.
John has been diagnosed with Thrombosis
in liver disease (Blood clot) and will have
to undergo a liver transplant within 60
days to survive. Further information will be
available after evaluations over the next
few days. Lift up your prayers for John and
his family.
REASONING THOUGHTS
“There are two ways to conquer and
enslave a nation – one by the sword and
the other by debt.” - John Adams
“When injustice becomes law - - then
resistance becomes duty.”
- Thomas Jefferson
“You cannot strengthen the weak by
weakening the strong.”
- Abraham Lincoln
DEATHS DURING MONTH OF
JULY 2012
Kenneth W. Ward (Retiree)
July 4, 2012
Misty Michelle Holland (Sister to Member
of R.W. Holland and Niece to Retired
Member D.L. Hendrickson)
July 6, 2012
Freddy L. Guidry (Retiree)
July 10, 2012
Emily J. Humphrey (Wife of Retired
Member Richard C. Humphrey)
July 9, 2012
Joseph G. (Joe) Eckenrode (Retired
Member)
July 21, 2012
Robert H. (Bob) Warkentin: 8-15-12
- (Gwen Warkentin to Forrest) Gwen
called and stated that “Bob” has had
emphsema for the past 10 years and has
been on oxygen during this time. Stated
that they made application for him to
be put on the lung transplant list about
a year ago. He had to undergo many
tests to make sure that he was able to
withstand such an operation. They were
notified about 10 days ago that he had
been approved for a lung transplant and
that he needed to be no further from
Methodist Hospital than an hour if and
when they found a lung for him.
UPDATE: 8-12-12 - They received a phone
call from Methodist Hospital stating that
they had found a lung and for them
to come on in at once. He underwent
the surgical lung transplant and came
through the surgery very good and was
placed in ICU. He was transferred today
(8-15-12) to Intermediate Care Unit in the
Dunn Tower at Methodist to room #420
(pho, in room is713-790-6921) They have
been trying to “wean” him off oxygen (off
and on) since surgery. Gwen’s cell phone
713-882-4048. Please keep “Bob” in your
daily prayers for a complete recovery.
E-mail message from a Member regarding
Update on Robert H. Warkentin (Forrest)
Tuesday August 21st-A member visited
Bob this afternoon; Bob was sitting up
in a chair and appears to be feeling
much better from his surgery. He was
told that he may be moved to another
section of the Methodist Hospital for his
conditioning and rehab on Wednesday.
He still welcomes any visitors and/or
telephone calls. He thanks everyone for
their prayers.
He stated that he would let me know
when they actually schedule the
surgery.
UPDATE: 8-27 - (Ron Headly)- Al was
contacted by phone and he stated
that he had surgery last Thursday,
August 23, placing a stent in his carotid
artery that was 90% blocked. He
stated the surgery went well and that
by Saturday, Sept. 1, he will be able to
get back to his long distance bicycle
riding, working out, and playing golf.
Al, also takes care of his mother, who
is in her eighties. She stated that she
has been diagnosed with cancer and
is not doing well. Please keep him and
his mother in your prayers.
John W. Harris: (8-28-12 nf) Newly
elected HPROA Board member John
Harris is a patient at Memorial City
Hospital waiting to be transferred to
Memorial Hermann, Medical Center
for further evaluation. John has been
diagnosed with Thrombosis in liver
disease(Blood clot) and will have to
undergo a liver transplant within 60
days to survive. Further information
will be available after evaluations
over the next few days. Lift up your
prayers for John and his family.
UPDATE:
(8-29-12 nf) Jack was
transferred to Memorial Hermann,
Med Center, this afternoon where
he will undergo tests & evaluation.
He states that the plan is for him to
complete his testing and will then be
released to go home with a pager
to notify him when a transplant liver
is available. His room #927, 713-7044000. Continue to lift up your prayers
for Jack and family.
Al Lotz: (8-15-2012 R.H.) I called and
checked to see if there was any progress
on his surgery on his carotid artery and he
stated that he is still waiting for his doctor
to schedule his surgery.
E-mail message to M.D. Beale from Phillip
Sybert regarding Sharon Sybert:
UPDATE: Sharon Sybert –(Forrest) 9-2-12
-I am doing fine but she isn’t feeling well
at all the last few days. We were going to
come to the luncheon last week but I got
some kind of infection in a finger & had to
go to the doctor @ have it operated on.
