I hope and trust that all our readers had a safe and happy holidays and the process of settling into the New Year will not be daunting.
Blue Santas…
Thanks to all the members of the department and certainly of this association who through their kindness and generosity made sure that many deserving children and youngsters would be remembered by Santa this past Christmas. I am always so proud of how our members come through for so many in need. I was talking to a great friend the other day who during the course of conversation asked, “Kevin, how many people do the police department help?” and I quickly replied, “Jack, you know we don’t count, we just do!” …Enough said!
A very special tip of the hat to Homicide Inspector John Cleary…thanks again, John…you’re the best!
Blue 49ers…
The Forty-Niners have given “The Faithful” reason to cheer again as they are kicking their way into the playoffs through David Aker’s toe and arguably the toughest and stingiest defense in the league.
Not to go unnoticed or unsung have been the efforts of the San Francisco Police Department at the Candlestick Park home games this year.
The officers assigned to the games this year have done an incredible job to meet the very serious challenges brought upon by some terribly violent and misguided people who show up at these games. I can’t in good conscience call them “fans” because they clearly are not!
There is a certain element of individuals who have no intention of going to the game and are there only to provoke, intimidate, and create a dangerous environment for everybody else.
And that’s just in the parking lots before the games…
The strain of working one of these games can really take its toll…and it is a very long day!
Under the very capable, competent and confident guidance of Lt. Mike Redmond and Sgt. Jack Hart, the men and women who have assigned to the games in one fashion or another have really done an outstanding job under some very difficult circumstances. The entire compliment of officers working the games is a great example of real teamwork and “stepping up” when the going gets tough…and to be sure, it can get plenty tough out there!
Already this year, several of our officers have been the victims of violent assaults as a result of behavior fueled by alcohol, anger, and jackass mentality!
And then there are of course the 148s…the resisters who inevitably cause a scene in the stands where the cops are called to remove him and then the fight is on…
It is by no means a picnic or a walk in the park…I can only imagine how the “fans” would be if the Niners were having a bad year!
In the December 19th Monday Night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in front of a national television audience, Candlestick Park infrastructure suffered three power outages causing significant delays (two during the game and one shortly thereafter) which raised some eyebrows and caused some local embarrassment.
In a situation and circumstance that could have allowed itself for some real problems, Lt. Redmond, Sgt. Jack Hart along with other supervisors directed the officers under their command to a spectacular showing of peace and order.
The Police Officers working that game are owed tremendous thanks for their great work not only on that night but also certainly throughout the season.
One veteran officer who has not missed working a Forty-Niner game told me that this year has been a little busier than in past season especially in light of the infamous Raider game that really raised security concerns not only in San Francisco but also throughout the country where National Football League games are played.
The officer went on to say that there is a real solid core group of officers who regularly work the games and that they are a very competent group that works very well together.
Keep up the great work guys and gals…hope to see you deep into the playoffs!
UCSF Visit…
My very special thanks to Officers Allen Mulliken #2206 of Taraval Station, Brian Kneuker #2334 of Southern Station, and Officers Josh Fry #656 and John Norment #641, both of Bayview, for once again spending time with the children of UCSF this past December 14th.
These particular officers have become regular fixtures at the monthly visits. Their dedication to such a special group of youngsters is very heartwarming and equally encouraging! I really appreciate your kindness and consideration fella’s…you guy’s are the best!
It’s not easy, but here it goes…
I’M HOLDING MY NOSE…! Congratulations to the Saint Ignatius Wildcats for their come-from-behind victory over the Sacred Heart-Cathedral Fightin’ Irish for the City Championship held at AT&T before close to 12,000 ardent fans.
Sacred Heart- Cathedral took an early lead but a dynamic third quarter for the ‘cats propelled them to victory.
It was a great game between two storied San Francisco Institutions. For many it was a real “San Francisco” event as so many friends, relatives, classmates and yes, even rivals, were brought together for an evening. The weather held up and the air was crisp. Fans, parents, alumni and supporters from both schools were out in force cheering their warriors on the gridiron onward to victory.
Even those unable to attend the game wanted to be kept up to date with the games progress…Retired SFFD Assistant Deputy Chief Brendan O’Leary (brother of SFPD Captain Denis O’Leary, Park Station, both SI grads) who was away at a family function was kept in the loop via text by his sister, the lovely and talented Ellen Marie O’Leary-Martin…I’m sure many, many others were being updated throughout the game as well.
I lost a friendly wager to Chief of Police Greg Suhr, a proud graduate of Saint Ignatius High School, who quickly reminded me shortly after the game that I would at some point have to wear a hat of his choice in some fashion representing Saint Ignatius High School…it will be a dreaded moment for me but, oh well… Go Irish!
Can you say Bruce-Mahoney?
See you guys on the baseball diamond…
Speaking of Sacred Heart-Cathedral…
Congratulations are in order to Marion Cunnane, daughter of Officer Tommy Cunnane # 4070 of Central Station, who graces the cover of “Century Magazine,” the official publication of Sacred Heart – Cathedral High School, where Marion is a senior and a member of the graduating class of 2012!
