northern california cops chapter · northern california cops chapter 141 raymundo drive, ......

NNNNNooooorrrrrthern Cthern Cthern Cthern Cthern Califalifalifalifalifooooornia Crnia Crnia Crnia Crnia Coooooppppps Chaps Chaps Chaps Chaps Chapterterterterter141 Raymundo Drive, Woodside, CA 94062

NUMBER 4 FALL 2009Vol. 3

1st Annual NorCal C.O.P.S. WalkOfc. John P. MillerMemorial FreewayDedication Event

1st Annual Northern California C.O.P.S. Walk

The First Annual NorCal C.O.P.S.Walk was held on October 10 in SanRamon. Although turnout was notas large as anticipated, all had agood walk and talk. We had two babies and severaldogs walking and raising funds forthis event. The BBQ in the park was a beau-tiful ending to the day and all partici-

pants had a great time. Vice President Stephanie Millersays, “Our first walk had over 20participants and next year it will bebigger and better.” We also want to thank our NorCalC.O.P.S. Walk sponsors; Safeway,Coca-Cola and American Medicalresponse.

More photos Page 6 & 7

On November 16, 2007, The Cali-fornia Highway Patrol (C.H.P.) lostone of its finest when Officer JohnP. Miller, I.D. 18414, died in the Lineof Duty as the result of a traffic col-lision. Subsequent to this tragic event,Assembly Concurrent ResolutionNo. 78 has officially designated aportion of Interstate 580 in theLivermore Valley as the “C.H.P. Of-ficer John P. Miller Memorial Free-way.” On November 16, 2009, the Sec-ond Anniversary of Officer Miller’stragic death, the Dublin Area willhost a Memorial Freeway Dedica-tion in honor of John and his family.At 9:30 am, a private unveiling of theWestbound Interstate 580 MemorialFreeway sign will be held for theMiller Family, VIPS and other invitedguests. The Memorial Dedication Cer-emony will be held at the RobertLivermore Community Center, lo-cated at 4444 East Avenue,Livermore, CA. at 11:00 am. Parking is limited and carpoolingis advised. For planning purposes, pleaseconfirm your attendance byemailing Dublin Area Officer EricGatty at [email protected]. For further information, pleasecontact the Dublin Area CHP Officeat (925) 828-0466.

GENERAL MEETINGNOVEMBER 7

CHP DUBLIN4999 GLEASON DRIVE

DUBLIN, CA 94568925-828-0466

NorCal C.O.P.S.Christmas Party There is an insert in this newslet-ter for you to sign-up for the NorCalC.O.P.S. Annual Christmas Party. It is free to all survivors and co-workers, so please sign-up for aholiday get together.

PresidentSandy Fontana

[email protected]

Vice PresidentStephanie Miller

[email protected]

TreasurerVicky Olivera

[email protected]

SecretaryTami McMillan

[email protected]

Immediate Past PresidentTammy Monego

[email protected]

Law Enforcement LiasonTrustee

Captain Mitch [email protected]

925-828-0466

Peer Support TrusteeCarol Espinoza

[email protected]

NewsletterBarry Lependorf

[email protected]

WebmasterCraig Conley

[email protected]

Message from the President Chapter Contacts

Sandy FontanaPresident, NorCal COPS

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As the leaves change colors, the temperature begins todrop and the days get shorter we know we are headingtoward Autumn and the beginning of the “HolidaySeason”. This can be a very difficult time for our newfamilies. This will be the first Thanksgiving, Christmas,Hanukkah, and New Year without their beloved Officer.

To the Dunakin Family, the Hege Family, the RomansFamily and the Sakai Family: We are here for you, wehave all been through the “FIRST” whatever and wehave made it and can help you get through thesepainful times.

NorCal C.O.P.S. has some great resources you can counton, we have Carol Espinoza who leads our Peer SupportGroup and we also have Dr. Kay Talbot, who is also agreat resource. If you would like to contact either ofthese ladies or any of our Board members please rememberwe are here to support you and your entire family.

Our Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for Saturday,December 5 at the CHP Academy in Sacramento and thisis an opportunity for all family members to cometogether and support each other. It is also a great timefor the children to come and enjoy each other and the activities we provide and just be kids. This will lead us into the New Year, 2010!

