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Page 1 Badge & Gun • February 2013 Houston Police Officers’ Union 1600 State Street Houston, Texas 77007 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, Texas Permit No. 7227 Non-profit Statement: Badge & Gun is published monthly at no subscription charge. Send Correspondence and Address Changes (include mailing label) To: BADGE & GUN 1600 State Street Houston, TX 77007. Telephone: 713-237-0282. The Publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union www.HPOU.org Vol. XXXIX No. 2 February 2013 HPOU Strength Unity Through Texas’ Largest Police Union Patrol Pay: What it is and Which officers Will get it As July 2013 approaches, the number one issue among phone callers to HPOU is the new Patrol Pay that begins with the first full pay period after July 1st. During contract negotiations, the HPOU requested that all those officers and sergeants assigned to Patrol receive assignment pay to encourage them to remain in those Patrol positions. This item was “priced” and the negotiations began. The final product resulted in three steps of Patrol Pay for officers and sergeants in uniform whose primary responsibility is responding to calls for service by routinely (at least three days a week) using either a marked car or responding on foot – and who are listed in CAD as available for dispatch. The President’s Message Ray Hunt Continues on Page 8 Mayor Annise Parker swears in the new 2013 HPOU Board Members in the Jan. 3 general membership meeting. President Ray Hunt, center, will once again lead the board with the two vice presidents on the left side, Joe Gamaldi and Doug Griffith. GARY HICKS PHOTO. See Floyd Lewis Profile on Page 11 See 'Medic Trauma Training' on Page 24 BadgeGun February 2013 Issue.indd 1 2/6/13 6:41 PM
Transcript
Page 1: Houston Police Officers’ Union - Mayor Annise Parker swears in … · 2018. 5. 21. · Houston Police Officers’ Union 1600 State Street Houston, Texas 77007 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.

Page 1 Badge & Gun • February 2013

Houston Police Officers’ Union1600 State StreetHouston, Texas 77007

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. Postage

PAIDHouston, Texas

Permit No. 7227

Non-profit Statement: Badge & Gun is published monthly at no subscription charge. Send Correspondence and Address Changes (include mailing label)

To: BADGE & GUN 1600 State Street Houston, TX 77007. Telephone: 713-237-0282.

The Publication of the Houston Police Off icers’ Unionwww.HPOU.org

Vo l . XXX IX No . 2 Feb r ua r y 2013

HPOU

Strength Unity

Through

Texas’ Largest Police Union

Patrol Pay: What it is and Which officersWill get it

As July 2013 approaches, the number one issue among phone callers to HPOU is the new Patrol Pay that begins with the first full pay period after July 1st.

During contract negotiations, the HPOU requested that all those officers and sergeants assigned to Patrol receive assignment pay to encourage them to remain in those Patrol positions.

This item was “priced” and the negotiations began. The final product resulted in three steps of Patrol Pay for officers and sergeants in uniform whose primary responsibility is responding to calls for service by routinely (at least three days a week) using either a marked car or responding on foot – and who are listed in CAD as available for dispatch.

The President’s Message

Ray Hunt

Continues on Page 8

Mayor Annise Parker swears in the new 2013 HPOU Board Members in the Jan. 3 general membership meeting. President Ray Hunt, center, will once again lead the board with the two vice presidents on the left side, Joe Gamaldi and Doug Griffith. GARY HICKS PHOTO.

See Floyd Lewis Profile on Page 11

See 'Medic Trauma Training' on Page 24

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Page 2 Badge & Gun • February 2013

HPOU Board of Directors

Mark ClarkExecutive Director(832) 200-3434

[email protected]

Executive Board

Board Members

J.G. GarzaDirector 1

(832) [email protected]

George ShawDirector 7

(281) [email protected]

Gary HicksDirector 2

(832) [email protected]

Jeff WagnerDirector 3

(832) [email protected]

Robert BreidingDirector 4

(713) [email protected]

Jason CountrymanDirector 5

(832) [email protected]

Terry WolfeDirector 6

(832) [email protected]

Bubba CaldwellDirector 8

(281) [email protected]

Robert SandovalDirector 14

(281) [email protected]

Will ReiserDirector 9

(281) [email protected]

Rebecca DallasDirector 10

(832) [email protected]

O.J. LatinDirector 15

(281) [email protected]

Timothy WhitakerDirector 12

(832) [email protected]

Lance GibsonDirector 13

(281) [email protected]

Rosalinda Ybanez, Director 11

(832) [email protected]

Tom HayesDirector 16

(281) [email protected]

Bill BoothDirector 17

(281) [email protected]

Marsha ToddDirector 18

(713) [email protected]

John YenchaDirector 19

(832) [email protected]

Luis Menendez-SierraDirector 20

(832) [email protected]

Terry SeaglerSergeant at Arms(832) 494-8244

[email protected]

Cole LesterAssistant Secretary(281) 924-3003

[email protected]

Dana Hitzman2nd Assistant Secretary

(832) [email protected]

Tim Butler Treasurer

(713) [email protected]

Joslyn JohnsonParliamentarian(832) 642-9899

[email protected]

Doug Griffith1st Vice-President(713) 501-4991

[email protected]

Joseph CastanedaSecretary

(281) [email protected]

Joseph Gamaldi2nd Vice-President

(832) [email protected]

Ray HuntPresident

(281) [email protected]

BadgeGun February 2013 Issue.indd 2 2/6/13 6:42 PM

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Page 3 Badge & Gun •February 2013

Voice of the Houston Police Officers’ Union Published monthly at no subscription charge by the:

Houston Police Officers’ Union1600 State Street, Houston, TX 77007Ph: 832-200-3400 • Toll free: 1-800-846-1167Fax: 832-200-3470E-mail: [email protected] address: www.HPOU.org

Legal Department: 832-200-3420Legal Dept Fax: 832-200-3426Insurance: 832-200-3410

Badge & Gun is the official publication of the Houston Police Officers’ Union. Badge & Gun is published monthly under the supervision of its Board of Directors. However, opinions expressed by individual Board members or any other writer in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Board of Directors. Editorial submissions are welcomed and encouraged. All submissions must be received by the 7th of the month.

ADVERTISEMENT IN THE BADGE & GUN DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, A WARRANTY OR A GUARANTEE BY THE UNION.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Badge & Gun 1600 State Street

Houston, TX 77007Fax: 832-200-3470

Important Numbers

ATO: 713-223-4ATOBadge & Gun: 832-200-3400HPOU Offices: 832-200-34001-800-846-1167Insurance Fax: 832-200-3470Legal Services: 832-200-3420Legal Fax: 832-200-3426email: [email protected]

BADGE GUN&

Editorial PageHPOU’s Courtesy Ride Program Impresses MADD, Makes Positive Mark as a Strong Preventive MeasureTHE UNION’S COURTESY RIDE PROGRAM HAS reached a new level. Last month’s press conference with officials from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) took the HPOU initiative from last spring to a higher level, even reaching Page One of the Houston Chronicle.

The temporary trial program has become permanent, enabling HPD officers to call a Yellow Cab for a free ride home after possibly having too much to drink while off-duty. The program was patterned after a similar cab service arrangement sponsored by the Dallas Police Association and operates with pre-paid credit cards free to officers who obtain them from HPOU.

HPOU 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi, a major force and committee leader behind the initiative, made salient points when he spoke before reporters, alongside HPOU President Ray Hunt. “The program,” Gamaldi told Chronicle reporter James Pinkerton, “is designed to give our members, after a night out, a responsible choice for their ride home at no cost to them. If they have consumed any amount of alcohol they feel can impair their driving in any way, they contact Yellow Cab by phone.”

And, as Hunt stressed, the active program did not come in response to a large number of police officers acting irresponsibly during off-duty hours. It serves as an impressive “preventive” maneuver that HPOU hopes will be emulated by other policing agencies as well as private industry. The Union is very sensitive to the fact that Harris County leads the nation in drunken driving deaths. We don’t want to lose our officers to that. Another part of the reason for setting up this service for HPD is that a DWI can cost $15,000 to $20,000 in lawyer fees. It also will mean an immediate suspension of a TCLEOSE license.

Gamaldi pointed out what HPD officers should already know: the names of officers who sign up for the cards remain anonymous, while the Union monitors card usage in order to prevent abuse. The cab rides are not paid for with public funds or union dues but from the interest earned from Union investments. If the effort saves “just one life,” Gamaldi said, it’s a great benefit to the Department and the Houston community as a whole.

HPD Chief Charles McClelland also voiced his strong support and called it a great fit with his expectation that all officers “conduct themselves responsibly on or off duty.”

This positive Union initiative sets a great example for Houston. It will be no surprise if other neighboring law enforcement agencies follow suit.

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Page 4 Badge & Gun • February 2013

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Page 5 Badge & Gun •February 2013

Legal Department VictoriesOfficers shoot at Murder SuspectBefore his Eastside ApprehensionREPRESENTATIONBy Chad T. Hoffman, Staff Legal CounselAn officer-involved shooting happened about 8:30 a.m. Dec. 23 in the 11900 block of Almeda at the intersection of 5300 Glen Rio when two officers had discharged their weapons at a suspect.

The incident started with officers responding to a domestic disturbance on Brisbayne, which ended with the suspect shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend. The suspect then stole the victim’s vehicle and fled from police with the shotgun used in the murder.

At one point during the vehicle pursuit, the suspect made a u-turn on West Airport at Almeda and pointed the shotgun out the driver side window at the officers in the vehicles that were pursuing him. The first officer fired several rounds at the suspect to prevent him from shooting at other officers in the pursuit line.

The officers then continued in the pursuit until the suspect crashed his car into a residence on Glen Rio. The suspect exited the vehicle and ran into a back yard of a residence. As officers set up a perimeter, the suspect stepped into an easement behind the residences and pointed the shotgun at officers.

The first officer, who had obtained an AR-15 from his trunk, fired one round at the suspect. The second officer fired two rounds from his duty weapon.

The suspect then fled from the easement and was found a short time later holding the shotgun to his neck. The first officer kicked the shotgun away from him and the suspect was taken into custody. The suspect was not hit and no officer was injured.

Officers’ Christmas Eveshopping Interruptedby 2 gun-wielding menREPRESENTATIONBy Chad T. Hoffman, Staff Legal CounselChristmas Eve afternoon in the 10900 block of the Gulf Freeway was the scene of an officer-involved shooting at 2 p.m. The season involved two married HPD officers and their daughter who were at a Verizon store shopping for cell phones.

Just as they were about to leave, the officer saw through the front window an African American man approaching the front door while pulling a gun from his waistband. The officer immedi-

ately told his wife, who was unarmed, to go to the back of the store with their daughter.

The officer pulled out his duty weapon as the suspect entered the store and moved toward a group of employees and customers, pointing the weapon at them. Believing the suspect was about to shoot, he fired at least two rounds at the suspect. As he fired his rounds, a second suspect entered the store carrying pistols in both hands.

The second suspect aimed one of the weapons at the officer and the officer fired several rounds at him. The second suspect immediately fled the store as the first suspect then began firing at the officer.

The officer ducked behind a chair and returned fire. The first suspect then exited the store. The officer checked to see if anyone was harmed then moved toward the front of the store. As he did so, he observed one of the suspects returning toward the store.

The officer fired one more time through the front window, which exhausted his ammo. The suspect then fled the scene. The officer re-checked all the store occupants for injuries and called 911. No one was hurt.

Suspect strikes officerWith vehicle, gets awayREPRESENTATIONBy Chad T. Hoffman, Staff Legal CounselOn Dec. 26 in the 1500 block of Ruthven, officers working an overtime program in the area to address narcotics sales observed a suspect standing in the middle of an intersection known for frequent narcotics sales. They decided to investigate.

As the officers rolled up and exited the vehicle, two males ran from the location in different directions. The officers split up and pursued on foot. As one suspect rounded the corner of a house, a third male stepped from the shadows of the house, startling the pursuing officer.

This male immediately entered a vehicle parked nearby on the street. The officer gave commands to the third suspect to stop, but the suspect ignored him and locked the driver door while looking straight at the officer.

The suspect then began moving his hands where the officer could not see them. The officer was positioned at the front driver side corner of the vehicle at the time. The officer moved around the back passenger corner of an SUV that was parked immediately in front of the suspect’s vehicle, both to gain a better tactical position with more cover and a better visual of the suspect because there was a glare caused by a streetlamp from the original position.

The suspect started the vehicle while the officer continued loud verbal commands to get out of it. The suspect then began moving the vehicle forward. Fearing he may be pinned between the side of the SUV and the suspect’s vehicle, the officer moved toward the other side of the street to obtain other cover.

As he did so, the suspect moved forward further, striking the officer on the left leg. As the officer continued to move back and to the left, he fired several shots into the vehicle through the front windshield.

Continues on Page 7

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Page 6 Badge & Gun • February 2013

SERVING THE ALARM NEEDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Keith Margavio6630 Roos Road • Houston, Texas 77006

713-524-6537 • [email protected]

Graphic Design & Illustration

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Page 7 Badge & Gun •February 2013

Continues on Page 5The suspect continued past the officer down the street, turned the corner and escaped. The suspect turned up later at a hospital with a gunshot would to his shoulder. The officer had only minor injuries.

Written Reprimand droppedAgainst newly wedded officerREPRESENTATIONBy Robert Armbruster, Staff Legal CounselA Jan. 3 hearing was held in the grievance appeal of a written reprimand. The officer involved had received a written reprimand for violation of General Order 300-25, Court Attendance and Compensation.