Marion is part of a feature article of the school’s “Zenaver Immersion Program” which is an endeavor of “Commitment to Living the Gospel/Faith and Service to the community.”
Marion was only one of thirty students chosen from a highly talented, highly motivated pool of over 90 candidates to participate and serve in this program. Marion was one of ten students who traveled to Salinas, California to volunteer and work at “Dorothy’s Place” a residential community food service center.
The students cleaned, prepared, cooked and served food for others while living in a shared environment over a four-day period.
Marion quickly and proudly also told me that Jennifer Java, daughter of Sgt. Cliff Java # 795 of the Airport Bureau, also a senior at Sacred Heart – Cathedral High School also participated in this program and traveled to Salinas as well. Jennifer is a participant of this program with some distinction as she is the first student to have ever been chosen to participate twice! Congratulations on such an honor, Jennifer!
It is so wonderful and rewarding to see our sons and daughters involved in such outstanding, enriching and rewarding programs and efforts.
Twenty other students traveled to Montana and New Orleans to participate in similar programs and enriching their educational and spiritual horizons.
This was the first time Marion participated in this program and found it tremendously rewarding.
Marion is also very busy in the classroom maintaining a 3.8 GPA and in the athletic arenas participating in both volleyball and soccer. Marion has her future eyes set on either the University of California at Berkeley, or UC Santa Barbara where she plans to study either Biochemistry or Molecular Biology…WOW!
Marion has an older sister Shannon who is studying at Marquette University in Milwaukee (a graduate of SI) and a younger sister Colleen who is a freshman at Saint Ignatius.
I asked Marion if she had gone to the SI/SH football game and she painfully answered yes. I asked her what the toughest part of the loss was for her and she answered without a moment’s hesitation that it was being sandwiched between two sisters who went/go to SI…that’s almost too much for any one person to handle!
Remembering Bryan…
Thursday, December 22, 2011 marked the fifth anniversary of the cold-blooded shooting of our fallen brother, Bryan Tuvera in the Taraval Police District.
Bryan, who succumbed to his injuries in the very early morning hours of December 23, 2006, was in pursuit of a parolee who ran into a residential basement and hid until confronted by the police. The armed animal exchanged gunfire with the responding police before shooting Bryan and then turning his gun on himself.
As in very recent years past, a group of mourners met at 25th Avenue and Lawton Avenues led by Police Chaplain Father Michael Healy and Department leaders and proceeded to the location where Bryan met his demise. The procession stopped momentarily while Father Healy blessed the house and said a prayer.
We then marched on to Taraval Station in relative silence while Captain Denis O’Leary of The Irish Pipers led us in the cool December air piping all the while in a haunting beauty…
Once we arrived at Taraval Station, Captain Curtis Lum took charge of the event at called the gathering to order. Officers, family members, friends, well wishers, speakers and supporters all took their placed and then Lt. Con Johnson called the uniformed ensemble of officers to attention.
Father Healy welcomed the gathering, gave the invocation and said a prayer. Guest speakers which included Chief of Police Greg Suhr; President of the Police Commission Thomas Mazzucco; Sgt. Robert Padrones of Taraval Station; retired Sgt. / Inspector of Police Glenn Sylvester representing the Filipino Association of Law Enforcement Officers; Sgt. Kevin Mannix of Taraval Station and coordinator of the event and Bryan’s cousins Jim and Steven Leonard all spoke briefly but made very hopeful, encouraging and poignant remarks.
I had the humbling honor of representing the Police Officers’ Association and made some remarks that I truly believed echoed the sentiments felt and expressed by the men and women of this department and association.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Officer’s Mark Lundin and Ivan Seqeira played a very moving rendition of “Taps” in memory of our fallen brother.
I wish to thank all those who came to honor Bryan and his loving family on the anniversary of this very sad occasion. I know that Sandy, Salina, and all loving family members and close personal friends are strengthened and encouraged by those who gather with them.
I also appreciate the attendance by members of the San Francisco Fire Department, who erected a large display of our Stars and Stripes.
My thanks also to the members of the Traffic Company Solos who provided an escort for the march; Sgt. Bob Totah and Officers Matt Castagnola, Jeff Roth and Wade Bailey of the SFPD Tactical Mounted Unit and my very special thanks to the SFPD Honor Guard Unit comprised of SFPD Officers Annie Valenzuela, Maina Tuiamavave; Damien Reyes, Jesse Cruz, Paul Khmarskiy and the very honored, very proud former Marine, Roel Dilag.
Bryan’s sacrifice is a reminder both individually and collectively as to our commitment to our fellow man and certainly to each other. There can be no greater calling than one to serve your fellow man and put all you love and care for before yourself. To place, care for and regard other’s health, safety and welfare before our own. To place ourselves between harm, fear danger and death and the safety of others is our calling…our vocation…it’s what we do…it’s what Bryan did…
Take care, God Bless and be safe out there…Go Niners!
Pretty soon it will be spring, and spring means baseball, and baseball means another frustrating, hair pulling, sleep losing year for the Red Sox…I can’t wait!