C.O.P.S.MISSION

STATEMENT Concerns of Police Survivorsprovides resources to assist in therebuilding of the lives of survivingfamilies and affected co-workersof law enforcement officers killedin the Line of Duty as determinedby Federal criteria. Futhermore, C.O.P.S. providestraining to law enforcement agen-cies on survivor victimization is-sues and educates the public ofthe need to support the law en-forcement profession and its sur-vivors.

November 7, 2009GENERAL MEETING - CHP DUBLIN

Peer Support Group Meeting

November 13 - 15, 2009 NATIONAL C.O.P. S. BOARD MEETING

(EMERYVILLE, CA NORCAL C.O.P.S. HOSTS)

November 16, 2009CHP OFC. JOHN P. MILLER FREEWAY DEDICATION

Livermore

December 5, 2009Northern California C.O.P.S. Christmas Party

CHP Academy, W. Sacramento

February 8, 2010GENERAL MEETING - SAN FRANCISCO POA


February 20, 2010 (tentative) CRAB FEED – ALAMEDA FAIR GROUNDS

April 24, 2010GENERAL MEETING


MAY 6 & 7, 2010 SACRAMENTO MEMORIAL

MAY 8, 2010CPOMF RUN / WALK – PLEASANTON

MAY 12 – 16, 2010 NATIONAL POLICE WEEK, WASHINGTON D.C.

JUNE, 2010NORCAL C.O.P.S. SUMMER PICNIC

Chapter Meetings & Events

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NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERCONTRIBUTIONSCONTRIBUTIONSCONTRIBUTIONSCONTRIBUTIONSCONTRIBUTIONSWELCOMED AND

NEEDED!We encourage you to send in a let-ter, picture, article, poem, announce-ments, etc. Let us know what is hap-pening with your family and coworkersurvivors: births, deaths,graduastions, weddings, promotions,honors and memorial services. If youare not a writer, simply submit thefacts and we will take it from there. Send to:

Stephanie [email protected]

FOR INFORMATION ON ANY MEETING OR EVENT,CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER

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NorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family News

PEER SUPPORTGROUP MEETINGS

You are invited to join ourpeer support group forC.O.P.S. members. Meetings are facilitated byNorCal C.O.P.S. trustee CarolEspinoza, mother of OfficerIsaac Espinoza, San Fran-cisco Police Department. The group is open to allC.O.P.S. survivors. If you haveany questions, please contact:

Carol [email protected]

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Deputy Jeffrey Vaughn MitchellSacramento County Sheriff

EOW: October 27, 2006

A grand opening celebration for abaseball field honoring a Sacra-mento County sheriff's deputy killedin the line of duty. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for theDeputy Jeff Mitchell Field and Pub-lic Service Memorial was held on thefield at 831 Redwood Lane, nearBertelsen Park and Brooks Elemen-tary School. It feature a color guardrepresenting area fire and law en-forcement agencies. Mitchell, an El Dorado Hills resi-dent, was shot and killed on patrolOct. 27, 2006, in the Wilton area. Mitchell's widow, Crystal Mitchell,and Mark Iwasa, SacramentoCounty Undersheriff, were amongthe speakers during Saturday's cer-emony.

Deputy Jeff Mitchell Fieldribbon-cutting ceremony

The community, led by severalcorporate donors, raised more than$1 million to renovate a former adultsoftball field for Little League play.

My wife and I just received the lat-est NorCal C.O.P.S. newsletter andwe wanted to acknowledge your ef-forts in putting such a quality publi-cation together. Very professionaland well-rounded. Fifteen years ago,we (Kyle Haines, Lucy Grijalva, Toniand Jim MacDonald, my wife Dor-othy and, myself) formed the NorCalC.O.P.S. chapter and never envi-sioned how strong it could become.The newsletter shows how far thegroup has come.

Keep up the good work!

Tony MorganOakland P.D. (ret)Past V.P. NorCal C.O.P.S.

Feedback

FALL 2009

NorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family NewsNorCal Family News

William Herbert EngGrijalva (named for his lategrandfather, Bill Grijalva,Oakland PD, EOW 12/15/93)came into this world on March11, 2009. His parents, RichardGrijalva and Rathany Eng,are thrilled with little Herbie,as they are calling him. So,are his auntie, Meggy Grijalvaand grandma, Lucy Grijalva.