The officer had scheduled a lengthy vacation for a wedding that would take him out of the country. He scheduled this vacation months in advance. At some point in time, municipal subpoenas were entered on his log. The officer had no recollection of having received the subpoenas.

The investigation failed to reveal if these subpoenas were delivered to his subpoena log prior to his leaving for vacation or after he left for vacation. Either way, the officer did not attend municipal court and a complaint was dropped. At the conclusion of the investigation a written reprimand was issued.

The officer appealed the reprimand because he had never received the subpoenas nor had he been advised he had a subpoena prior to his leaving for vacation.

A grievance meeting was held with the officer’s captain. The investigation was reviewed with the captain. At the conclusion of the meeting the captain stated he found no reason for a written reprimand to have been issued and said he would recommend the written reprimand be overturned and removed from his personnel file.

The documentation to accomplish this has been submitted and the Department was in the process of implementing the resolution to the grievance.

Seat belt policy’s timing issueresults in suspension reduction REPRESENTATIONBy Robert Armbruster, Staff Legal CounselTwo officers appealed two-day suspensions to the Police Officer Civil Service Commission on Jan. 3. The suspensions were for violation of General Order 200-08 (Sound Judgment-Obedience to Laws and Rules) and General Order 400-07 (Vehicle Use and Assignment).

In May 2012 the officers were riding a two-man unit when they observed a motorcycle speeding and rolling through

several red lights. They pulled alongside the motorcycle as it entered State Highway 288 to advise the driver to take the next exit to place them in a safer location.

Unfortunately, the officers never delivered the message as another vehicle struck the patrol car.

As a result of this accident the motorcycle operator was killed at the scene and the other driver was injured. The officers received no injuries; however, they were not wearing their seat belts.

In October 2012, Chief McClelland issued a circular emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts to ensure the safety of officers and passengers in police vehicles and announced a discipline category B for failure to wear a seat belt.

In November the chief issued this two-day suspension for the seat belt violation which took place about five months prior to this new policy being adopted.

Prior to the hearing an agreement was reached between the parties to reduce the two-day suspension to a written reprimand. The Commission accepted the settlement agreement and signed an appropriate order.

Officer thwarts car thiefREPRESENTATIONBy Chad T. Hoffman, Staff Legal CounselAt about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 4 an officer-involved shooting took place in the 1500 block of West Bay Area Boulevard. It involved one officer.

The officer was working an extra job at Baybrook Mall and was sitting in his personal vehicle at the west entrance when he observed a vehicle pull up to a parked unoccupied Lexus. The driver of the vehicle opened the door and stepped out with one foot and peeked into the Lexus. He then drove off.

The officer followed the suspect vehicle through the mall parking lot and across West Bay Area

Boulevard to the Ross parking lot. The officer watched as the suspect vehicle pulled next to a black Chevrolet Silverado. The officer observed the driver of the vehicle step out and peek inside the truck several times and continuously look around.

The officer advised Dispatch to send a marked unit Code 2 for possible BMV suspects. The officer continued to watch as the suspect began to make entry into the vehicle by prying the door.

The officer drove up near the rear of the suspect vehicle, exited and began approaching on foot with primary weapon drawn and giving verbal commands for the suspect to stop and show his hands. The suspect began backing out of the truck and not complying with repeated commands to show his hands.

The suspect remained behind the open driver door of the truck and began moving his hands as if trying to conceal a weapon or reach for a weapon inside his bulky coat. Suddenly the suspect began moving from behind the door of the truck while keeping his hands concealed. The officer feared the suspect was stepping from cover of the door to fire at him and discharged his weapon at the suspect four times. The suspect entered his vehicle and fled the scene. It is believed that the suspect was not hit.

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Page 8 Badge & Gun • February 2013

Step 1 is $600 annually for those with at least four years of seniority.

Step 2 is $1,200 annually for those with at least six years of seniority.

Step 3 is $1,800 annually for those with eight or more years of seniority.

Here are some examples of what the callers are asking:

“I am assigned to Patrol, but am in a hot spot or tact position.However, I frequently respond to high-priority calls that drop, am in a marked unit, and wear a uniform each day.Will I get the pay?”

Vice President Doug Griffith and I both fall in this group and the answer is no. Others have called regarding assignments in Mounted Patrol, Lake Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, etc., and have asked if they are going to receive the pay.

These groups also will not receive the pay.

The most controversial calls regard those assigned to Patrol in administrative positions at least three days a week. Most of these positions are method B and will not be receiving the pay.

Executive Assistant Chief Munden has made it clear to us that anyone assigned to Patrol, Special Ops or Airport – but are in one of the groups that are not scheduled to get the pay – do have options. These people may remain in their assignments and not get the pay or may request to be moved back into a traditional Patrol assignment that is scheduled to in fact get Patrol Pay.

The latter may be attractive for those in their 17th-20th years as the pay is calculated in your pension.

Why did negotiations settle on these eligible positions?

This intent was to encourage those in those critical but least-desired positions – that many of us would call the “backbone” of the Department – to remain in those assignments.

We know that these persons are the ones most affected by redbook restrictions, eight unscheduled events, inclement weather, required vests, interrupted lunch breaks, late calls, holidays worked, etc. Some in these assignments have stated that the pay is not enough to keep people in these assignments.

We agree, but also believe this is a step in the right direction that we hope we can build on in the next contract.

We hope this pay does not become a divisive issue, but rather one that many believe is long overdue.The Department currently provides assignment pay to those in hazardous assignments or field training, and to those who speak foreign languages. Patrol Pay will now be added. Very few contracts were negotiated in our comparable cities in 2010 and 2011 that included any new pays, but HPD was fortunate to be one that did.

I would advise anyone wanting to transfer back to Patrol to place your name on the transfer list at employee services sooner rather than later if you want to take advantage of this pay on Day 1.

Remember, Patrol Pay has nothing to do with the three percent base pay raise scheduled for the first full pay period in June of this year. Everyone in the Department will be receiving a three percent pay raise at that time, another three percent in June of next year and a four percent raise in June 2015.

Continues from Ray Page 1

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Page 9 Badge & Gun •February 2013

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Page 10 Badge & Gun • February 2013

AN ‘AMIGO’ DEAL FOR YOUR SPORTS COLLECTIBLES!Tom Kennedy is a long-time Houston

sports memorabilia dealer who doesn’t believein HPD Officers paying retail.

Here are some examples:

ITEM PRICE ‘AMIGO’ PRICESigned Duke Snider Ball $100 $75Signed Biggio Ball 199 $165Signed Bagwell Ball $149 $115Signed Stan “The Man” Musial Ball $199 $135Signed Yogi Berra Ball $95 $75

Tom Kennedy’s Collectibles (Since 1972) at Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas9950 Hempstead Road (The Old Penney Location in Northwest Mall)

ALL SIGNED ITEMS COME WITH PSA DNA AUTHENTICATION!CALL TOM FOR SPECIAL REQUESTS FOR AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS 713-825-2273

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Page 11 Badge & Gun •February 2013

By TOM KENNEDYThe HPD brass took time out on Dec. 4 to present a special Certificate of Appreciation to one of the Department’s most dedicated volunteers.

It wasn’t just any volunteer. For the man has spent countless hours and innumerable gallons of his own gas going the extra special miles for the men and women in blue, serving as an unpaid chaplain.

At last count, Bishop Floyd E. Lewis had dedicated a quarter of a century of volunteer service to give “thumbs up” to people he long ago termed “domestic soldiers.”

Positive Moves

A few years ago Bishop Lewis established what he terms the “Thumbs Up” project designed to enhance the relationship between citizens and their police officers.

Lewis likens today’s street criminals to “domestic terrorists” and therefore reckons that “police officers are domestic soldiers combating crime committed by criminals whom we view as domestic terrorists.”

Honest citizens need to constantly emphasize their appreciation of their “soldiers” by giving them the thumbs-up sign.

Lewis stresses the fact that he has crusaded in favor of improved community relationships with the police without taking political sides. He started doing it this way more than four decades ago during the Civil Rights movement when any kinship between the races in Houston was practically non-existent.

Not known as an activist horn-tooter, the 77-year-old Lewis told the Badge & Gun that he has always striven to find ways to avoid angry confrontations in his life-long effort to find common ground for the good people in all races.

He recalled some incidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s that he believes in his huge heart helped to avoid major racial conflicts in the Bayou City.

Lewis had a strong working relationship with Mayor Louie Welch (1964-1974) and felt he could call him on the phone and get an answer when an important issue arose in the black community.

“I’ll tell you one example,” he said, remembering one day in the late 1960s. “There was no such thing as a black business directory for the city. I told Louie Welch we needed a black and brown business directory and the mayor got City Council to give money for the directory.”

Lewis – like many 1960s activists – recalled the details of the 1967 Texas Southern University riot in which HPD exchanged gunfire with TSU students in one of the dormitories on campus.

The bishop remembered that one Houston police officer, Louis Kuba, was killed in the melee, a line-of-duty tragedy like the many he has responded to over his years as a volunteer chaplain. He said it always saddens him to discuss the loss of any police officer.

But he pointed out that because of a few positive programs – many helped along by Mayor Welch – “we forewent a major, major riot in this city.”

And what were those programs?

Talent Unlimited, a televised talent showcase for kids in the Wards who never thought they could be on television in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Lewis once again credited Welch as well as his fellow native Houstonian and socialite/television celebrity Joanne King Herring and KHOU (Channel 11) president Dean Borba for making the show possible.

A free ticket program for poor kids set up by the Houston Astros for games in the Astrodome and days of fun at Astroworld, the one-time amusement park across the Loop from the Dome.

A free breakfast program – “the first in the city” – set up in the Third Ward with the philanthropic help of Civil Rights crusaders and art fanciers John and Dominique de Menil.

Project Goodwill, an ambitious public housing program that was Lewis’ brainchild. It was intended to construct hundreds of low-income houses in the vicinity of Airport Boulevard and Scott Street on the south side. Lewis still shows disgust after more than 40 years after the project was severely limited when overly ambitious and perhaps greedy partnerships resulted in funding fiascos.

The bishop’s point is that these efforts helped to demonstrate to the city’s poorer populations that they might be able to achieve more success in their lives than they were previously led to believe.

Calming Effects

Perhaps the best example was the TV show, Talent Unlimited, a concept Lewis said he and Mayor Welch developed “in 30 minutes” by calling KHOU president Borba and making the arrangements for the 30-minute show every Saturday afternoon.

For 25 yearsBishop Floyd Lewis Still Going Strongas a Volunteer Chaplain,Giving His ‘Thumbs Up’ to HPD Officers

Bishop Floyd Lewis and the chief

Continues on Page 12

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Page 12 Badge & Gun • February 2013

“I was the producer, Calvin Menefee the director and Wash Allen was the face on the screen (the emcee),” Lewis recalled. “Being a minister, I couldn’t bring in the rock ‘n’ roll talent, but somebody was able to do it.

“It was on TV from 1968 to 1971, a time when nobody believed kids could come out of the (black) neighborhoods and be on TV. It helped to neutralize that attitude that we needed to have a riot.”

Lewis thrives on neutralizing the deep feelings of grief with his ever-faithful upbeat approach in his ministries that include grief counseling with officers or their family members.

Lewis graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School and started in the ministry at age 18, learning the details of the teachings of Jesus Christ from his father. Once the younger minister got out of the Army as a corporal, he continued the Lord’s work. He became the district superintendent over 10 churches in what was to become an affiliation known as the International Church Fellowship. (The group is legally from the Baptist denomination although “Baptist” is not used in church titles or materials).

Today Lewis is the “presiding bishop of the International Church Fellowship,” which has churches all around the United States as well as in Africa and England.

In about 1986 the Department found itself without a chaplain and asked 10 or 12 local ministers to serve as volunteer chaplains. Lewis surfaced to a leadership position because he was willing to take on the responsibilities more often than not. Eventually he became the full-time volunteer chaplain for about five years before a selection committee – on which he served – chose Officer Ed Davis to be the Department’s full-time chaplain.

Lewis continued to work “hand in glove” with Davis, substituting for him when other policing duties called and helping officers or officers’ families in need. “I was the unpaid vice chaplain, so to speak,” Lewis said with a grin, referring to Davis’ 13 or 14 years of service before retiring and going to the Harris County Sheriff’s Department.

When current HPD chaplain Monty Montgomery entered the picture, Lewis continued to fit in where needed, duties that include “bringing the dignitaries in and seating them” on occasions such as memorial services for officers who have died in the line of duty.

A 5-foot-8 ‘Giant’

Lewis works as a team player and follows the guidance of Montgomery as well as Mike Newsome and Bob Sampiere of the Employee Services Division’s Family Assistance Unit.

Recalling the days of the multiple-chaplain practice, Newsome said that Lewis “ended up doing a majority of the funerals and one time helped deliver a line-of-duty death notification at 2 in the morning.

“He’s done this all without pay and always drives his own personal car to the funerals. He’s been involved in some very sensitive matters over the years. He’s able to transcend to a different type of funeral no matter the cultures, races or religions. He has done that beautifully and never has embarrassed HPD.”

When Police Chief Charles “Chuck” McClelland presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Bishop Lewis on Dec. 4, it was what Newsome called “the first recognition he has received over all these years.

