Service…
I have often believed that our members’ dedication and service to the citizens of San Francisco is second to none. This belief has been fostered through our members constant involvement in the many voluntary activities throughout the city that have benefited those less fortunate than us, including the elderly, the very young, those who are sick or infirm, and many who could use some assistance and encouragement along the way.
One need look no further than our monthly visits to UCSF Hospital. At least on one occasion each month, San Francisco police officers visit with sick and terminally ill children. These visits are made on the second Wednesday of each month at two different times. The first visit is with younger children in the afternoon, and the second is our visit with the older kids in the “Teen Lounge” in the evening hours.
This past November, Officers Ferdinand “Dimo” Dimapasoc and Armando Maracha of Southern Station, along with the former and very proud United States Marine Ernesto Linares of Tenderloin Station, spent a few hours with some very special children. At my request, these fine officers were only too happy to step up to the plate and volunteer to bring some joy to these youngsters. From the moment they entered the hospital, “Dimo,” Armando and Ernesto made the children feel like they were the most important people in the world. They brought smiles and laughs to each and every child they had the pleasure to spend time with. The hospital staff had nothing but high praise for the efforts the officers brought to the hospital that day and they couldn’t thank them enough.
On December 8, 2010, Officers Scott Lutticken and Janice Lum from Northern Station joined forces with Joshua Fry and Sgt. Malcom Anderson from Bayview Station to play educational games and pass out gifts to the very special group of kids who will more than likely be spending this Christmas in the hospital. These officers couldn’t have been more attentive to the children they were visiting and were able to draw them away for a few hours from the sad circumstances that have befallen each child. Later that evening, Damien Fahey and Mike Costello from “The Big Apple,” aka Central Station, answered the call. They spent a couple of hours with a group of teens who will be hospitalized for a good portion of this holiday season. When contacted about this event, both Damien and Mike were quick to respond to the bell. Neither hesitated for a second to make the visit, and happily volunteered for future visits.
Special thanks to Sgt. Ava Garrick of Bayview Station, Sgt. Chris Springer of Northern Station, and Sgts. Seth Riskin and George Rosko for their assistance and encouragement in these events.
Family House…
This past Thanksgiving I was back on the East Coast, New York and New Jersey for a very special family event which presented a bit of a quandary for me. For the past few years the POA has been very involved with Family House, which is affiliated with UCSF Hospital. Family House provides temporary housing for families while their young children and siblings are being treated for very serious illnesses at the hospital. Family House is a Godsend as it is only minutes away from the hospital and the accommodations are first class in a family atmosphere. It takes away the burden and expenses for families who have to come from far away while their children are being cared for. Since the POA has been involved, I have joined several members of our association on the past few Thanksgivings at Family House cooking and preparing a wonderful holiday meal that included turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. When I told outgoing Family House Director Debbie Bosetti that I was going to be away, she was concerned that we would not be there for this year’s holiday meal. I only had to relay those concerns to Mark Madsen, POA Representative from Tactical, and Joe Finigan, POA Rep. from the Airport Bureau, and they immediately put those concerns to rest. In very short order they stepped up and agreed to carry the ball this year to assure that the show would go on. During the week before Thanksgiving, Joe, Mark, and I met with Debbie and plans were made to facilitate this year’s dinner. Mark and Joe took the lead and coordinated the event and in no time other volunteers joined in. Joe’s wife Linda and son Doug, Al Wurdinger, also of the Airport Bureau, and Anna Cuthbertson of Mission Station pitched in to make the dinner one to remember. Mark and Joe were in excellent hands as Al and Anna have participated in this event in the past and proved to be an immense help.
Debbie called me after Thanksgiving with nothing but gratitude for all those who showed up that day and made it a very special one for some folks who could use a boost in spirit.
A sincere “tip of the hat” to Mark and Joe for their selfless consideration and to Joe’s family, Linda and Doug for passing up their Thanksgiving at home to join in the volunteer effort. An additional special “tip of the hat” goes to Al and Anna for coming through again and bringing delicious joy to deserving families.
Thank you all so much and I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen next year to join you in “rattling those pots and pans!”
Condolences…
The San Francisco Police Officers’ Association sends heartfelt condolences to the family of retired member Gary Hazelhofer who recently passed away.
Gary was an outstanding police officer and a “cop” in the best sense of the word. Gary was a very popular member of the department who left quite a legacy. He joined the department in February of 1991, and retired due to a disability in August of 2007. He always represented the department in the highest order, and was very proud to be a San Francisco Policeman. He was a very popular member of Mission Station where he served the majority of his career in a plain-clothes capacity working with Adriano Castro and Mario Molina. Gary always wanted to get the bad guys, and more often than not he did.
The outpouring of support for Gary and his family was a true testament to his popularity as witnessed by the tremendous turnout for both his wake and Funeral. In both cases, the church was packed with family, friends, loved ones, and fellow officers.
Gary’s cousin, Sgt. Katherine Schwarz-Choy of Southern Station’s Investigation Team (wife of Officer Adam Choy assigned to the Airport Bureau and hellavu baseball player) spoke glowingly of Gary at his wake. She described how, after a ride-a-long in the Mission District, he became her inspiration to join the department.
Other family members and friends also spoke very kindly of Gary, reminiscing how he was always the life of the party.