This morning we held a movingceremony at the National LawEnforcement Officers Memorial inWashington, DC, to commemoratethe service and sacrifice of the 72peace officers who were lost onSeptember 11th, 2001. We were very excited to have U.S.Attorney General Eric Holder inattendance to help us honor theselaw enforcement officers who losttheir lives that tragic day. I wanted to send you this link tosee video and photos of today’sceremony which includes a readingof the names of these fallen lawenforcement heroes.http://nleomf.blogspot.comCraig W. FloydChairman and Chief ExecutiveOfficerNational Law Enforcement OfficersMemorial Fund

William Herbert Eng Grijalva makes his debut

Grandma Lucy G and sweet baby Herbie

The Solano Business Groupsponsored a fund-raiser at Kinder’sMeats in Fairfield, on September 16,2009. The event was devoted to thememory of Officer Brad Moody fromthe Richmond Police Department.Many friends and family memberswere there in support of the event.The event was a great success! It was the first event of its kind forthe group, so it was purposely keptsmall. Next year they hope to havea much larger and even moresuccessful event. All funds raisedfrom the event were donated to NorCal C.O.P.S. The funds will be used to assistsome of our families with their travelexpenses getting to Washingtonand Sacramento, where their officerwill be honored for the ultimatesacrifice they have made to keepall of us safe. Some of the fundswill also be used to send ourfamilies to retreats. A heartfelt thanks to the SolanoBusiness Group and Mr. Jim Filippi,their Vice Chairman, for theirgenerous donation.

Vicky OliveraNorCal C.O.P.S. Treasurer

This a photograph of a com-memorative brick purchased by theMing Family on behalf of the Chap-ter. The brick is in place at the CityPark located at W. 10th St and ‘A’Street in downtown Antioch. Thepark was re-dedicated after a reno-vation that was finished in April 2008.Chris Ming is a Community ServicesOfficer and Reserve Police Officerwith the Antioch Police Departmentand a Chapter member for 17 years. His wife, Shannon, is a stay-at-home who is working hard homeschooling their adopted sons Jo-seph and Daniel. Daniel just turned6 and Joseph will be 6 in Decem-ber.

Solano BusinessGroup sponsorsFundraiser

National LawEnforcementOfficers Memorial

Dedication Brick

HopeKnows no fear.

Hope dares to blossomEven inside the abysmal abyss.

Hope secretly feedsAnd strengthens

Promise.

- Sri Chinmoy


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Concerns of Police Survivors openedcabin doors to 24 California survivors and1 California staff member from July 27-August 2, 2009, for its annual C.O.P.S.Kids Summer Camp at the SalvationArmy Lake Camp in East Troy,Wisconsin. The camp is held forsurviving children ages 6-14 and theirsole-surviving parent or guardian.Summer camp provides familyinteraction, camp activities, griefcounseling, relaxation, and lots of old-fashioned fun! Teambuilding in a campatmosphere teaches the family thatteamwork is essential for coping withgrief. The California camp survivorsincluded: Michelle, Tylor and BryceCanfield, Sacramento County SO/2008;

Sylvia, Samantha and Sierra Cuesta,Los Angeles PD/1998; Greg andSpencer Isaac, Fresno County SO/1997; Gloria and Kadie Lobo, SanBernardino County SO/2005; Diana andLauren May, East Palo Alto PD/2006;Crystal and Jake Mitchell, SacramentoCounty SO/2006; Melanie Nava-Pulleyand Patrick Nava, California Highway

California Survivors Prevalent at C.O.P.S. Summer EventsBy: Brooke McKay, C.O.P.S. Marketing Coordinator

Patrol/2000; Shawna, Jordan and JustinPiquette, Los Angeles County SO/2006;John Segura and David Romero,California Highway Patrol/2005;Michelle, Amanda and Jennifer Walker,California Highway Patrol/2005. SarahKoch-Schiller from San Francisco, CAattended camp as a mental healthprofessional; however, her father waskilled in the line of duty on 7/29/1984while he served the Fairfield PoliceDepartment. Sarah was 7 at the timeof his death and Sarah worked with the7-year-old surviving children. Concerns of Police Survivors’ OutwardBound® Experience was attended by 2California survivors July 26- August 1,2009, along the Green River throughCataract Canyon in CanyonlandsNational Park in Utah. Outward Bound®is held for surviving children ages 15-20. White-water rafting, mountainclimbing, rappelling and backpackinghelp participants develop outdoor skills,expand their comfort level, and copewith the line-of-duty loss of their parent.“Many of the teens in the OutwardBound® program have attended theC.O.P.S. Kid’s Summer Camp and havekept up the friendships they have madeby staying in touch via telephone, emailand face book. Some of the teens evenfly and visit one another during thesummer and school vacations,” saidJennifer Thacker, C.O.P.S. NationalPresident. “This support network isvitally important to them….just ask me.My daughter Katherine and I haveattended camp for the past 6 years!” Those attending Outward Bound® fromCalifornia included: Alexandria Nava,California Highway Patrol/2000 and PilarOrellana, Immigration and CustomsEnforcement/1998. A total of 38 California survivorsattended C.O.P.S. Hands-On Programsin 2008. C.O.P.S. expects that number