“Family Assistance usually treats him to lunch. He’s a small fellow but that guy eats a full meal, I’ll tell you. (laughs). It’s been very rewarding

for him. I’ll bet HPD hasn’t had a volunteer with that longevity with the sensitive to handle funerals.

“I’ve taken him to suicides with me. He usually speaks to the family member. The purpose of a spiritual leader is to give the family members the words they need to move on.

“He lets them know that there are 20 different things you’ve got to get together and that they must ask themselves: What is next and how am I going to pay for it. No two funerals are the same.”

Newsome said Lewis imagines himself in the shoes of the family member being on his feet and quoted him as using an approach that’s much like “How would you want someone to deal with your wife (in similar circumstances)?”

“He’s very uplifting at the end of a funeral,” Newsome said. “He’s only 5-foot-8 but he’s a giant.

“When I’m driving to a funeral with him he puts the stories together where the deceased is an honoree. That takes skills and wisdom and it’s part of his volunteerism.”

Lewis stays candid when he compares the past to the present but always remains optimistic about lessons learned and the brightness of the future.

“From 25 years ago to this day there’s a total difference in officers out of the police academy. The psychological racism just ain’t there. It can’t be where the new police is there.”

Lewis laments today’s “poverty pimps who know no other recourse but to over-dramatize” one negative event or episode. His personally-led “Thumbs Up” practice has drawn on-the-record support from members of Congress, elected officials at City Hall and the Courthouse, the U. S. Marine Corps, the 100 Club of Greater Houston, law enforcement personnel such as Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Constable Ruben Davis and two more former HPD stalwarts, Pasadena Police Chief Mike Thaler and Houston School District Police Chief Jimmie Dodson.

“The poverty pimps take one issue, overdramatize it and make it look like all police are bad. Then all police are always guilty until proven innocent.

“Chief Bradford couldn’t pay me. He made me the assistant chaplain to the Police Department. The police officers treat me just like one of them. That being the case, I’ve had a chance to feel the heartbeat of those officers on the street, uptown or wherever.

“The poverty pimps make the police look bad. But me? I give ‘em the thumbs up.”

Continues from Page 11

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As the Midwest Division Officer of the Month, Officer George Francies was instrumental in resolving two armed robbery incidents.

In the first incident, Officer Francies was involved in the pursuit and arrest of two armed bank robbery suspects. These suspects eluded police for a lengthy amount of time but were eventually captured with the assistance of a tracking device placed inside the stolen money.

During the second incident, a suspect had used a weapon and violently robbed a woman. Officer Francies provided invaluable assistance by locating key evidence in the investigation.

Officer Francies should also be commended for his arrest of several suspects with warrants and for responding to over 100 calls for service during the month of December, thus earning him recognition as the Midwest Top Producer for the month.

Francies Recognizedas Midwest Top Producer

Midwest Officer George Francies

HPOU named Joseph Babineaux, Chris Slater and Arturo Bazan the Patrol Officers of the Month in the Union’s January general membership meeting.

HPOU’s Luis Menendez-Sierra enlightened members about why the three officers deserved the monthly honor.

“On Sept. 6, a suspect entered the residence located in the 8700 block of Sultan and sexually assaulted a female complainant at knifepoint. After the sexual assault, the suspect stole articles from the complainant and then stole her 1998 Honda Accord.

“The primary unit made the scene and conducted the initial investigation. Sgt. F. Ortiz was in the area and gathered valuable information regarding this crime and the location where the suspect had last been seen. Sgt. Ortiz contacted Sgt. A. Bazan of the Northeast Division Tctical United, passed along this information and requested the Tactical Unit’s assistance.

“Officer J. D. Babineaux and Officer C. L. Slater of the Northeast Tact United followed up on Sgt. Ortiz’s information and located the complainant’s stolen vehicle in the 7500 block of Laura Koppe. Officers found it unoccupied, but interviewed witnesses who advised the officers of the suspect’s possible location.

“Officers Babineaux and Slater, along with Sgt. Bazan went to the location and spoke with additional witnesses. Officers received consent to search from the home owner. The suspect was located inside this residence.

“The suspect in this case had two previous convictions for sexual assault and after presenting the facts to the district attorney the suspect was charged with robbert and rape.

“Due to these officers’ dedication and alertness, a dangerous predator was taken off the stree before he could harm more citizens.”

Patrol Officer of Month HonorGoes to 3 Relentless Officers

Menendez-Sierra presents latest Patrol Officers of the Month honor to Sgt. Arturo Bazan and Officers Joseph Babineaux and Chris Slater in the January general membership meeting. GARY HICKS PHOTO

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Editor’s Note: The HPOU is one of the sponsors for Kirby McErlane’s ongoing foreign mission trip that is taking her to 11 countries. Kirby is the daughter of HPD Senior Police Officer Neil McErlane. Here is Kirby’s latest column from the field. As a further note this month, Kirby is still $1,400 short of the fundraising she needs to continue on this project. All donations should be made to Adventures in Missions with Adventures in Missions with the memo line Kirby McErlane/The World Race and sent to 322 Darby Trails, Sugar Land, TX 77479.By KIRBY McERLANEMinistry opportunities happen everywhere. For me, I learned that they can take place on the crowded streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia on New Years Eve. Our squad had a wild and fun adventure of riding in multiple tuk tuks (common form of transportation in Asia) to a lively festival where we celebrated the New Year. We arrived in an area that was playing loud music so of course we all busted out of our tuk tuks and in typical J Squad fashion, created our own dance party. We definitely caused a scene but hey, it was well worth it. As we made our way to the bridge where the countdown was going to take place, I noticed my squad mate Justin sitting next to a blind man who was playing his guitar. This man had a can beside him in the hopes that others would drop some money in as they passed him.

I noticed a little girl who looked to be about four years old sitting next to Justin and I immediately felt a prompting from the Holy Spirit to walk over to her. She was wrapped in a very thin blanket. Her head continued to rock back and forth because she was in and out of sleep. What she needed was to lie down, but she was without a pillow or anyone to hold and comfort her.

We could tell she was hesitant to trust us. As I stroked her hair and scratched her back, her eyes drifted to sleep but then would soon open

up again because she was trying to stay awake. We were both trying to sooth her and keep her warm (yes, it was a chilly night for Cambodia).

I began to inch closer to the little girl and guided her to rest on my arm. She was reluctant but eventually relaxed her head against me. After a while, I began to position her so that she could lie down and rest her head on my leg.

Justin and I sat there with this precious child and we began to pray over her. The New Year came but we were not fazed by the commotion. All that mattered was right in front of us.

Eventually, it was time for Justin and me to meet back with our squad but all we wanted was for this girl to rest. She was sound asleep on my lap and I did not want to wake her.

Luckily, her grandmother came by right when we needed to go. My hope was that she was there to take the little girl home. I don’t know if she even has a home. I don’t know where she laid her head for the night. I do know for a short while, she was comforted, loved on and prayed over.

Truthfully, I’ve never sat with a child who belonged to a “beggar.” I’ve never had a child sleep on my lap that I didn’t know personally.

God led me to this child so she would receive His love, affection and comfort. Would you join me in praying that God would provide a place for this sweet little one to lay her head?

She may be forced to sit on the streets night after night while her grandfather plays his instrument for money. God’s heart is for every child to be taken care of and He surely cares and adores the girl Justin and I had the pleasure of spending our New Years Eve with.

Kirby McErlaneRinging in New Year Brought Restfor Cambodian Child

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By TOM KENNEDYJena Kincaid, daughter of fallen HPD Sgt. Kent Kincaid, will once again participate in the Law Enforcement United bike ride during Police Week this May, an event that winds up in the nation’s capital and benefits survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

In Jena’s words:

“This year I would like to ride 240 miles through Virginia, not only in honor of my dad but also in honor of fallen Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron.

Rebuilding Lives

“Officer Padron left behind two daughters who are the same age as my sister and I were when we lost our dad.

“I would like to raise money to ensure that COPS can be there for these little girls as they face the harsh journey of growing up every day without their hero. This money will go directly towards COPS Kids camp where I truly believe is where I learned to laugh and have fun again.”

Sgt. Kincaid was shot and killed May 23, 1998 after confronting several suspects who damaged his windshield while he and his wife were driving to meet friends for dinner.

His killer received the death penalty, a sentence that has yet to be administered.

Nancy Kincaid is vice president of the Houston chapter of COPS, Concerns of Police

Survivors, Inc., which provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforce-ment officers killed in the line of duty.

Jena was 10 years old at the time of her father’s murder, while her sister Courtney was six. Jena now teaches special education in the Leander Independent School District near Austin.

Nancy Kincaid said that the annual bike ride lasts three days and culminating with the Police Memorial Day activities in Washington, DC, on May 14.

“This is Jena’s second year to ride for LEU,” Nancy Kincaid, her mother and Sgt. Kincaid’s surviving wife, told the Badge & Gun. “The ride involves thousands and thousands of bike riders coming in from all directions,” Nancy explained.

“Jena will be part of the only Texas team, sponsored by the Carrollton Police Department.

“They will transport all the bikes to Virginia in a van. The riders will fly up a day or two in advance to get to know everybody and get ready for the bike ride. Jena doesn’t anticipate any problems getting the time off from school that she needs to participate.

Funding Needed

“Last year was her first year to participate. She didn’t know a single person but by the end of the ride there were a number of police officers who took her under their wing and helped her.

“They know she is a survivor, and she was very impressed with the whole organization.”

Each participant must raise $1,300 as their individual contribution to the bike ride. HPOU has kicked in $250.

Nancy said any member of the HPD/HPOU family may contribute by going to this website:

http://www.razoo.com/story/Jena-S-2013-Road-To-Hope

Jena said, “Donating to this cause will help to honor the lives of fallen officers, including my father and also ensure that services can be provided to help other survivors to piece their life back together.

“I was 10 years old when I became a part of Concerns of Police Survivors. COPS was there for me when my dad couldn’t be. COPS provided me with a support network to help me not feel isolated in my grief and to understand the overwhelming flood of emotions that a child should never have to understand.

“Meeting other children who would live the rest of their lives never seeing their parent again, for the same reasons, helped me to not feel ashamed or embarrassed for being different.

“COPS has helped me to remember my dad for the admirable life that he lived on and off duty and encourages me to live the same life of honor and compassion towards others.”

Kincaid’s daughter Jena participatingIn annual bike ride benefitting COPS

The Kincaid family in happier times: Kent and Nancy and daughters Courtney and Jena.

Jean Kincaid in an action shot during last year’s bike ride

Kent Kincaid in an early picture with his daughter Jena

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SERVING THE ALARM NEEDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Keith Margavio6630 Roos Road • Houston, Texas 77006

713-524-6537 • [email protected]

Graphic Design & Illustration

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By TOM KENNEDYSince Officer Peter Dung was the only Vietnamese-speaking officer on the Eveningt Shift at Eastside, he was the logical choice to establish a stronger relationship with members of the Vietnamese community.

In the spring of 2011 he enlisted the help of HPD’s Public Affairs to help make his liaison efforts successful.

Eastside now wants to let out the success story that has resulted. Dung has gone well beyond the call of duty, going so far as to use his own money to pay for Christmas presents for Vietnamese children on the beat.

“Officer Dung then began meeting with the community three times a year,” Eastside Sgt. Jim DeMartin told the Badge & Gun. “During these meetings he has given a crime prevention presentation and provided informational pamphlets. He has also helped resolve a number of non-police matters. “Additionally, Officer Dung has introduced several members of the Houston Police Department to the community. Each week he is in contact with the apartment managers so that he can stay abreast of any of the residents’ concerns. “On one occasion he contacted the City of Houston and had several potholes and street lights repaired. “Officer Dung is the only Vietnamese-speaking officer assigned to the Eastside Division Evening Shift which ensures that he is always busy. His peers value input and often request his assistance to translate.”

Dung’s well-planned meetings with the Vietnamese on the Eastside happen three times a year. DeMartin describes them as “like PIP meetings” held in an apartment complex where the residents only speak Vietnamese.

That takes us to the events of Dec. 22 on the east side.

Dung organized the first-ever Christmas event for about 100 Vietnamese children, each of whom received special Christmas gifts. “Officer Dung used his own money to purchase a number of these gifts,” Sgt. DeMartin reported.

“Numerous children were provided with Christmas gifts which made their holiday season more enjoyable. Officer Dung has stated he plans to make this an annual event and hopes that next year’s event will be even more successful.”

Officer Dung’s Vietnamese Liaison Rolean Exciting Eastside Police Success Story

Senior Police Officer Larry Tidwell of South Central, a field training officer for more than 10 years, was honored in January as the FTO of the Month in a presentation ceremony at the HPOU general membership meeting.

During his time as a field training officer, “Officer Tidwell has always gone the extra mile to train probationary officers,” according to his sergeant, D. H. Peoples.

“Senior Officer Tidwell also prepares and instructs the orientation training for the new probationary officers when they arrive at South Central,” Peoples said in his nomination. “The probationary officers that Officer Tidwell has trained have only great things to say about him.

“If all my FTOs were like Officer Tidwell, I would have nothing to do.”

Tidwell Honored as FTO of Month

Senior Police Officer Larry D. Tidwell, center, receives FTO of the Month honor from Sgt. Kraig Buchanan and Sgt. Donald H. Peoples. GARY HICKS PHOTO

Officer Dung pictured with some of the Vietnamese children who received gifts at Dec. 22 party at Eastside

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By E. R. GODWIN – RMS Project TeamNow that the holidays are over, I wanted to provide the department with an update about the new Records Management System or RMS. As we have talked about before, the RMS project is the total replacement for OLO / MDT and Jail Systems that we have been using for decades.