She is done with her radiation & started
her Chemo last week. She will take it every
3 weeks as it stands now. We hope we can
come to the next luncheon but will have
to wait & see. Thanks for keeping up with
us. Pds Please keep Sharon and Phillip in
your daily prayers. (FWT)
DEATHS DURING THE MONTH OF
AUGUST 2012
Raymond E. (Ray), (Krampota Member)
August 7, 2012
Joan Fain (Surviving Spouse of Deceased
Member Billy D. Fain Who Died April 12,
2012)
August 6, 2012
Terry Gately (Daughter of Retired Member
Gerry “Spider” Fincher)
August 8, 2012
Delma R. Colley (Retired Member and
Surviving Spouse of Deceased Captain
Leon Colley)
August 11, 2012
Dorothy Clinton (Mother of Retired Member
John E. Clinton)
August 14, 2012
Ernest J. Arredondo (Retiree)
August 22, 2012
Ray H. Ross (Member)
August 25, 2012
Frances “Fran” Linder (Wife of Retiree
Robert W. Linder)
August 25, 2012
Theo Isabel Lott (Former Spouse of
Member B.G. Lott and Mother of Retired
Member Lt. D.G. Lott and Active Officer
and Member B.D. Lott)
August 30, 2012
REMEMBER . . .
“To conquer a nation, first, disarm its
citizens.” - Adolf Hitler, 1933
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but
if you want to test his character, give him
power.” - Abraham Lincoln
“He that is good for making excuses is
seldom good for anything else.”
- Benjamin Franklin
E-mail message to M.D. Beale from Phillip
Sybert regarding Sharon Sybert:
UPDATE: Sharon Sybert –9-2-12 – (Forrest)
I am doing fine but she isn’t feeling well
at all the last few days. We were going to
come to the luncheon last week but I got
some kind of infection in a finger & had to
go to the doctor and have it operated on.
She is done with her radiation & started her
Chemo last week. She will take it every 3
weeks as it stands now. We hope we can
come to the next luncheon but will have
to wait & see. Thanks for keeping up with
us. Pds Please keep Sharon and Phillip in
your daily prayers. (FWT)
Jack Harris: (9-10-12 nf) We visited with
Jack’s wife by phone this morning and
she reports that Jack now at home and
his case is still under evaluation by the
transplant team. They will meet with the
team again this Wednesday who should
make a decision Friday as to whether
or not the risk are too great for Jack to
undergo transplant surgery.
29
Jack is mobile and moving around, using
a walker at times and still weak. They are
so thankful for the thoughts, prayers and
kindnesses extended to them during his
illness. Continue to lift up your prayers for
them, they have a long ways to go.
Don Weaver: (9-10-12 nf)
We visited
with wife Dorothy this morning and she
reports that Don has been home now for
a couple of weeks. Still weak but there is
some improvement. Uses a walker some.
Still has speech problems and they are
looking at a different speech therapy
for him. Don has lost a lot of weight and
she is trying to put some pounds on him.
After months in the hospital they are just
so thankful that he is at home, Continue
to pray for Don and Dorothy.
Barbara Harlan:
UPDATE: (9.12.12)-Forrest, I wanted to
give you an update on Barbara. She is
progressing quite well since her Cerebral
Hemorrage that occurred on Feb, 22,
2012. She still has vision problems (double
vision),as well as some dizziness, and
balance. She no longer needs a walker
to get around, but does require a quad
cane. She is continuing her therapy at
home which consists of stretching band
exercizes along with 20-30 min on an
exercize bike. She has an appointment
on Sept. 19 with her Neurologist who will
schedule one more Angio gram at St
Luke’s Medical Center. This procedure
requires her to be sedated and they will
inject dye through her femal artery up
to her brain They want be sure there are
no signs of any residual AVM that caused
her hemorrage in Feb This procedure
will take place either the end of Sept. or
the first of Oct. Again, I want to express
my heartfelt appreciation for all the
prayers and support that were shown
by this organization.
30
Robert (Bob) Henderson: (9-13-12 – (Delvin)
Received an email from Woody Phifer advising
HPROA member Robert (Bob) Henderson
is undergoing treatment for cancer at M.D.
Anderson Hospital. Called and talked to
Bob who said he has finished his 3rd chemo
treatment. Bob said he has angiosarcoma,
which is a rare but very aggressive form of
cancer. In May the surgeons removed a 31/4
lb. tumor & one of his adrenal glands.
He will undergo 3 regimens of chemo.
Each regimen is 8 treatments, 3 weeks
apart. Bob is in good spirits and at
peace with God. Please remember Bob
and his family in your daily prayers.
Dee stated that he was in Room 2251
and that Iffy was on the phone talking to
friends and relatives and she indicated
that he might be moved to another room
today. Lift up your prayers for Iffy. St. Lukes
number 832-355-1000
Iffy Flores: (9-14-12 ( Nelson) Dee Leal
reported last evening that Iffy Flores
was admitted to St. Lukes Hospital after
suffering a stroke. Tests indicated that
he had suffered two minor strokes prior
to this one.
DEATHS TO DATE IN SEPTEMBER 2012
Cora Wood (Mother in Law of Member
J.W. Douglass)
September 2012
PLEASE KEEP ALL OF OUR SICK AND SHUT-INS IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS
Don’t forget that our committee has medical equipment available for use. We have hospital beds, wheelchairs,
scooters, walkers, shower chairs, potty chairs, crutches, and walking canes. If you have information about a
retiree or family member that has a need for any of this equipment, PLEASE notify a member of the Retired
Officers Assistance Committee.
