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This & That…

September 1, 2011
Kevin M Martin SFPOA Vice-President

Sandy Tuvera addresses California lawmakers…

On Thursday, August 25, 2011, Sandy Tuvera, mother of slain San Francisco Police Officer Bryan Tuvera, traveled to our state capitol in Sacramento to address a Senate Panel Forum on Conservation Camps in relation to Assembly Bill 109 and the impact prisoners will have on this program.

Officer Bryan Tuvera was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday night, December 22, 2006 in the Taraval Police District by a gun-wielding fleeing felon by the name of Marlon Ruff who was an escapee from one of the state’s Fire Camps. An investigation revealed that Marlon Ruff should never have been accepted into the program based on his violent criminal past. At the time, Ruff had amassed 25 points, twice the maximum number of points to permitted in order to earn consideration for entry into the Fire Camp Program.

Sandy Tuvera was invited to speak to the panel about her concerns for public and law enforcement safety as it pertains to this program.

AB109 and the resulting realignment will result in many inmates being sentenced to county jails instead of state prison. This will likely impact the number of prison firefighting hand crews run jointly by the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

To maintain the total number of fire crews available for fighting fires for future fire seasons, CAL FIRE and CDCR are working together on a plan to provide fire training and service options to counties so that county inmates could fill the gap if there are fewer state prisoner fire crews.

The Forum on Conservation Camps was led by California State Senator Doug LaMalfa from the Fourth Senate District.

Sandy Tuvera voiced her concerns about how inmates are selected for this program, and the potential for violent offenders to become eligible for participation when their violent criminal past should clearly prevent them from enrollment.

I went to Sacramento along with Sergeant Judy Riggle from Taraval Station to support Sandy and be with her during what was going to be an emotional and heart-wrenching address to the senate panel.

Prior to Sandy’s address, there were other speakers who represented the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; The California Department of Corrections along with members representing the California Regional Council of Rural Counties; Trinity County and Gregg Cohen, the District Attorney of Tehama County.

Much of the panel discussion involved the economic restraints the state is experiencing and how large portions of our state receive fire protection services from state prison inmates, particularly at forest fires in very rural areas.

There were concerns regarding the classification system used by the Department of Corrections to place prisoners into this program, and the fear that there could be a significant shortage of eligible candidates to be potential inmate firefighters. There was also the concern that such a dwindling candidate pool might compromise the point system and other criteria used to determine an inmate’s eligibility to enter the program based on his or her criminal history, especially when it comes to matters of violent crime.

During the discussion between panel members, I heard Senator LaMalfa use the term “trade-offs” in reference to the “give-and-take” or compromises possibly needed to ensure the future of this program in light of the current economic troubles affecting the state and the nation.

After much panel discussion, Sandy was invited to speak. The following is the body of her statement:

 

“I am the mother of Bryan Tuvera, the San Francisco Police Officer who was shot in the face and killed by fire camp escapee Marlon Ruff who escaped from the Eel River Conservation Camp in Humboldt County. My son was only 28-years old. He had just gotten married two months prior.

The Department of Corrections INSIST they only place Level-1, low risk/non violent inmates into fire camps. However, Marlon Ruff was CLEARLY a violent inmate who got placed in one. He never should have been considered nor placed in a fire camp.

Ruff was a repeat felon who was convicted of multiple violent crimes, four of which I am aware of for assault and robbery, and all involved possession of a gun. After serving time for his 1996 and 1998 convictions, he was again arrested in 2000 for being a convicted felon on probation in possession of a gun and was sent back to prison. After his release for that crime, while still on probation, he assaulted and robbed an armored car guard in broad daylight in an open, crowded shopping mall. He beat the guard so badly, he was beat unconscious. Short of discharging his gun, it does not get more violent than that.

While waiting and during his trial, the Judge placed Ruff on a NO BAIL status. There was a reason he was classified that way. He was deemed a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Ruff was sentenced to the maximum 5-year prison term for his conviction for assault and robbery committing serious bodily injury while in possession of a gun. He was also sentenced to an additional year for being a repeat felon. How the Department of Corrections could have even considered him for a fire camp is beyond my comprehension.

The night he shot and killed my son, he had over 100 rounds of ammunition on him. He kicked in an inside garage door to a residential home of an 80 year old couple. My son went in, took the shot and was killed by an escapee. Ruff committed suicide but not before taking the life of an innocent young man and not before shattering the lives of all of us who knew him. My son saved a lot of lives that night but I never wanted a hero- I just want my son.