to be about the same this year onceCalifornia participants attending theSpouses, Siblings, Parents, and In-Lawsretreats are included. Last year,Concerns of Police Survivors spent atotal of $50,697 providing hands-onservices to California Survivors. Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.was founded in 1984 and since then theirmission has been to “rebuild shatteredlives” of the surviving family membersand affected co-workers of lawenforcement officers who have beenkilled in the line of duty. C.O.P.S. helpsthe officers’ survivors by providingemotional support and healing programsneeded to cope with a sudden and oftenviolent death. In addition to Kid’s Campand Outward Bound®, C.O.P.S. hostsadult children retreats, the weekend griefretreats for spouses, parents, siblings,and in-laws, and a two day griefconferences each May during NationalPolice Week in Washington, DC. Visit the C.O.P.S. website,www.nationalcops.org, for moreinformation on the organization and theprograms offered to America’s survivinglaw enforcement families.

Pilar Orellana poses in front of theGreen River at C.O.P.S. OutwardBound® at the Canyonlands NationalPark in Utah.

Shawna, Jordan and Justin Piquetteof Corona, CA, attended this year’sC.O.P.S. Kids Camp in Wisconsin.

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Special EventsSpecial EventsSpecial EventsSpecial EventsSpecial Events

National C.O.P.S. offers a varietyof hands-on programs to helpsurvivors. Each summer there is aC.O.P.S. kids camp and in the fallthere are the siblings retreat,spouses retreat and parentsretreat. This is the fourth year one of mynieces and my sister-in-lawattended the C.O.P.S. kids campand the third consecutive year myparents and my siblings and I haveattended our respective retreats. Itis the siblings retreat and the friendsI have made that have helped methe most since Rich was killed. Having the opportunity to talk toother people who know exactly howyou feel is incredibly comforting.Friendships have grown among thesiblings over the years and I remainin contact with many from aroundthe nation. In particular, my “sib”from New Jersey was the firstperson I met during police week.We have continued a closerelationship and I know I can call onher at any time. The retreat is comprised ofcounseling sessions gearedspecifically towards siblings andchallenging activities. I have beenencouraged each year to completethe ropes course and this pastSeptember I finally attempted andcompleted the challenge. When Iwas high up in the middle of thecourse I found myself swearing atRich. If he wasn’t killed, I wouldn’tbe here. I could hear him not onlylaughing at my awkwardness butencouraging me on. When I reachedthe end of the course and fell intothe arms of my siblings I had a

C.O.P.S. Hands-on programs gives opportunitiesand helps survivors with the healing process

Amy Merrill, Tami McMillian and Mike Merrill at the Rope Course

strange calm about me and feelingof accomplishment. I don’t think Iwould have ever done a ropescourse. My brother and sister, Amy andMike, have their own stories andfriends they have made. I look forward to this weekendretreat every year and dread when Ihave to leave. I cry as I hug my NewJersey sibling good bye at the airportand begin counting the days untilpolice week when I can see heragain.

I strongly recommend everysurvivor attend one of the retreats.While C.O.P.S. is not the only thingthat has helped my healing processover the past three and a half years,it is one of strongest. This pastretreat I found myself listening tonew survivors’ stories as others hadlistened to mine.

Tami McMillanSister of Officer Rich MayEOW 1/7/06East Palo Alto Police Department

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Sergeant Greg HernandezTulare County Sheriff

EOW:February 6, 2009

In The Line of Duty - 2009

Sergeant Mark DunakinOakland Police Department

EOW: March 21, 2009

Sergeant Daniel SakaiOakland Police Department

EOW: March 21, 2009

Sergeant Ervin RomansOakland Police Department

EOW: March 21, 2009

Police Officer John HegeOakland Police Department

EOW: March 23, 2009

Sergeant Curtis MasseyCulver City Police Department

EOW:January 28, 2009

Surviving family members areautomatically included in

Northern California C.O.P.S. Inclusion in C.O.P.S. is automatic for surviv-ing family members. There are no dues and wedo not solicit donations from the survivors weserve. Therefore, we’re dependent on the gen-erosity of friends to finance our activities.