Gary leaves a dear and loving wife and two sons, Jack and Daniel of whom he was tremendously proud. It goes without saying that Gary will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his adoring family.
We also mourn and deeply regret the passing of recently retired member Sergeant James S. Acevedo who passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, December 6, 2010 after a valiant and courageous battle of pancreatic cancer.
“Jimmy” was a highly respected, well-liked, and very popular member of this department and association. He retired only a little over a year ago on December 2, 2009. Jimmy served with great honor and distinction since joining the San Francisco Police Department in November of 1982, after serving eight years with the Oakland Police Department.
While a member of the SFPD, Jimmy served at Southern Station, Central Station, the Field Operations Bureau as a member of the Candlestick Park Command, and as a Training Instructor for the Underwater Recovery Unit. Upon his well-deserved promotion to Sergeant, Jimmy served at Taraval Station until his retirement. He was much respected by his co-workers and represented all that is good in a San Francisco Police Officer. He will certainly be missed by those who knew and loved him.
The San Francisco Police Officers’ Association sends condolences to Jimmy’s most loving and caring family who surrounded him at the time of his passing.
We also extend our gratitude to Sgt. Randy Young of Taraval Station. Randy spent a lot of time with Jimmy up to the end and kept us all updated during Jimmy’s fight. Randy, you displayed a courage and friendship in the truest sense and meaning of the words. You gave so much of your self, your time and energies during the last several weeks of Jimmy’s life, which must have been a tremendous but noble sacrifice and undertaking on your and your family’s part. Thank you for being such a good friend and an example of human kindness to us all.
More Condolences…
Showing the true character of a second generation San Francisco Police Officer, the aforementioned Scott Lutticken (UCSF Visitor item, above) had put aside his own worries and concerns for his seriously ill mother, Cathy, to put the needs and cares of others before his own. Scott’s father, Frank, is now retired from the department but was an outstanding member as well as a former POA board director representing the Traffic Company. Frank was also a member of the department Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team.
Frank can be seen on a daily basis providing security at San Francisco’s greatest high school institution, Sacred Heart/Cathedral Preparatory, formerly known as Sacred Heart High School or “The Little Cop Factory on Ellis Street.” You have an awful lot to be proud of Frank and we can all see, “the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree!”
Sadly, Cathy passed away on December 24, 2010 following a long and valiant fight with cancer. Our sincere condolences to Frank, Scott, and all the Lutticken family on the death of their wife and mother. Be assured that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Toy Drive…
Once again this year, on Sunday, December 12, 2010, Operation Dream insured that thousands of under-privileged children in San Francisco would be receiving gifts and toys from Santa. As in the past, this very worthy cause was co-sponsored by the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association, the San Francisco Forty-Niners, and of course Jack and Beverly Immendorf of Immendorf and Co. Investigations. Jack and Bev have been supporters of Operation Dream for the past several years. This year, Officer Todd Burks of Mission Station, and Lieutenant Michael Slade (currently assigned to Medical Liaison) led the annual Toy Drive. Many officers and citizens volunteered their time to brave the inclement weather to help out at Candlestick Park prior to the Forty-Niner – Seattle Seahawk football. The event was a major success and hundreds of toys and thousands of dollars were donated. This success carried over to the gridiron where the Niners put a healthy beating on their division foes.
I would like to extend special thanks to Chief of Police George Gascon and his lovely wife Fabiola. Together, walked around the entire perimeter of the stadium to meet and greet officers and volunteers who were there to assist in the undertaking. A special “tip of the hat” to Mrs. Gascon, who proved to be a real trooper. Due to a previously incurred injury, she made her way around the stadium on crutches! That’s dedication! I would also like to thank Captain Al Casciato and members of the Solos who assisted in the collection, as well as to Lt. Colleen Fatooh and her children along with all the other outstanding caring folks who were also pivotal volunteers in the event.
Happy New Year…
May God Bless and protect each and every one of you, your families and loved ones as we enter into the New Year. I know we will work as hard as we always do to protect and watch out for each other and the public we serve.
Semper Fi…
One final holiday item. As a proud father of a son currently serving in the United States Marine Corps, I loved this story out of Augusta, Ga. A U.S. Marine reservist collecting toys for children was stabbed when he helped stop a suspected shoplifter in eastern Georgia.
Best Buy sales manager Orvin Smith told The Augusta Chronicle that the man was seen on surveillance cameras Friday putting a laptop under his jacket at the Augusta store.
When confronted, the man became irate, knocked down an employee, pulled a knife and ran toward the door. Outside were four Marines collecting toys for the service branch's "Toys For Tots" program.
Smith said the Marines stopped the man, but he stabbed one of them, Cpl. Phillip Duggan, in the back. The cut did not appear to be severe.
The suspect, whose name was not released, was held until police arrived. The Richmond County Sheriff's office said it is investigating.
Rick Smythe
Chaplain Marine Corps League
Note: I am still trying to confirm the Internet rumor that the suspect was transported to the local hospital with two broken arms, a broken leg, possible broken ribs, multiple contusions and assorted lacerations including a broken nose and jaw... injuries he sustained when he “stumbled” as he attempted to run from other reservists after stabbing their fellow United States Marine! -- KM
Just think baseball fans, it’s only a month or so before pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training. Great seasons lie ahead for the Yankees and Giants. The Red Sox, well it’ll be another year of frustration and watching the playoffs and World Series on television…again!