I have been informed that the Department of Corrections uses a detailed point system to screen and select their fire camp inmates. They INSIST they only place low level, non-violent inmates who score 12 points or less and are classified as Level-1. Marlon Ruff scored 25 points and was 2 points away from Level 3… a serious error by the Dept. of Corrections regarding this placement.

I understand the importance of these fire camps to Cal Fire but these camps have NO perimeter fence. Inmates can easily escape and all too often do. I have been told that there is only one guard for every 100 inmates in these camps. It is the responsibility of the Department of Corrections to keep the community and the camps safe and in doing so MUST ensure that the inmates placed there are low risk, non-violent inmates. The Department of Corrections seriously needs to review and change their screening process, as there is a problem with who is getting placed in these camps.

Crimes against people are much more serious than crimes against property.

Inmates should not be considered for fire camp placement by the Dept. of Corrections if they have been:

1) Convicted of a violent crime while in possession of a gun;

2) Convicted of a violent crime against a person

3) Convicted of arson

4) Or if the inmate is a repeat violent offender.

I recommend that in addition, inmates considered for fire camp placement should be those close to their release date, perhaps six months away from their release. These inmates have done their time and have a high incentive not to escape and jeopardize their time served.

It should be a requirement that the inmate’s ENTIRE criminal history be reviewed and considered when screening for fire camp placement. The Dept. of Corrections should NEVER just consider an inmates last offense.

The Dept. of Corrections should not be redefining “violent” as defined by the California State Penal Code and reclassifying violent crimes to ”serious” which is a lesser offense when determining an inmate’s classification.

It should be mandated that the Dept. of Corrections contact and solicit input from the District Attorney, Law Enforcement personnel, and legal counsel who had contact with the inmate prior to their incarceration. These people have valuable insight as to the inmate and their behavior outside the prison walls. Their opinion as to whether the inmate should be considered for fire camp placement truly must be considered and used as part of the Dept. of Corrections screening and rating process.

There is nothing that will bring my child back but if we can get the Department of Corrections to improve their screening process and put more stringent guidelines in place to insure only low risk, non violent inmates are considered for fire camp placement, then I as a mother can at least feel that something positive has come out of something so terribly heartbreaking.”  

 As one might imagine, this was a very difficult and emotional moment for Sandy. Sandy did an outstanding job representing the voices and interests of all Californians as she addressed this panel. Sandy displayed great courage and strength during her speech. Bryan must have been exceedingly proud of his dearest mother as he peered down from the heavens watching over her and giving her spiritual encouragement and guidance.

I also addressed the panel and reiterated Sandy ’s concerns about safety for all. I spoke to the Senator about my concerns of the aforementioned “trade-offs” facing this program. I stated that the safety of the general public and that of our Law Enforcement Officers throughout this great state should never be compromised.

I also spoke about Bryan and what a wonderful young man he was and the loss we all suffered the night he was killed. The loss of Bryan Tuvera still affects our Department and officers every day but certainly not in the same way that Sandy, Salina, their family and friends have endured the loss.

 I gratefully thank Senator LaMalfa and his staff including “Tiffany” for their invitation to address this panel and let our voices be heard. The Senator was very gracious with his words and sentiments to Sandy and the San Francisco Police Department.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Sandy for the opportunity to stand beside her during her time of need. Sandy did an exemplary job representing her son as well as every Peace Officer and citizen of this great state.

I also want to extend my personal thanks to Judy Riggle who took the time out of her very busy schedule to accompany and give strength and comfort to Sandy.

Judy, I know Sandy was so grateful for all your kindnesses and considerations on that difficult but memorable day.

 

Happy Birthday, John Candido…

As a Patrol Special Police Officer for many years, Johnny Candido built quite a name and reputation for being a tough but fair street cop. He has been a fixture in the North Beach and Marina Districts for years, and is a very popular man with quite a life, and quite a story.

As John approaches his 82nd birthday, I thought it would be a fitting tribute to share John’s story with our members and readers, many who are dear friends of John and his very beautiful and charming wife, Antoinette better known as “Toni.” I also thought that as we approach the Columbus Day Festivities in October, the same month as John’s birthday, (October 18th), it would also be fitting to honor a man who has been inducted into the Police Hall of Fame for acts of bravery in the line of duty.