The Records Management System (RMS) Project is currently on track for a December 2013 release date and one of our tasks is to train the entire department in an extremely short time frame.

Unlike other endeavors that you experienced, where training was strictly “On the Job,” a thirty-minute video, or just flat out non-existent, we are taking a very different approach in the release of RMS.

It is my belief that the training phase of this project is the most important. At the end of the day, if our personnel do not know how to use it, even the best and most comprehensive report writing system is useless . We have taken a very aggressive and comprehensive approach to training and I wanted to give you a glimpse of what this will entail.

The training is broken down into various modules so that people from different specialized areas will get the training they need specific to their job function. The six modules are Basic, Investigative, Records, Juvenile Records, Identification, and the Jail. Each module will have a core group of trainers who teach the material to the end users. We have also begun to identify, what we call “super users” for each module.

The super user will be given the same advanced training as a trainer, but will remain in his or her division to be the initial contact point in providing answers to questions relating to the use of the product or software. This will afford officers the resource within their division to have one on one attention and work through the issue without having to call a help desk to resolve their questions. The super user will be a tremendous asset and will ensure the questions are answered quickly.

I will be asking for volunteers to become trainers and super users in the near future. Trainers and super users will receive advanced training and will have extensive access to the system before end user training begins. It is my goal that all trainers and super users are volunteers, because I believe they will provide the best training for the end users.

Once the trainers and super users are trained, the next phase is end user training. This is where the training gets aggressive. Within the timeframe that we have been allotted, it is our goal to train the entire department in approximately five weeks. I know there are many people who just spit out their coffee from the shock of what I just said, but let me explain some of the details.

We will be training at various locations around the city such as the Academy, Westside, North, Southeast, 1301 Fannin, and possibly other locations depending on equipment allocations. Training will be on all three shifts, on an “on-duty” status, and will be held six days a week. Scheduling of manpower will be essential to this process working. Division Managers will be given their allocation of seats and locations and are responsible that their personnel receive the mandatory training.

Training for the Basic module is scheduled as a two day class and is TCLEOSE accredited. Other training modules will typically require an additional day per module. I am sure that when you leave the training you will feel confident in performing your job as with OLO, but faster, smarter, and with less paperwork. It is also the project team’s responsibility to make sure that you have enough information to do your job and to that end, we are going to have instruction manuals, help cards, online learning videos, and more, all to make this transition easier.

I need everyone to understand that this system is unlike anything else the department has done in recent memory and it is going to reach almost every facet of your job. From writing a report, jail bookings, charges, case management, records and even the software on the Mobile Data Computer, it is all changing.

The Chief of Police has pledged the department’s support and with attention to training, we can all make it happen. If you have any questions about the RMS Project, the upcoming training phase, or would like to be a trainer or super user, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at (832) 394-5014 and I will be happy to answer your questions.

December ReleaseHPD’s RMS Success Depends on the Training

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By TOM KENNEDYSenior Police Officer Rodney Jaime quickly gets to the key points of HPD’s innovative Medic Trauma Training course, a year-old endeavor that has already trained 350 officers to treat serious wounds sustained in high-risk policing scenarios.

Jaime was instrumental in the development of the course and reflects the passion of a Houston officer who has policed the streets most of his 20-year career.

‘Do Know Harm’“If you look at this way: if you’re an officer, you would rather die in a trail of blood than die in a pool of blood.

“If you are wounded, you want somebody to do something. Get me out of here. And provide a fighting chance that knowing the type of wound and proper medical procedures will enable the officer with you to do something!

“As police officers, we’ve seen blood and guts. But we haven’t had our hands in blood and guts, sometimes our own. Let’s say you are hit in the femoral artery (the large one in your thigh). If you don’t stop the blood, you could bleed out in a few minutes. HFD is on the way but might not get there in time.

“You must act fast, remembering that tactics come first – suspects aren’t giving up. You take care of the bad guy first. Medical problems solved with tactical solutions. That’s easier said than done. Good medicine can be bad tactics.”

The two-day in-service course has prioritized TACT units, gang units, warrant execution teams and Crime Reduction Units.

As Jaime put it, heretofore in Houston, officers can get “stuck in a loop.”

He said, “We never want to see our partners hurt. But if they are, we must control our emotions. They find their partner wounded and know that HFD paramedics are trained to handle these emergency situations. Often, however, by following this routine, the trauma victim greatly suffers or could even die while the ambulance is on the way.

The course teaches officers how to “break the loop and take action.”

Jaime uses the tactical medic’s motto: “Do know harm – do no harm.”

The course, taught by five veteran HPD officers with close to 100 years’ experience on the oftimes dangerous Houston streets, details the proper medical tactics that work hand-in-glove with proper policing tactics.

This entails how to pinch an artery from a gushing bloody neck wound and addressing associated complications.

The drills and equipment used answer the crucial questions:

What if a fellow officer is hit by a gunfire – or even cut by a sharp object – when in pursuit of a suspect?

What if this is a severe car accident during a chase or just during everyday patrol?

What if the wounds are life-threatening and HFD paramedics are too far away to save his/her life?

What if the threat is still active? HFD paramedics are proficient in trauma care, not chasing bad guys.

Officers learn the proper way to deal with three major possibilities that could happen to officers in harm’s way, say, in the line of fire:

Hemorrhage controlSucking chest woundsAirway complications

And this is why officers who take the class learn to apply a tourniquet -- known as a Combat Application Tourniquet or CAT – to an arm or leg in 20 seconds as well as the proper way to apply a chest seal or “nose hose.”

This training is straight from the military’s tactical combat casualty care. Medical procedure and equipment are constantly being improved from the battlefields. The Department is lucky to have returning military veterans who have been through the combat

Medic Trauma Trainingputs officers through a real-life test that combines policing tactics with the life-saving first aid strategies needed when serious wounds are sustained while on the streets of Houston

The Medic Trauma Training team consists of officers whose HPD experience add up to almost 100 years. They are, left to right: Rich McCusker, Kent Winebrener, Sgt. Bryan Garrison, Steve Zakharia and Rodney Jaime. GARY HICKS PHOTO.

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lifesaver’s course. They are already trained and some on their own carry the same life-saving equipment as officers who have completed this course.

The trainers, led by Sgt. Bryan Garrison, put participants through one day of classroom instruction at the academy, followed by another day of realistic drills, where they learn to treat their own “wounds” suffered in realistic drills, as well as multiple gunshot that impair colleagues in tactical situations.

Garrison said, “The overall concept is that we are all servants to our students to ensure we can pass along information we have obtained to make these officers better equipped to conduct their mission and, more importantly, to go home to their families when the job is accomplished.

“We’re not any better than the people we train - we’re merely blessed to be in a position to create and implement coordinated training and do our best to properly pass it on to those still on the tip of the spear.”

Officers fire live rounds in some of the drills but start each one with dry fire, thus always training for success.

Trainees respond to a drill in which a warrant execution turns violent and officers must administer to a wounded colleague in the pitch dark of a crowded bathroom. Trainers deemed the injured officer “saved.”GARY HICKS PHOTO.

Policing IronyFirst beneficiaryof Medic Trauma TrainingTurns out to be fleeingsuspect seized by K-9By TOM KENNEDYThe first known success story emanating from HPD’s Medic Trauma Training entailed saving the life of a profusely bleeding suspect.

While this special two days of training was patterned after military medical maneuvers and designed to provide officers with training in the medical tactics needed to save the lives of fellow officers, the first real-life application involved an HPD K-9 and a 15year-old suspect.

As a chase ensued last fall, Southeast officers used a K-9 to do the job, and the job was done successfully.

During the capture the K-9 clamped down on the young suspect’s brachia artery, the major blood vessel of the upper arm, causing profuse bleeding.

Medical facts show that if a tourniquet is not applied within a matter of minutes, a person could “bleed out” before paramedics are able to get to the scene.

The young man was losing lots of blood, quickly drawing the attention of a Southeast officer who had Medic Trauma Training as well as the tactical first aid kit assigned to those who complete the program.

The officer applied the tourniquet to the suspect’s upper arm, thus stunting the blood loss rate until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived at the scene.

“The officer had been trained only two weeks before,” said Officer Rodney Jaime, the lead trainer in the Medic Trauma Training program.

Jaime stressed that the experience should enlighten officers to the fact that the train-ing enables them not only to save the lives of their fellow officers but also to innocent civilians – as well as criminal suspects – who might sustain a life-threatening injury or wound at the hands of a crime perpetrator.

“Every officer should be medically trained,” the course advocate said, “especially those on the street. If you’re carrying a gun, you need to have this training. If you don’t know how to fix these (major wounds), there’s a high probability you’re going to die.

“You can also take these skills home to your family. I know of a kid who fell through a plate glass window and his father the officer knew what to do to stop the bleeding.

“And a lot of officers do a lot of hunting. They should know what to do to keep their children alive in case of an accident.”

Jaime also dared to say that the dreaded death-in-custody cases would likely be lessened if more officers had the training about what actions to take before paramedics arrive.

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Realistic Drills“We’re big on dry fire,” Jaime explained. “The more you dry fire, the more you iron out your kinks and concentrate on you and not the target. You get your mechanics correct.”

These mechanics are now built into your muscle memory.

The drills start out basic but get more complicated as each plateau is completed. The first drill, for example, simulates an officer getting hit in his weak arm and taking cover so he can apply a tourniquet to his own wound in 20 seconds and continue tactical operations.

The trainers allow you to “take your time” the first few efforts but ultimately put on the time pressure.

Subsequent drills get more complicated, with an officer needing to apply a tourniquet to his partner’s arm and leg and a chest seal to block air from entering into the chest cavity sustained from a gun shot.

“You know it (tourniquet) is on right if it hurts,” Sgt. Garrison explained. “Those tourniquets should be tight. When you put your partner’s tourniquet on, he should be cursing you.”

Another trainer, Officer Steve Zakharia, addressed what is literally a “touchy” subject.

A chest wound necessitates removal of the shirt and protective vest.

“The chest seal must be applied to bare skin,” Zakharia explained. “You’ve got to get the vest and shirt off to apply a chest seal.”

There were two female officers participating in the session, so Zakharia and the others answered the obvious questions.

In the drills, officers merely simulated the removals.

In a real-life situation involving a wounded policewoman, officers are urged to “be as modest as possible under the circumstances,” while bearing in mind that saving a life is the ultimate goal.

The officers got detailed individual attention, as each of the trainers has only four or five officers under his supervision.

The HPD dean of the bunch is Officer Kent Winebrener, who said, “In May, it’ll be 30 years for me.” Winebrener has seen many changes over those three decades but couldn’t be more pleased with the Department’s emphasis on better training – especially when it’s not in a classroom viewing PowerPoint presentations day in and day out.

Winebrener has spent most of his 30 years on Patrol, seeing enough to be an extra strong advocate for Medic Trauma Training.

“What we originally designed and pushed for was to train everybody in Patrol. People’s lives are at stake every day. But to do Patrol first was

too big a chore. We do want to put 2,000 or 3,000 (medic trained officers) on the street.”

Each of the trainers was steadfast in crediting the people in the Department who worked hard – some as long as three or four years – to see the program’s implementation. Winebrener identified Sgt. Heath Bounds as the earliest advocate for this training program for the department.

Jaime said Sgt. Bounds of the North Shepherd TACT “initiated the idea of this training and equipment several years ago.”

TeamworkA key turning point came when Jaime, Bounds and others learned that Executive Assistant Chief K. A. Munden was envisioning the same kind of program. They combined efforts, while the Houston Police Officers Union paid Jaime’s tuition in an advanced military-style medic trauma training program held in 2009 in Nacogdoches.

Jaime said the program was conducted by Combat Shooting and Tactics (CSAT), which provides training based on Tier 1 experience quality instruction to law enforcement officers and government agencies. CSAT was founded and is run by Paul Howe. Howe has more than 20 years in the U. S. military service and 10 years in the Army’s Elite Special Operations. In addition, he served as a team medic.

Jaime and another Medic Trauma Training officer, Rich McCusker, went back to CSAT for a six-day tactical medical integration course,

Class participants try to put on their game faces prior to the final drill of a Medic Trauma Training class at Hogan’s Alley on Jan. 8. GARY HICKS PHOTO.

Rodney Jaime issues instructions to officer trainees who attempt to stop the bleeding of a wounded officer in extremely close and traumatic confines.GARY HICKS PHOTO.

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Continues from Page 26which Jaime described as “the cornerstone for tactics in a medical situation.”

Training programs like this one readily attract the attention of Police Chief Charles McClelland, who has made training one of his top priorities. In addition, Capt. Dwayne Ready, who heads the academy “provided guidance, advice and helped purchase training equipment. Lt. Spence Coker also was a strong support; Coker oversees cadet training and the Tactical Training Unit.

Jaime also singled out Senior Police Officer Erica Fuentes, who works with the Houston Police Foundation while serving under Executive Assistant Chief Tim Oettmeier. “She made the process easy,” he said, while also crediting Chief Oettmeier for his full support.