Our Committee Members are:
Forest Turbeville
281.356.8800
Delvin Kendrick
281.482.6418
Nelson Foehner
281.351.4669
Doug Bostock
281.890.7610
CALL (713) 802-2967
TO JOIN HPROA TODAY
RetiredBadge
THE
See us online at
w w w.h p d r e ti r e d . c o m
31
Killed in the Line of Duty
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
October 18, 1912
Joseph R. Free
November 08, 1937
Adolph Martial
October 18, 1933
Harry T. Mereness
November 30, 1955
Frank Kellogg
October 26, 1972
Jerry Leon Spruill
November 26, 1969
Kenneth W. Moody
October 10, 1975
Richard H. Calhoun
November 10, 1989
Florentino M. Garcia
October 02, 1980
Victor Ray Wells III
November 25, 1990
John A. Salvaggio
October 26, 2005
Rueben B. Deleon
November 12, 1994
David M. Healy
Jennifer Wells
Jennifer Wells, 44, passed away near Livingston, Texas on
Jennifer was survived by four children and one grandchild.
Also, by her Mother, Susanna, of Cleveland, Texas, and her
brother, Kevin Wells.
August 15, 2012.
Jennifer was the daughter of Detective Victor Ray Wells III,
who was KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY on October 2, 1980.
She was twelve years old at the time of her Dad’s death.
On Saturday, September 8, 2012, a committal service was
conducted at the Brookside Memorial Park Mausoleum,
Eastex Freeway and Lauder Road. Jennifer’s only surviving
uncle, Sammie Wells, conducted the service.
Ethel Mae Walker
March 22, 1920 - August 11, 2012
Obituary
Ethel Mae Walker was born march 22, 1920 in Galveston, Texas
to Fred and Alfreda Maser. She passed away on August 11, 2012.
Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband, James T.
Walker, who was a Houston police officer killed in the line of duty;
and her daughter, Barbara Ann Sullivan. She is survived by her
daughters, Jean Ann Moreland and husband, Tony; Tommye Lee
Fitzmorris and husband, Mike; Jayme Lynn Johnson and husband,
Rick; Son, James T. Walker, Jr and wife, Loretta; 15 grandchildren,
16 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host
of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Visitation
will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Heights
Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday,
August 15, 2012 at 2 pm in the chapel of Heights Funeral Home.
Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale cemetery in
Houston, Texas.
EDITORS NOTE:
Mrs. Walker was the widow of HPD Officer James T.
Walker, who passed away in the LINE OF DUTY on March
8, 1963. While I was never able to speak with Mrs. Walker,
I did speak several times with her children. They advised
that after completing the raising of her children, she
spent most of her remaining years in Florida and visited
frequently here in the Houston area with several more of
her children. She had been widowed for forty-nine years
and five months.
32
In Memorium
OCTOBER
1, 2005
3, 2001
3, 2004
6, 2000
9, 2003
10, 2003
12, 2001
15, 2004
18, 2000
22, 2003
23, 1985
23, 1999
23, 2003
25, 2001
27, 2001
29, 2003
30, 2000
30, 2000
James L. Cockerham
John A. Florio
H. Wayne Blalock
Herman Clyde Mackey
Elwood Leroy Hewitt
Cliff Foulds
D.D. Collins
Reinhardt J. Poehl
Charles M. Wells, Jr.
Howard Oldham
James R. McCafferty
Breck Porter Sr.
Travis Elmore Rogers
Harvey Daniel Gilbert
Irma L. Sauceda
Larry Boyd Smith
Otis Anderson
Edward Sherman Davidson
NOVEMBER
1, 2002
2, 1998
1, 2002
2, 2000
2, 2004
2, 2005
5, 2003
5, 2005
6, 1997
6, 2001
7, 2001
10, 2002
10, 2002
14, 2003
15, 2006
16, 2005
18, 2000
18, 2001
20, 2006
24, 2002
25, 2002
25, 2003
26, 2002
27, 2005
30, 1999
30, 2000
Ernest W. Godfrey Jr.
Donald Bennett Cook
Ernest W. Godfrey Jr.
Preston D. Burke
Harold L. Goodwin
H.A. Tucker
Reno Kirby
R.H. (Hal) Watson
K.D. Swatzel
Edgar M. Fendley
Ray Tautenhahn
Maxie George Kulhanek
R.W. (Bubba) Baker
Jessie S. Bell, Jr.
I.S. Stanley
A.J. Burke
B.S. (Stu) Baker
Lloyd Douglas Rollins
George L. (Billy) Butler
Ernest E. Reames
Helen F. Abel
Wendell Nolan Foster
James Edward Baker
Stanley Horn
Michael W. Hebert
John M. Roescher

Fredericksburg Reunion HPD News

Transcription

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