Sergeant Steven MayModesto Police Department

EOW: July 23, 2009

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Trial UpdatesTrial UpdatesTrial UpdatesTrial UpdatesTrial Updates

We are entrenched in juryselection. This process began thelast week of August with 900prospective jurors. After hardshiprequests and individual questioningof jurors, we have 52 people in thejury pool and 48 more jurors toindividually question. Final juryselection is set for October 8th withopening statements on October13th. It is quite difficult to sit in thecourtroom everyday a few feet awayfrom the gang member who killedRich. As a family we are glad thatthe case is finally being tried, but weare still filled with anxiety and manyother emotions. Rich alwaysbelieved in the justice system and

Trial update for the killer of Officer Rich May

Ofc. Rich May, East Palo AltoPDwe believe when the trial is overjustice will be served. While this willnot bring Rich back to us, it will keepa cop killer off the street.

We Thank our Donorsfor their support!

American Medical ResponseCarlton A. Smirni

Christine/Richard ColeCoca-Cola

Craig WuennenbergD. Feldhaus & C. Dizon

Dan & Lori ToomeyDave Spisak

Deborah LindenDkarla Leach

E. Olivarria & E. NuxollEdmund & Carolyn Pecinovsky

Eric Lederer & Lori LunaGary & Collene CampbellGeorge & Dorothy NieslGlenn & Alice Van OsdolGreg & Vassie KyritsisHarold & Linda HoigIan & Janine Willis

James & Courtney FilippiJames & Sandra Pope

Joanna MooreJohn LopezKaren Lozito

Katherine HobsonKelley & Darrell Kelley

Kelly EsparzaLaura Lorman

Lori LeeMarci Hendersen

Michael & Judy MiceliMichael Davies

Patricia & Paul MastersonPaul & Cathyren Cappitelli

Peter BallewRichard & Kimberly MoganRodman & Diana Verrips

Safeway StoresSan Bernadion CHP PostShane/Cecelia Mascitelli

SJ POA Blue KnightsSJ Police Officer Assn

Tenderloin StationThomas & Marilyn Liddicoat

Wayne Windma390 Squad Club

Hi Everyone, I am planning on organizing a See's Candy Fund-raiser at the dif-ferent POA's in the area. I need volunteers to contact and sell at thevarious departments. I am planning on selling in the month of Dec.for now. Great gifts for co-workers, family and friends and you donot need to go to the mall. We will be selling one pound boxes and gift certificates and otheritems. I have Oakland covered. I will be in charge of ordering See'sCandy and I will make arrangements to bring it to you. I just needhelp selling it to the different POA's. All proceeds will go to NorCal C.O.P.S. Please call me or email ifyou have any questions or can help. [email protected] or 925-519-1840 cell. I hope you can help.

Thank you,Michelle Seuis(surviving wife of William Seuis, OPD)

See’s Candy Fundraiserto benefit NorCal C.O.P.S.

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPleasanton, Ca.Permit No. 396

DEPARTMENTS: Please Post

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Concerns of Police Survivors141 Raymundo Drive,

Woodside, CA 94062

Supports the California PeaceOfficers memorial Foundation

California LotteryScratcher

NorCal C.O.P.S. Chaptercovers all of the

Law Enforcement Agenciesin Northern California

In the event of an In Line of DutyOfficer death, Northern CaliforniaC.O.P.S. Chapter will be there tohelp the families and co-workersthrough their troubled times. We offer emotional support andwe will do whatever it takes to getthe family back on its feet. Our family of survivors increasedby four in 2008 and already it hasincreased by four more in 2009. We are non-profit and are sup-ported only by donations from po-lice agencies and private donors. If your organization can hold acharity event such as a bike ride,5K run, cake walk or anything tohelp us raise funds please feel freeto contact President Sandy Fontanaat 650-851-2361.

Special EventsSpecial EventsSpecial EventsSpecial EventsSpecial Events

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northern california cops chapter · northern california cops chapter 141 raymundo drive, ......

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