Jaime credited Lisa Spivey of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, which provides support to agencies for preparedness training for trauma, stroke, cardiac care and pediatrics’ services. SETRAC also administers federal and state grant money for stakeholders such as Houston/Harris County. Funding was provided to the Tactical Training Unit.

“Lisa is passionate about getting law enforcement on the same page with the medical community right now and not when catastrophic events happen,” Jaime said.

Like many of his fellow officers who are determined to give credit where it is surely due, Jaime identified three others for their work and dedication. They were:

Joe Fenwick of the Academy, a “jack of all trades who provided assistance with overall development of the class”; Sgt. Stuart Harris of Planning and Development, who dealt with vendors and worked closely with Chief Munden’s office; and Cat Godden of Emergency Medical Solutions, who “provided moral support and training.”

Jaime said, “Thanks to Paul Garcia of Strategic Skills Training Institute in San Antonio, which provided quality medical education and cer-tification. And I must not forget Ray Hunt, president of HPOU, for funding my initial training. Without HPOU, the inspiration to further officer medical training would not have happened.”

Funding, as always, was problematic, although the Houston Police Foundation provided the funds needed to pay for the $115-120 tactical first aid kits issued to each graduate of the course to take on the streets.

“Thank God for the foundation,” Winebrener said. “If it wasn’t for them, we still wouldn’t have kits on the street. With those kits on the road everybody out there will be safer and have a much better chance of surviving.

“We teach getting the tourniquet in place in 20 seconds from the time we say go. The tourniquet must be out, in place and tied down. In a real-life situation, you are running, your heart rate is elevated and you’re going to pump out faster.

“You may lose consciousness in less than a minute. You may not be able to perform the functions to get it in place. We’re shooting for 20 seconds.

“It’s something you do with urgency. We’re not talking about a minor cut. We’re talking about massive hemorrhaging. This is very freighting.”

Passionate CrusadersAll five of the trainers show their own particular passion for the program. The fifth member of the team is Senior Police Officer Rich McCusker, an 18-year HPD veteran and resident expert in tactical skills, combat mindset and leadership. As you might expect, he’s a former SWAT officer.

Jaime likely won’t be please until every gun-toting HPD officer has the Medic Trauma Training course under the belt and carries the tactical first aid kit. He received his first medical training while in the military. He said at the time he was in the service a tourniquet “was a last resort. This was the standard military practice right up until about 2004.”

Then, while off-duty and on his way home out of uniform on the night of May 18, 2010, he was the first person to arrive at the scene of a one-car automobile accident on the North Freeway access road, near Troy Road.

An HPD patrol car had struck a guardrail and it looked to him like the driver’s door was open when it was actually pushed into the passenger seat.

Jaime found fellow Officer Eydelmen Mani trapped inside and seriously injured. Mani “was fighting me” in the shock and panic of the traumatic accident as he was bleeding internally.

Rescue crews extricated Mani from the vehicle and transported him to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died early May 19.

Ever since this tragedy, Officer Jaime has been passionate about the medical trauma training he and his four fellow trainers administer at the academy.

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MITSUBISHI

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Check out the new HPOU website at hpou.org

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Ray,On behalf of Operation Lone Star – Texans Supporting Our Troops and the heroes we serve, I want to thank you, the Board of Directors and the Houston Police Officers Union for the generous donation we received as a result of the 3rd Annual Stars and Stripes Charity Golf Tournament.

HPOU’s support of Operation Lone Star will ensure that we accomplish our stated mission of providing fellowship, guidance, encouragement and support to the members of the United States Armed Forces who are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans and their families.

Thanks to all of you for supporting our troops. And on a personal level, thank you for your continued friendship.

JimJim Conley, President

Operation Lone Star-Texans Supporting Our Troops

Dear Houston Police Officers Union, Thank you for the beautiful flowers sent to my husband Ken Irving’s church memorial service. We feel so honored to be considered part of the HPD through Ken’s brother Robert W. Irvin Jr.

Janet Irving

HPOU,Thank you so much! Dad would have felt so honored and pleased!

Roy Lee RobertsonMartha Ann, Rex, Mark, Cheryl, Stewart

HPOU,Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and kindness during this difficult time.

The Family of Mark McClane

HPOU,The family of Bernice Ruchti acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind experession of sympathy. Thank you for the beautiful green plant.

The Ruchti Family

Ray,We wanted to thank you for the honor you paid to our son and all the fallen sons of HPD officers. We are always so touched by people who show us how much they care. It was a wonderful tribute and touching ceremony. Thank you again.

Semper Fidelis,Jeannine, Frank and Meghan Miller

HPOU 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi is flanked on the left by Luis Menendez-Sierra and MADD’s Will Womble and on the right by Mike Spears of MADD and Officer Don Egdorf of the HPD. They all appeared at the Dec. 23 news conference updating the Union’s Courtesy Ride Program. Gamaldi and HPOU President Ray Hunt took the lead at the press conference that produced a Page One Houston Chronicle story. MADD PHOTO.

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(Editor’s Note: This is the third of a three-part series on former Police Chief Harry Caldwell).By TOM KENNEDYThe drowning death of Jose Campos Torres had drawn the close attention of the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights, making the Houston Police Department the primary subject of a 1979 hearing.

Police Chief Harry Caldwell was working night and day to improve HPD’s record with Houston’s minority communities and doing everything in his power to keep the department from going into federal receivership – a possibility Caldwell has said was highly probable according to an unnamed Justice Department official.

Only three weeks before the hearing, newly named U. S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti stated that the Justice Department had no plans to lodge charges of police brutality against HPD.

Mysterious Official

The statement came as no surprise to Caldwell, who told The Houston Post “that’s what Mr. Civiletti told me more than a month ago.” Civiletti would not confirm as early as 2005 that he was the government official who suggested to Caldwell that HPD could wind up in federal receivership.

But Caldwell said it was about this time that a high-ranking official from the Justice

Department called him and said he was doing a good job in reaching out to the community and that the continued improvement would perish any thoughts of HPD receivership.

The following month The Houston Post published a series entitled “Crime in the City” that decried the HPD’s lack of technology and long-range planning, two areas Caldwell, earlier in his career, had planned to address if he ever got to be police chief. They remained high priorities in his heart but not on a realistic HPD agenda whose highest goal was to make Hispanics feel a part of Houston’s law enforcement community.

“Houston police officials admit they can barely keep track of crime, much less check its wild growth,” the story said. Crime was up considerably in 1979, while felony arrests were down and final case dispositions down to 15.4 percent. A new speedy-trial rule that moved cases through the courts more quickly resulted in an increase in convictions, from 9,405 to 11,382 since 1975.

As usual, Patrol officers bore the brunt of problems created by an under-staffed, overloaded workday in which prioritized calls often resulted in citizens having to wait more than an hour to see a police officer. One conclusion in the story was that, in essence, “crime is controlling the police department more than the police department is controlling crime.” One of the problems was the decade in which Police Chief Herman Short refused to allow HPD to accept federal funds, putting the department far behind in police-related technological advancements.

Caldwell put his own well-studied, highly opinionated spin on the subject. He pointed out that officers have less time fighting street crime when they have to answer so many calls for service, due in part to recent court decisions precluding the police from being pro-active and making them be more “reactive.” The same held true for every department in the nation during this period.

The chief decried low salaries and an understaffed department in which only 350 uniformed officers were on patrol in Houston during the prime hours for criminal activity – from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. Houston’s sprawling city limits, then consisting of 558 square miles, translated to having one officer for every 1.6

square miles and 5,000 citizens. The ratios were the lowest in the nation, surpassing only San Antonio in the major city category.

The chief felt the problem was not just budgetary – lack of funds has been the primary reason the department has been underpaid and understaffed throughout history – but discouraging to recruiters. It was difficult, he said, to find qualified officers willing to be shot at, abused and second-guessed for a starting patrol officer’s salary of about $16,000 a year. Not only did Caldwell envision a police force 5,000 strong but also annual salaries starting at $24,000.

Short’s decision not to accept federal funding resulted in other big cities such as Dallas getting more than their fair share to be used for automated record-keeping and radio-dispatching, while HPD continued to use an age-old manual system. Vital reports of rapes, robberies and burglaries sometimes took several days to pass from the street to investigators, leaving cold trails to suspects. Not only were commissioned officers underpaid, so, too, were civilian employees. The department employed 634 of them in June 1979, paying an average of just $141 a week.

Not surprisingly, the Harris County Defense Lawyers Association and the American Civil Liberties Union voiced criticism of the department for paying too much attention to “penny-ante surface crime, the victims of vice and pornography.” Houston Police Officers Association President Jim Albright opined that 200 officers were assigned to areas that could be filled by civilians. Caldwell took exception to each of these opinions, asserting that relatively few officers were assigned to vice. “No police department in the United States is being managed more efficiently with better policies than this one,” he said.

No Quick Fixes

The issue of a money-saving plan to turn over the jail to Harris County for full-time staffing in order to eliminate the need to book a prisoner twice, once in the city jail and later in the county jail, cropped up. It wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last. In 1979, the department estimated that 142 officers and supervisors would be freed up for street duty if such a plan were initiated. In the more

The Caldwell YearsChief Took Many Giant Strides Forwardwith Minority Communities yet oftenFailed to Delegate his Authority

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Continues from Page 32than quarter of a century since, the plan has gotten nowhere.

Another traditional “quick fix” also has proven itself to be fallible over the years – the idea of a sales tax increase dedicated solely to the police and fire departments. Such a plan so touted in 1967 supposedly put a one-cent sales tax into place. Over the years the amount reached more than $100 million and was lumped into the general budget as required by law. Each time that a new sales tax dedicated solely to public safety departments has surfaced at the City Council table, the more enlightened council members have quoted this background and the proposed taxing measure quickly died.

Harry Caldwell was a strict chief. He wanted the department to have a good image, actually aspiring to make it the best in the nation. He created the Internal Affairs Division and the Field Training Division. “Harry,” retired Officer R. W. Lee said in his HPD retirement years, “had the vision of the things the department needed to make it better and had the strength to step out on a limb. A lot of people didn’t like him because he was very authoritative. He wouldn’t pat guys on the back. He believed in better education. He had a master’s degree and was a candidate for a doctor’s degree when he was chief. He wanted the department elevated in ability. He wanted high standards so nobody could become a police officer if he were not of high moral character.”

“Harry Caldwell,” retired Sergeant J. C. Mosier said, “was the first chief to recognize the fact that HPD had to generate good PR.”

The former Marine drill instructor set up the Chicano Squad in the Homicide Division, a group of fifteen to twenty Spanish-speaking Patrol officers whose abilities were needed to better communicate with a growing number of Hispanic victims, witnesses and suspects. The formation of the special squad came when none of the investigative divisions had job descriptions requiring the rank of police officer. The officers there were at the higher rank of detective. Initially, there were problems with the detectives until a supervisor or two, frustrated with large caseloads, said, “If you learn how to speak Spanish we wouldn’t need these patrolmen.”

Wearing Thin

As usual, everybody had an opinion. Suddenly people from the Patrol ranks were perform-ing the same functions as those in the higher sergeant/detective level. On the other side of the coin, these patrol officers wouldn’t be paid a dollar more for the work. “They always rob Patrol,” one sergeant at the time remembered.

Caldwell’s hardened attitude really wore thin by the time his boss, Mayor Jim McConn, was reelected to a second term in a November runoff election in 1979. Caldwell had solidified his job security despite the baggage he carried with his troops. None of his three assistant chiefs voiced glowing reviews in The Houston Post when Caldwell was in London for a conference just before the November 20 runoff election.

The assistant chiefs, B. K. Johnson, Tommy Mitchell and R. G. McKeehan each said in their own way that Caldwell was spending too much time on PR and not enough on providing basic police services. Their statements reflected the fact that the steadfast drill instructor wasn’t wearing well on the department’s rank and file. The chief also had irked them with his expressed hope of changing Civil Service law to make assistant and deputy chief positions appointive and not totally dependent on tests. Another straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back was a quote from a recent speech Caldwell made in Fort Worth in which he referred to the average age of his officers. “I don’t have sergeants anymore,” he said, “I have room mothers.”

The McConn campaign had made high-profile issues out of assistant chief appointments and the plan to put more minorities in HPD leadership positions. At the same time he reminded voters at every opportunity that the HPOA’s no-confidence vote against Caldwell failed to consider the one vote that mattered, the mayor’s.

B.K. Johnson conceded that Caldwell had had to deal with numerous touchy issues but caused “a hell of a lot of dissention.” McKeehan and Mitchell voiced criticism for Caldwell’s lack of an effective civilianization plan and his avowed dedication to “social policing,” manifested in the large number of officers deployed when the police chief of Mexico City visited Houston. Hardly any of these issues had gone unnoticed on Caldwell’s watch. The Post story simply reminded everyone in the department of what they already knew – that the chief was unpopular because of his strict adherence to rules and regulations needed to get a police department with 19th century policies into the 20th century.

In the minds of many mid- and high-level managers in the department, Chief Caldwell had no common courtesy or horse sense. He was overly impulsive, such as the day he issued a policy that detectives should no longer wear cowboy boots, another step away from the department’s “cowboy” image. The order was typed and signed quicker than a heart beat and all hell broke loose. The policy was quickly withdrawn. “Caldwell was impulsive,” another sergeant under him said, “He would say, ‘By God, we’re going to do this.’ And a couple of

days later, ‘No, we’re not.’ The main thing he wanted was your full attention. The main thing he didn’t want was your suggestions. He paid for it. He didn’t get any input because he didn’t want it.”