This in part is Johnny’s story.

On the 18th day of October 1930, John J. Candido was born to Mary and August Candido. His father, a barber from Palermo, Sicily and his mother who hailed from New Orleans, moved to San Francisco. After their marriage in San Jose, they lived in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco where John’s father owned the famous “Gus’s Barber Shop.”

Born at St. Mary’s hospital and reared for a short time in the Tenderloin District, John grew up later to live in the Marina District. As a young boy in San Francisco, John attended St. Brigid’s Grammar School and later attended Sacred Heart High School and Galileo High School before graduating from Chase Private School in 1947.

John then attended City College of San Francisco with the intention of entering into a career of Law Enforcement. John had a great desire to become a California State Narcotics Agent and had received a promised position from Pat Brown, the San Francisco District Attorney at the time who would later be elected Governor of the Great State of California, but John was too young at the time and unable to accept the position.

John and Pat Brown remained close personal friends for many years.

John went into the electrical business and became a member of the IBEW and worked until he was 21 years old at which time he became a member of the San Francisco Special Police and was assigned to “Restaurant Row” in at Fisherman’s Wharf. Among his clients were Alioto’s Fish Grotto and Fisherman’s Grotto Number 9.

In 1951, he became the first San Francisco Police Officer to work on State Property in the City and County of San Francisco under the direction of Chief of Police Michael Mitchell.

John later became a “Dance Hall Cop” working school dances in the North Beach, Hunter’s Point, Mission, and Bay View Districts of the city. John also policed civic functions, school events, and many special city events.

In 1963, John was appointed to the San Francisco Police Reserve Unit and shortly thereafter appointed to a position of a San Francisco Patrol Special Officer by Chief Thomas J. Cahill. John and Chief Cahill remained life long friends until the death of the former Chief in 2002. John was a Pall Bearer at the Chief’s Funeral Service, a great distinction.

John also served as the bodyguard to Romano Mussolini, brother of Benito “Il Duce” Mussolini while Romano was in San Francisco in 1954 to attend a piano concert.

For many years, John served as personal bodyguard for many of the Catholic dignitaries and high-ranking Church Officials including his service in 1997 for the Salesian Centennial Celebrations that took place in San Francisco.

Among his many positions, John also worked as an Ambulance Driver for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, as well as a member of the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department where he was assigned as a jailer in the old City Prison, as well as driver for the Under Sheriff at the time, John P. Figone.

John’s dedication to service was not limited to his police work in San Francisco. As a member of the United States Naval Reserve, John volunteered for Active Duty in the Korean War. John served on the highest decorated Aircraft Carrier in the fleet, the USS Oriskany, CVA 34, in the Pacific Fleet Task Force. For his bravery and valor, John was awarded nine service medals serving in three battle engagements.

On completion of his overseas duty and Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy, John became a Charted City Police Officer permanently assigned to the Patrol Special Division of the San Francisco Police Department. He worked in the Northern, Central, Mission, and Potrero Districts and served in the many riots that plagued the city during John’s years of service.

In 1989, John was awarded the San Francisco Police Department Earthquake Ribbon by Chief Frank Jordan for his work at the Police Earthquake Command Post in the Marina District. John was a great service to the elderly residents and their pets of the Marina removing many from their homes to a safe haven. John also made several arrests on looters and thieves stealing from homes and local businesses.

John was a highly decorated officer and at one point was awarded the coveted Gold Medal of Valor for his actions when he was shot while in the act of foiling an attempted armed robbery. John subsequently was awarded our department’s Purple Heart Award for his shooting in 2006.

Patrol Special Officer John Candido retired from his position in the San Francisco Police Department in 1995 after 43 years of dedicated service to the City and County of San Francisco and her residents and guests under then Chief of Police, Tony Ribera.

Upon his retirement, John accepted a civilian position of Range Master for the Lakeport Police Department in Lakeport, California for five years under the direction of Chief Thomas Engstrom.

Johnny Candido is one of the All-Time Greats and has helped many, many people over the past several years. He is a very proud San Franciscan of Sicilian descent, and is very proud of his heritage. John is the very lucky and proud husband of the love of his wife, Toni, and extremely proud of his son, daughter, and three grandchildren.

Congratulations to Johnny Candido on the celebration of his 81st birthday and for his outstanding, exemplary police career, his service to our country and to our city,  and for all of his notable accomplishments!