Caldwell got plenty of suggestions in areas where the department had been obviously weak, particularly in Hispanic affairs. Mamie Garcia handled the minute details of even the smallest police-related matters in the Hispanic community. “The chief would just make sure that we met everybody’s expectations,” Garcia recalled in 2005. “He made sure that we provided whatever the request was, whatever the need was, he made sure that everything was met. It came to the point that police officers and the community were working hand in hand. He allowed us to bring small children to tour the police station.”

Caldwell wanted a special celebration at the police station the day Efrain Leija became the first Hispanic to be promoted to captain. “I want the place packed,” he said. “Fill it up, Mrs. Garcia.” Immediately she excited the east side community, where a prominent bakery owner baked a huge cake commemorating the occasion. Flowers from east side florists were sent free of charge. School buses were arranged to transport Hispanics from community centers throughout the area. The ceremony was held in late 1979 before a jammed-packed courtroom in the Municipal Courts Building next door to 61 Riesner. The place was so overloaded that many citizens were lining the streets outside. A Hispanic was being promoted to police captain!

Tired and Weary

Naturally the event was a signal that HPD was making inroads into the Hispanic community. More and more citizens there were asking Garcia questions beyond the arrangements for crime prevention seminars and workshops. Garcia, the liaison, was putting a growing number of checkmarks beside the suggestions on the three-page document proffered Chief Caldwell less than a year earlier. At least she fielded the same question from more fathers and mothers in her community: What does it take for my children to become Houston police officers?

Garcia reflected in 2005 on what was happening:

“Before, we didn’t have the trust. Before, we didn’t have the networking we have. Before, we didn’t have a friend. The friend was there but we couldn’t say it was the police department. It had to learn how to – shake your hand first, meet you and take you for a cup of coffee. The (effort) continued because of his outstanding work as chief. We had lots of issues and concerns but I had the faith that Harry Caldwell gave me in how to work with others.”

Continues on Page 37

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Continues from Page 34Still, all policing was not nearly perfect with Houston’s minority communities. On February 8, 1980 – in what initially appeared to be another full year of Caldwell leadership in HPD, the federally funded Public Interest Advocacy Center issued a statement saying the Internal Affairs Division was “unresponsive” to complaints of police brutality. The find-ings were turned over to the newly formed Police Advisory Committee for Continued Improvement, a twenty-one-member citizens’ committee set up by Mayor McConn.

Harry Caldwell felt tired and weary after thirty-two months at the department’s helm. Scarcely six weeks into the New Year of 1980, he was – in his own words twenty-four years later – “burned out.”

“If you are charged with the responsibility for protecting the citizens of this city, you’d better step up to the plate,” he said. “I fought a good fight and stayed the course in the most difficult period in the history of this department. I have not left anything in the locker room. Frankly, I’m tired. The last thing the city needs is a ‘chief who is fatigued.’” His announcement shocked most of Houston from Mayor Jim McConn to political leaders in the minority communities and on the police force. He said he planned to accept a job with Houston business entrepreneur and friend Wayne Goettsche to be director of security and community affairs at an undisclosed annual salary believed to be higher than the $57,000 he was making as chief.

The chief admitted to working sixty- to seventy-hour weeks meeting with people in his office, inspecting the troops and participating in innumerable night-time community meetings and forums. He admitted to Houston Post police reporter Fred King that had he known the intensity of the stress involved in resolving crises involving the aftermath of the Joe Campos Torres case, the throw-down gun cases and the related community relations problems, he might not have taken the job. Those familiar with Caldwell knew he had ambitious to be police chief of Houston and would have never turned down the opportunity, even with all the unprecedented problems.

Caldwell said on February 14, two days after announcing his retirement, which was officially effective February 29, 1980:

“All my life I had perceived my administration as the one that opened the police college, established the academic and professional skills of police officers and made us the Athens of the police profession. Unfortunately, about the time I took office (June 1977), there was the Joe Campos Torres case, followed by a series of crises that occurred

prior to my becoming chief. So I dealt with these as best I could and as honorably as I could.

Reflecting, Regrets

“One real regret was I was unable to communicate as significantly as I had hoped to with the entire spectrum of the community.” Caldwell, age forty-eight, also stressed that the department never got full credit for its “significant moral commitment to deal with problems openly and on top of the table. I’m proud of it for that.” He identified his major accomplishment as “having established an irrevocable commitment to moral integrity and accountability.” While pushing age seventy-four at his River Oaks home in September 2004, having recovered from open heart surgery, Harry Caldwell had mellowed and spent more time admitting his mistakes than taking credit for being Houston’s first adamantly progressive chief in history. He continued to express distain for anyone who treats the department unfairly.

Although admitting that his memory has started to fail him, Caldwell remembered standing up to a U. S. Attorney J. A. “Tony” Canales, who wanted him to turn over statements taken by the department in the disciplinary hearings of off icers. The government wanted to use them to prepare a federal indictment against the men. “I always admired moral courage and professional courage,” he said. “I always held myself up to those who exemplify those problems. It’s not popular, but it’s morally right.

Canales called me into his office and threatened to put me in jail because of my failure to provide those statements, which were for internal disciplinary purposes. He wanted statements to use in the criminal prosecution of those officers. I refused to let him. I told him, ‘I’ll see you in the courthouse.’ There would be no constitutional protection for the officer. If you’re accused of sexual assault on a female, you make a statement or I’ll fire you. This was strictly for disciplinary purposes of the department, not for criminal prosecution. The case went away.” Even in retirement, the former chief can spit out analyses and reasoning affecting events of a quarter of a century ago. “In the Torres case,” he said, his drill instructor authoritativeness rearing up, “two things happened. One, there was the lack of frontline supervision. The sergeants were not doing their jobs. They should have known where those officers were. Two, the lack of policy or procedure: The jail refused to accept him (Torres) and said, ‘Take him to Ben Taub.’ They take him to the bayou because of the lack

of policy and frontline supervision. I called a meeting of sergeants and told them they either get in the business of frontline supervision or I’ll find somebody else. This is what the captains, the deputy and assistant chiefs and the sergeants should have done. Nobody wanted to be unpopular. We were headed for rocks and shoals. Any man suffers his ship to run upon rocks and shoals will face court martial.”

The Guard Changes

Caldwell backed down from further military analogies and admitted that he should have delegated more authority to these front liners and realized this was probably his greatest failure as chief. “Had I stayed another two or three years,” he said, “I would have delegated more.”

While Harry Caldwell’s public relations campaign made progress, the department suffered internally, mainly as the result of the chief’s inability to delegate more and share the glory with the rank and file. The Caldwell years were truly years of important transition. Most of Caldwell’s strict policies were left in effect past the year 2000, particularly the general orders manual, firearms registration and the deadly force policy. Internal Affairs is still with HPD, of course, as is the Chicano Squad in the Homicide Division.

Undoubtedly, Caldwell’s most lasting impact came with the thawing of the Houston police’s relationship with the Hispanic community. Mamie Garcia said that even today if Caldwell appears at a community function on the east side he would be greeted warmly as the chief who really opened the department to Hispanics. All but a small percentage of the community, Garcia dared to say, remembers this fact about the department rather than the dreadful, historic debacle that resulted in the death of Torres. Caldwell’s actions in 1978, 1979 and 1980 resulted in police recruiters working more closely with Hispanics. After all, the recruiting team consisted of more black and brown officers than ever before.

A Houston Chronicle article by Lori Rodriguez on the ten-year anniversary date of the Moody Park Riot, quoted Captain E. F. Leija, whose badge-pinning ceremony made history, as estifying to the changes that had taken place.

“Along with swelling the ranks of Hispanic officers from the 164 on March 31, 1978, to the 472 officers as of the end of this April, there has been encouragement for them to move upward, Leija says. It has worked. Where there were ten Hispanic detectives, eleven sergeants and five lieutenants ten years ago, there are now 54 sergeants, seven lieutenants and two captains.”

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July 30, 1901Officer Weiss, father of two, shot to DeathBy a Known Drunk having a Bad Police Day

Lest We ForgetBy NELSON ZOCH

In the summer of 1901, there resided in Houston two brothers from Powder Springs, Georgia. These two young men were cocky, confident and seemingly of means beyond appearance. They were J. T. Vaughn and his brother Newt. Their apartment/ business was at 1113½ Congress Avenue between Fannin and San Jacinto. It was common knowledge in the community that they were well supplied with money since they were in the money-lending business. J. T. also was a law student at the time. It was reported that their father and a brother practiced medicine in their home state of Georgia.

Policing in the downtown area of Houston in 1901 involved the dedicated Houston officers who were charged with keeping the peace and at the same time provided some protection for one other. Their jobs didn’t yet include the convenience of radios or vehicles. Any “report” came from the officers personally witnessing a crime or from citizens’ word of mouth.

At 7 p.m. Monday, July 29, 1901, J. T. Vaughn, later described as having a “propensity for strong drink and drinking sprees,” was arrested by Officer Herman Youngst for discharging a pistol through a window in his apartment. Officer Youngst booked him in jail but Vaughn was released about 11 p.m. that same night. Once he got this freedom J. T. Vaughn set out to find the arresting officer, claiming that his watch and $25 was missing from the effects he reclaimed upon leaving the jailhouse. He returned to the area around Yadon’s Saloon at the corner of Congress and San Jacinto. Yadon’s was a popular place among locals who had the means to buy themselves drinks.

J. T. found his brother Newt and told him about his missing cash and watch. At about the same time, their attorney, R. E. Kahn, with whom the two brothers had transacted considerable business, was walking toward Yadon’s for a nightcap. He had just left the nearby Red Men’s Hall, where he was a respected member.

The Vaughn brothers advised Kahn of the situation and he went in search of the arresting officer, Herman Youngst. While en route, they met Officer William F. Weiss, to whom Kahn explained the details of the missing money and watch. Officer Weiss, also a member of the Red Men’s Lodge, was apparently a welcome ear to

Kahn and J. T. Vaughn, his disgruntled client. Several citizens later identified as witnesses said it appeared to them that a conversation between Youngst, Weiss, Kahn and the Vaughn brothers went well. Officer Youngst said he had no idea what Vaughn was talking about and, further, that if J. T. Vaughn had any property missing, he needed to go back to the police station in the morning to claim it.

Apparently, Kahn was satisfied at this point but J. T. Vaughn was not ready to put this matter to rest for the night. Officer Bill Weiss, an acquaintance of Kahn’s from the Red Men’s organization, was standing nearby during the conversation involving Vaughn and Youngst. It is unknown whether J. T. Vaughn was intoxicated at this point, but it is safe to say he was definitely agitated over the matter. Information from an independent witness, Dick Miller, indicated the following chain of events leading up to the tragedy:

J. T. Vaughn pointed toward Officer Weiss and said, “Maybe he got it.” Whereupon Weiss responded, “I don’t know anything about it.” As the officer turned to walk away, Vaughn continued with the words, “Maybe you would, too.”

Weiss grew somewhat agitated. With authority, he stated to Vaughn, “Don’t you accuse me of

anything like that” and raised his club. Newt Vaughn stepped in between his brother and the officer, provoking Weiss to push him back.

“Don’t step between us when I am talking to your brother or I will let you have it too,” Weiss said. “If you are looking for trouble, I can whip you without my club.”

J. T. Vaughn then reached for his hip, pulling out a pistol from his pants. He shot Weiss four times, causing the officer to fall to the street, mortally wounded.

Officers J. C. James and Henry Lee were sitting in front of the station on Caroline when they heard the shots. They ran down to the corner of San Jacinto and Congress, where they found Officer Youngst standing near the body of Officer Weiss, who was already dead at the scene. Youngst told them that “they” did it and that “they” were inside the saloon.

All three officers charged inside Yadon’s, where they were told that Vaughn “did it” and that he had run out the back door. Officers Lee and James then pursued the suspect, who ran north on San Jacinto and west on Franklin before making the block by running back south on Fannin and east on Congress.

A gun battle between the two officers and Vaughn ensued around the block. Officer Rabouln and Special Officer Quinby followed, ready to help their fellow officers.

Another witness, M. A. Grant, saw the latter part of this event. Grant and his family occupied rooms upstairs in the building adjoining the Vaughn brothers’ rooms. Grant was a witness to the shooting earlier in the evening that led to Officer Youngst’s arrest of J. T. Vaughn. Grant heard the gunfire that killed Weiss and started downstairs to investigate when J. T. Vaughn met him on the stairway. Vaughn proceeded to push him aside, causing Grant to go back upstairs to protect his wife. Vaughn followed, running into their sitting room.

Grant had personal experience with Vaughn and was well aware of his propensity for strong drink. Thinking he was under the influence of liquor, he pushed Vaughn out into the hallway. In doing so, Vaughn was silhouetted, gun in

Officer William F. Weiss

Continues on Page 41

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FALLEN HEROES OF THE BAYOU CITYHOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

1860-2006

This 265 page publication was written by Retired Homicide Lieutenant Nelson Zoch It details the lives and deaths of the 106 Houston Police Officers who were KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY from the years 1860-2006.

FALLEN HEROES has been available since 2007. It was self-published and financed by the Nelson Zoch family. This type of publication is not financially feasible to reproduce. Therefore, when supplies of this book are exhausted, THERE WILL BE NO MORE BOOKS PRINTED.

This book has been described by readers as a vital piece of HPD history. This 8 and one-half inch by 11 inch hardback book is printed on glossy paper stock and contains over 150 photos of Officers and their families. It would make an appropriate Christmas gift for family members of both current and retired Officers. The price is $39.95 plus $3.30 sales tax. It can be mailed for an extra $7.25 for a total of $50.50.

For more details, contact the author at 281-543-6256or visit the website, callofdutypublications.com

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ArdJoe L.Ard passed away Dec. 30. He is the father of Systems Consultant PaulArd, assigned to Technology Services. Services were held Jan. 5 in Crockett.

BurlesonMargaret Burleson (70) passed away Jan. 15. She is the mother of Police Officer Elgin D. Burleson, who is assigned to the Jail Division. Services were held Jan. 19 in Texas City.

CarrMrs.Hanoria Carr (88) passed away Jan. 17. She is the mother of Senior Police Officer Kevin P. Carr of the Homicide Division. Services were held Jan. 22 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

CesarekMrs. SallyCesarek passed away Dec. 29. She is the mother of Sr. Police Officer SteveCesarek, assigned to the Juvenile Division. Services were held Jan. 7 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DelukeJosephineDeluke passed away Jan. 18. She is the mother of Lt. Joseph P.Deluke of the Airport Division and mother-in-law of Sgt. Tammy G.Deluke of the Jail Division. Services were held Jan. 26 in Spring.

DemarisSenior Police Officer Anthony M. Demaris, assigned to the Central Division, passed away Jan. 14. He joined Police Academy Class No. 116 on Oct. 3, 1983. Anthony is survived by his son, Deitrich Demaris (19). Services were held Jan. 19 with burial in Brookside Cemetery. ookside Cemetery, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas.

FarleyRetired Senior Communications Technician Chester H. Farley, passed away Jan. 14. Chester started with the Department April 2, 1990 and retired Sept. 1, 2011 when last assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Division. Services were held Feb. 2.

GonzalezMr.Austreberto Gonzalez (62) passed away Dec. 30. He is the father of Senior Police Officer Pedro Gonzalez, assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division, Officer Eugenio Gonzalez, assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division and Officer Alejandro Gonzalez, assigned to the Investigative First Responder Division. Services were held Jan. 2 with burial in Hollywood Cemetery.

GutierrezRetired Senior Police Officer David J. Gutierrez passed away Jan. 18. He joined Police Academy Class No. 115 on Aug. 22, 1983. He retired while last assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Division on June 27, 2009. Services were held Jan. 2 with burial in Spring.

HeathMr. Charlie Heath passed away Dec. 31. He is the grandfather of Jail AttendantErminta O.Tudmon. Services were held Jan. 5 with burial in Houston memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland.

KepnerChollaKepner (80) passed away Jan. 19. She is the mother of Retired Identification Supervisor Wade Runnels. Services were held Jan. 22 at The Woodlands.

KerstenRetired Homicide Lt. Henry W.Kersten passed away Jan. 6. He joined Police Academy Class No. 15 on Oct. 1, 1956. He was last assigned to the Homicide Division and retired on March 4, 1988. LieutenantKersten is survived by his wife,SaraleKersten, and son, Lance Kersten.

LevulisMary H.Levulis (90) passed away Jan. 17. She is the mother of retired Police Officer Timothy Levulis, who was last assigned to K-9’s. Services were held Jan. 21 in Hamburg, New York.

LopezMrs. Noemi Lopez passed away on Friday, January 18, 2013. She is the step mother of Senior Police Officer Adrian Lopez, assigned to the Eastside Division. Services were held Jan. 22 with burial in San Jacinto Memorial Park Cemetery.

NealMr. Charles F. Neal passed away Dec. 26. He is the father of Senior Police Officer Dennis R. Neal, assigned to the Southeast Division. Services were held Jan. 5 with burial in Houston memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland.

OlivaresMartin G. Olivares passed away Dec. 31. He is the Grandfather of Police Officer Andrea O. Riley, assigned to Special Operations, Officer Alfonso Olivares of the Vice Division, Officer Victor Olivares, assigned to Emergency Communications, Senior Police Officer Rodolfo A. Castaneda, assigned to Central, and father-in-law of Officer Timothy J. Riley III, assigned to Emergency Communications. Services were held Jan. 3 in Pasadena.

RankinRetired Sgt. Walter H. Rankin, 90, passed away Jan. 5. He joined the department on Nov. 19, 1945, was promoted to sergeant on Nov. 1, 1953, and retired on Jan. 31, 1964. Sgt. Rankin later became the constable of Harris County Precinct 1. He is survived by his wife Mildred. Services were held Jan. 9 with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.

SheldonMr. Charles M. Sheldon passed away Jan. 17. He is the father of retired Deputy Administrator Wesley “Chuck” Sheldon, who was last assigned to the Identification Division. Services were held Jan. 26.

Smith, A. P.Retired Detective A. P. Smith (84) passed away Jan. 21. Smith joined the Department Sept. 12, 1949 as a member of Academy Class No. 3.Smith was last assigned to the Burglary and Theft Division where he retired after serving over 27 years. Services were held Jan. 25 in East Story, Arkansas.

Smith, E.Earline Smith (80) passed away Jan. 16. She is the mother of Senior Police Officer Robert Smith of the Northeast Division. Services were held Jan. 18.

Watson Mrs. Joyce Jean Watson passed away Dec. 27. She is the mother-in-law of Sgt. Alwood C. Francois, assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division and retired Senior Police Officer Michael K. Polk, who was last assigned to the Southeast Division. Services were held Jan. 5.

Obituaries

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Continues from Page 37

hand. Officers Lee and James began firing at Vaughn, wounding him and causing him to stagger down the stairs. He fell down, not fifty feet from where the slain Officer Weiss lay. Newt Vaughn was allowed to go to his brother and, along with the other officers, heard his brother’s last words: “I died game.”

Then he breathed his last breath, leaving his .41-caliber pistol in the stairway.

After Sergeant Busey arrived, Yadon’s Saloon was shut down for the night. Justice of the Peace Malsch arrived and held an inquest into the deaths of Officer Weiss and his deceased assailant, J. T. Vaughn. On orders from Justice Malsch, an autopsy was performed on the body of Weiss, who had been taken to the Westheimer undertaking establishment. There the judge continued his inquest as the autopsy was performed.

Two .41-caliber slugs were found in Officer Weiss, one that had passed through his heart and another very near it. Both were determined to be sufficient to cause his death. The judge also ruled that the wounds were inflicted from very close range – Weiss’ clothing contained powder burns.

J.T. Vaughn was removed to the undertaking establishment of Ross and Wright. While no autopsy was ordered on him, Justice Malsch determined his cause of death was from one bullet wound to his abdomen. His brother Newt was taken into custody for questioning and investigators released him after concluding he had no part in the death of Officer Weiss. Newt was allowed to send messages to his brother and parents in Dallas and Powder Springs, Georgia.

William A. “Willie” Weiss was born in Houston on March 7, 1870. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Weiss. Besides his mother and father, he left a wife and two small children. Funeral services for the beloved officer were held at his residence at 215 LaBranch at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 1901. The services were under the auspices of the Little Elk Tribe No. 94, Improved Order of the Red Men and the Maccabees, both organizations who were proud to have Willie Weiss as a member.

In addition to the members of these fraternities, the entire night police force attend-ed as active and honorary pallbearers. The night police force met at police headquarters at 3 p.m. and marched to the residence. Active pallbearers were Deputy Chief Henry Thompson, Sergeants J. C. Busey and Charles Williford and Chief Clerk William Kessler. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Officers Lee, James, Bernner, Lahey, Gossett, Patrick, Whittington, Youngst, Newhoff, Higgins, Proctor, Howard, Charlton, Cahill, and Night Clerk Krum. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery on Washington Avenue.

A newspaper account about the effects Officer Weiss’ death had on the community included this passage:

“Officer Weiss, very popular as an officer and as a citizen. The lawyer at the bar, the clerk behind the counter, the blacksmith as he shod a refractory colt chewing an unaccustomed bit, the street car motorman as he turned on and off the mysterious currents that propel the cars. All who knew the dead officer joined in some kind of tribute to him. At the police station the customary show of solemn bleak was made, and the crepe by the door was but the trappings and suits of woe which was felt by

every member of the department with whom this reporter talked.”

Officer Weiss was the fifth known HPD officer to give his life in the line of duty, the first in ten years and the first in the 20th century. What followed just four short months later continued a sad trend for the entire century. Weiss’s gravesite was located at Glenwood Cemetery. From the handsome marker placed on his family plot, it appears his survivors were people of means.

His marker reads: William A. Weiss,

March 7, 1870-July 30, 1901.

“There was an angel choir in heaven that was not quite complete, so God took our darling Willie to fill the vacant seat.”

With the wonderful cooperation of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ambrus and Ms. Martha Peterson at Glenwood Cemetery, an additional marker was placed at the foot of Officer Weiss’s grave in 2004. This marker is the LINE OF DUTY foot marker provided by the 100 Club of Houston and Harris County. Mr. and Mrs. Ambrus and Glenwood Cemetery donated the installation costs.

There is one other HPD Officer killed in the Line of Duty interred at Glenwood. That is Officer Rufus Daniels, one of five Houston police officers killed in 1917 during the Camp Logan riot. His gravesite has never had a marker and in 2006, his grave was marked with the 100 Club LINE OF DUTY marker, also made possible by Glenwood Cemetery management.

Continues from Page 38

As Caldwell left office, an editorial in The Houston Post praised him for meeting charges of wrongdoing in the department head-on as “one of the city’s most articulate, community-conscious police chiefs.” Small wonder he was tired after all of his hard work, The Post said.

“He has held one of the toughest, most thankless jobs in city government, adminis-tering a police force that is too small for this fast-growing community, meeting criticism from without and dissension from within. He hasn’t been everybody’s favorite police chief. But Caldwell has done a solid, professional job under trying circumstances. He deserves the community’s gratitude.”

Mayor McConn quickly made it clear that Caldwell’s successor would come from within the department, most probably from the assistant and deputy chiefs. The assistant chiefs were B. K. Johnson, Tommy Mitchell and R.

G. McKeehan. The deputy chiefs were L.L. Wunsche, B.M. Finch, Fred B. Bankston, Floyd W. Daigle, L.D. Sherman, John P. Bales, Dennis Storemski and A. M. Gibson.

McConn soon chose the individual everyone in the know figured he would. The choice represented “a 180.” He picked a police chief every bit as laid back as Harry Caldwell was overbearing – Bradley K. Johnson.

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If anyone knows of friends or family members who might have photographs that we are missing, please call The Badge & Gun at 713-223-4286.

Let us Never Forget...

February - Houston Police Officers Slain in the Line of Duty

Johnnie Davidson 02-19-1921

Herbert N. Planer 02-18-1965

Gonsalo O. Gonzales 02-28-1960

Charles R. Coates 02-23-1983

Fred Maddox, Jr. 02-24-1954

Andrew Winzer 02-18-1988

In Memory of…

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By LISA GARMEZYWe’ve had parents break down in tears when told, “Yes, your child has ADHD.”

Understandably: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a chronic condition. Although many children and adults manage it without medication, it is a variation in brain functioning and will not be outgrown. For the parent who suspects or recently learned that his child has the disorder, this column tries to answer, “Now what?”

Ready, Fire, Aim

If you’ve read this far, you probably know that ADHD symptoms fall into three groups: inattentiveness, hyperactive behavior and impulsive behavior. For a complete list of symptoms, google “CDC ADHD Interactive Checklist.”

Years ago, I was one of the mothers tiptoeing into a darkened classroom for a preschool party. We stood quietly to one side, waiting for the teacher to finish reading a story. But when one mom arrived, her son leapt up and lit up the room, calling, “Mommy, I have to show you something!” That’s classic ADHD stuff, the kind of behavior that can be described as “Ready, Fire, Aim.”

Or is it immaturity or disobedience? According to the American Academy of Pediatricians, ADHD is diagnosed only when it occurs in more than one setting, and only when it is “seriously disabling.”

The boy who jumped out of his seat became the child no one wanted on their soccer team. He was disruptive and frustrated, and after a while he got to be aggressive. That’s disabling—the condition interfered with the development of normal peer relationships.

On the other hand, children who have “Inattentive Type” ADHD show no signs of hyperactivity or impulsivity. The diagnosis may get missed in the dreamy or scatterbrained child who underperforms. More boys than girls get the ADHD label, but with the inattentive type included, more girls than boys probably qualify for it.

A Thorough Evaluation

If you suspect your child has ADHD, talk to us. We’ll meet with you alone first. Next, we’ll request school records and send home parent and teacher questionnaires. We can administer the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test, a computerized task that provides information on attention difficulties. Of course, we also want to get to know your child.

The data collection may include IQ testing, achievement testing, or other psychological testing. Only when all the data comes together will we tell you that ADHD does or doesn’t seem to be present. There is no charge for this or any other service we provide.

Testing may not end there. Careful study shows that about half of kids with ADHD have co-occurring disorders, such as other learning differences, emotional problems and physical conditions such as tics or sleep apnea.

About Medication

If a thorough work-up shows ADHD, your pediatrician will probably recommend a trial on medication. No one wants to put a child on medication. But the pediatric community, as reported in ADHD: What

Every Parent Needs to Know (2011, 2nd ed.), considers these drugs, taken as prescribed, to be “effective and safe.”

The medications seem to stimulate “the brain to keep slightly more of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) available that help all of us focus our attention, control our impulses, organize and plan, and stick to routines.”

Medication is like a pair of glasses, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, publishers of the parent guide. The medicine helps you focus. Letting it wear off is like taking off your glasses.

Your pediatrician will usually start with a small dose and increase it gradually to get maximum results with the fewest side effects. Short-acting medications last around four hours, others last six to eight hours, and some long-acting forms work 10 to 12 hours.

Tell your pediatrician when your child needs his “glasses.” A high school student, for example, might use a four-hour dose for days with a shorter class schedule, but need a longer-acting dose on heavy homework days or when he is (gulp) driving. Some physicians prefer consistent dosing schedules, in part, because medication helps children manage the morning rush to school, afterschool activities, church, and so on.

Most side effects are temporary, but loss of appetite can be a lasting problem. Parents find themselves fixing large protein-rich breakfasts before the eight-hour school-day dose kicks in, and serving large dinners when it wears off.

Unfortunately, taking stimulant meds may impact children’s growth, although this is still under investigation. Research suggests that growth is slowed a little during the first two years of stimulant use, after which time it returns to normal. However, the child may not “catch up” entirely. Please discuss this and any other concerns with your physician.

We know this is scary. Still, we ask parents to think about the consequences of NOT treating ADHD. Children can be scarred by school failure and peer rejection. After that, well, police officers know what comes next.

Supporting Your Child

In addition to medication, the ADHD child needs parents in his or her corner. You’re going to be instilling faithfulness to routines and organization systems. The usual disciplinary mishmash of parental suggestions, reprimands and occasional bursts of anger has to be boiled down to consistent rules with clear consequences.

With your support, your child will find his own unique strengths and take pride in overcoming challenges. As evidence, look at the many pro-ductive recruits and officers in our department who live with ADHD—whether or not they realize it.

Pick up the AAP guide from amazon.com for just $10. For support groups and more parent resources, go to www.chadd.org and www.adda-sr.org.

Psych ServicesHere’s a Basic Guide on How to Handle ADHD

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08 CVO Road King $21,000 obo. This bike is gorgeous, must see In person to appreciate. It has 33K well taken care of miles. Contact Josh 281-704-0176

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2 Bedroom 2 Bath Condo Tapatio Springs in Boerne, Texas Completely furnished.Call Retired Sgt H.A. Stevens 877-522-4455

Time Share with Silverleaf Resorts for sale,Red Week #22 in June, boat access to Lake Conroe.Pay the $300.00 transfer fee and it's yours.A. Hardesty, Retired.(713) 410-1476,or [email protected]

One Acre Lot in Elgin, TX Off Hwy.95, Near 290. The lot is in an exclusive and restricted gated community (The Arbor of Dogwood Creek). The subdivision has paved road, tennis court, jogging trail, pavillion and more. This wooded lot is located in a cul-de-sac. Asking $26,000. Contact M.L. Sistrunk 281-788-0256

Great Home in Rockport, TX Built in 2005, this Comfortable 3/2 bath single story stucco home is located in a gated community on 12.33 acres. Amenities include: tile roof, heated pool and hot tub, attached oversized 3 car garage (30x35), and a large detached metal workshop (36x36) with large garage doors and a 15 ton hoist, covered patio areas both in front and back, a circle drive, and plenty of room for parking. There are two stocked fishing ponds, and horses are allowed. Priced to sell. For info contact Rebecca Lee @ 361-729-4404, Coldwell Banker MLS ID#113208.

Two Five Acre Lots in Rosharon, Texas, sun creek ranch 1 section. agg exemption available, large oak trees, cleared for building. $89,900 each tract. Raul Yzquierdo 713-213-7651

Time Share Silverleaf Resorts, reduced. Red Week #22 (June), located in DeSota, Mo., Price $500.00 plus transfer fee. Contact A. Hardesty (Retired)713-410-1476 or [email protected].

What an amazing deal! Charming three bed-room two bath patio home located in a great gated community at 3123 Lavender Candle Dr. Spring, TX. Property includes a two car attached garage, master suite, cozy fire place and much more for only $1,300.00 month. Price is negotiable. Please contact Officer Edith Maldonado at 832-434-4266 or [email protected].

Summer Rental Galveston Beach House. 3br 2 bath. Sleeps 8-10. Great Gulf view just steps from the beach. Newly renovated/updated. H.L. Richter HPD (ret) 936-329-1456

1 Bedroom Unit For Rent Village Wood Town homes 1529 Wirt Rd/Spring Branch. Utilities paid. Basic cable. Excellent Location. Joe Scott 713-935-9137

For Rent by owner Lake front Fully furnished townhouse Lake Livingston 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths included pontoon boat and two Jet Skies Call 832-876-5511 or 713-459-8111

House for Rent: Bear Creek Area. 3 Bedroom/Game room. Cy-Fair School District. Swimming Pool. $1095.00/month. Call 832-282-5216.

Miscellaneous Crypt For Sale Forest Park Westheimer Excellent location “Inside” Ready to sell 281-686-9490 Remington 700 .243 Win caliber. BDL Custom Deluxe model Bolt Action rif le with 22” barrel, gloss finish, 5-shot capacity, and walnut stock.Mint in box. Paid $925 in 1996. Asking $675.Call James 713-503-5107

Brookside Cemetery 59 North. Prestigious and beautiful area, very-well kept. Two individual Plots in the Garden of Hope. $2750 ea. reg. $4375 ea. Contact Elisa 832-6931271.

Garden Park Cemetery, Conroe, Texas. Lawn Crypt section 4 , lot 30, spaces 7&8. Very well kept Cemetery, 4,000 ea. Call Doug Bell 817-573-1675 Brookside Memorial Park Spaces 2, 3, 4, 5Section 234 (Masonic Section) $2250 per [email protected]

Two cemetery lots. Grand view Memorial Park8500 Spencer highway in Pasadena. The Cemetery sells the lots for $4495 each. We are asking $8000 for both. Call Charlie Everts 409 9359199

Handcrafted leather cross key chains tooled and personalized, $1.50 each (including shipping). Limit 5 letters, chain included. Other products available. For more info or to order call Justin, 14 year old son of an HPD Officer, at 936-499-4385

Westwood Campng Club Membership, Trinity, Texas, $3,500.00 / OBO Retired Officer A.L. Albritton 936-890-4374 or 830-221-5152

FREE MONEY: $2,000 COMMISSION REBATE to HPOU members when theybuy or sell a house. James Cline, Realtor,281-548-3131 or www.2cashback.org

Magnetic Signs white 24”x6” with“POLICE” in bold 21”x5” black letters. Pair $25. Call 936-327-3205 HPD Parents company

ServicesDe’Vine Events Planning a wedding is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. For all your wedding needs, Contact Diana, Certified Wedding Consultant at (713) 598-4931.

For All Your Gun and Ammo NeedsBlack Gold Guns & Ammo. Buy, Sell & Trade713-694-4887

Aurelia E Weems, CPA formerly Dumar Consulting returns to HPOU for its 9th Year to provide discounted tax services for officers and their families. Please watch for us on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am-2:00pm at the Union building at 1602 State Street. We are available to meet at any HPD location for the ease of the officers as well as accept information via email or fax.If you have any questions please contact Aurelia E Weems, CPA at (936) 273-1188 or (281) 363-4555 or visit us on the web at www.aewcpa.com

TAX PREPARATION From Home Office. Low Fees - $65 up. L. Dexter Price, CPA. [email protected] 713.826.4777

Are you tired of making the same New Year's Resolution? Are you ready to take control of your life? We have solutions, take control of your health, time & finances! For more info. Please call: Stacy @ 832-651-5739

Residential and Commercial RemodelingKitchens and counter tops, ceramic and wood floors, interior and exterior painting, handy-man services, with discount prices for the Law Enforcement family. Larry Baimbridge, Sr. 281-655-4880

Gold Rush Tax Service 281-399-3188Same Day Refund Special Police Officer RatesBrenda Webb (retired officer’s wife)[email protected]

Miriam Aurioles – Se Habla Espanol Tax Preparation From Home Office 40% - 50% Lower Fees. Contact for estimate L. Dexter Price, CPA [email protected] 832.243.1477

Main Street Builders Residential and Commercial Construction Licensed and Insured. David Webber (owner) Rt HPD 832-618-2009

Gone Fishing wantafishtx.com Jim Hobson-retired 936-615-2777 or [email protected]

Vickey Grieger, Realtor Cell: (979) 249-6675 Fax: (775) 373-5048 [email protected]

TSR Country Properties 115 West Fayette Street, Fayetteville, TX 78940 Office (979) 378-2222 Fax (979) 378-2240Hunting Weekend Expedition Affordable prices, private property. Whitetails, exotics & pigs. Call for details Officer Mike Gonzalez 713-702-5838 or email [email protected]

Houston’s Wedding People Wedding Services, Wedding cakes, Decorations, Chair covers, Favors Call today for free taste testing and consultation 281-881-5027 www.houstonsweddingpeople.com

Mini Storage Police officer discount.290 area. Call Dave for details 713-460-4611 MOMs Helping MOMs Work from Home! Computer Required. www.myhomebiz4u.com Why rent when you can own while keeping your monthly payments about the same. For more info call 281-914-7351

Paula A. Weatherly Independent Avon Representative To buy or sell AVON, contact me! Lots of great products at unbelievable prices! Start your AVON career for only $10! [email protected] or www.youravon.com/pweatherly 281-852-8605 Smile! Jesus Loves Us!

Heroes wear Badges Let your loved ones show off their pride of you being one of Houston’s finest. I will personalize items with machine-embroidered replicas of your badge including your badge number (Sgt, Lt, Capt replica badges also available) Items that are available are t-shirts, Koozies, purses/bags and other items. For pictures and prices just e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 713-941-0902 or 832-217-0893 Sibyl Scott (retired officer’s wife) www.freewebs.com/sibylscott

Discount on Moonwalk RentalsRent a moonwalk for your special occasion.We deliver and pick up so you don’t have to! Please call Officer Chris DeAlejandro at 713-922-8166 or Carla DeAlejandro at 713-384-5361. Please let us know that you’re Law Enforcement Personal.

All natural skin care products for the whole family. Handmade soaps, lotions and body scrubs will nourish you skin. Great for gifts and everyday use. Ask about our Mother’s Day special. Call Lisa and Jim at 936-648-6145 or www.goodcleanlivin.com.

Home Inspections by TexaSpec Inspections.Free foundation evaluations and alarm systems for HPD. State Licensed ICC Certified Inspector.281-370-6803.

Have a special day coming up? Let us make it even more special with Eten Candy custom chocolate candies. From birthdays, weddings, and every holiday. We even do bachelor and bachelorette parties. Why not have party favors that everyone will remember and talk about. Just e-mail Jessica at [email protected] for more info. Candies are made to suit your needs

Smileystaxidermy.com Call 210-364-8413; 2005 Kendall Co. 1st place Whitetail Pedestal & Blue-winged Teal; 2005 Tx. Taxidermy Assoc. 2nd place Professional Div.-Whitetail Wall Pedestal & Shoulder Mount; (ret. Lt.) Wizinsky’s son-in-law.

Need help in forgiving or forgetting.Call Linda McKenzie for more info on Christ centered counseling services 282-261-2952or 832-250-6016 where everyone is given the opportunity for a fresh start

Your Travel, Tax, Health, & Nutritional needs. We can get you where you want to go, and keep you healthy doing it. Contact Greg & Cathy Lewis 832-969-0502 or 832 969 0503

“Photos to Albums”. Your memories creatively designed in an album. Any occasion, celebration, family trips. Call Theresa Arlen at 832-229-6292.

Piano Lessons: 30 minutes for $15.00.Student Recitals. Call Daniel Jones at281-487-9328 or cell: 713-557-4362

Calling All Mothers of Houston Police Officers. As a proud mother of a Houston Police Officer, I am interested in starting a support group of Mothers of Houston Police Officers (MOHPO). I need your support. Please call me for more info: Frances Runnels at 713-436-0794 after 6 p.m. weekdays.

Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers A place for Christians to come together and encourage one another. For information about other activities visit www.fcpohouston.org.

WantedRetired Officer Looking for a 12ga Shotgun for home protection. Cosmetic appearance not impor-tant. Soundness, operational condition and reliability a must. Pump or double barrel. Must be reasonably priced. Contact Tommy Hoffpauir 281-639-1561

Wanted Beretta 9MM FS “Police Special” (Black or Stainless) Please call Zach (832) 457-0647.

Wanted Top CA$H Paid for your used or unwanted guns. Blackgold Guns & Ammo 713 694 4867 Police Officer Owned

Colt .45 HPD Commemorative PistolCall Paul 713-240-4672

2 Horse Trailer or 14 - 16 ft. Stock Trailer. Bumper Pull. R. Webb 281-399-1212 Cell 713-822-1867

Looking for a home or bare land? Contact retired officer, DALLAS BINGLEY at Kerrville Realty - in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country: (O) 830-896-2200 or (M) 830-739-1766 [email protected]

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Page 48: Houston Police Officers’ Union - Mayor Annise Parker swears in … · 2018. 5. 21. · Houston Police Officers’ Union 1600 State Street Houston, Texas 77007 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S.

Page 48 Badge & Gun • February 2013

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