December 2018
In this issue:
Assist the Officer Board’s dogged efforts results in the addition of Narcotics K-9s to fundraising pact
Tom Kennedy
The Assist the Officer Foundation has expanded its mission to include K-9s, those special four-legged officers who sometimes need assistance after a long and distinguished career. To date, ATO has assisted critically injured officers in need since its founding in 1991. No personal need is too great or small to prompt this special organization to Read More Read more
Zientek’s investigation solved more than 100 individual burglaries at a number of Kingwood area storage facilities
Tom Kennedy
The Houston Police Officers Union awarded Officer Michael Zientek its Investigator of the Month honor in the November general membership meeting in connect with Zientek’s work involving thefts from 43 different U-Haul storage units in Kingwood. As detailed by HPOU’s Luis Menendez-Sierra, the officer began his investigation on April 10 and learned that another Read More Read more
HPD Recognizes the volunteer contributions of the HCPAAA
Andrea Schmauss
At last year’s Houston Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (HCPAAA) Appreciation Dinner, President Jeanette Einkauf announced to Chief Art Acevedo that the membership had volunteered a total of 7,474 hours from Oct 1, 2016 through Sept 30, 2017. When that numerical fact was made public, Chief Acevedo challenged the association to double that impressive Read More Read more
Sergeant Seymour and three officers awarded Patrol Officers of Month Honor for DOAing suspect who shot at them and used a knife in attack
Tom Kennedy
The Union awarded a sergeant and three HPD officers its Patrol Officers of the Month honor in the November general membership meeting, citing actions taken when gunfire broke out when they answered a disturbance call at an apartment complex. Those honored were Sgt. James Seymour and Officers Michael A. Harris, Joshua J. Few and Read More Read more
One guaranteed New Year’s Resolution: Badge & Gun will be exclusively online in January – no more paper copy
Tom Kennedy
A loss has become a gain. Put another way: beginning with the January issue, the Badge & Gun will be exclusively published online at the Union’s website. Communications Committee Chairman Tom Hayes, HPOU’s third vice president, said this decision has been in the works for months, citing the growing monetary losses associated with the Read More Read more
HPD Burial Fund: Funeral Package Update and Long-Term Care Info
M. D. Beale Jr., 2nd Vice President HPROA
A while back we had an elderly retired officer die who was considered totally indigent. There’s been more than a few along through the years. I know it seems a bit hard to believe but it happens more than you might realize. Those of us that retired before the DROP/PROP programs started don’t have that Read More Read more
New HPOU Board Members to be sworn in Jan. 3
Tom Kennedy
President Joe Gamaldi and HPOU’s 2019 Board of Directors will be sworn in at the Union’s first general membership meeting of 2019 on Jan. 3. Gamaldi will be serving his third term. This year HPOU members elected the first and second vice presidents and even-numbered board position representatives. Those elected this year were Read More Read more
New Meritorious Community Service Award winners to be selected by HPOU committee
Tom Kennedy
The HPOU has created a new award to recognized members who assist other members in areas outside of law enforcement. The Meritorious Community Service Award is designed to recognize members of the Houston Police Officers Union who have gone above and beyond in serving their community outside the scope of their law enforcement duties. The Read More Read more
HPOU’s annual Family Picnic – as always – labeled A huge success with great weather and lots of fun
Tom Kennedy
HPOU Family Picnic Committee Chairman Dan Levine was ecstatic about the turnout and the amount of fun enjoyed by the estimated 1,500 HPD officers and their families who attended the Nov. 3 event at its new venue, Oil Ranch on Highway 290 near Hockley. “It was a blast, man,” Levine reported. “Everybody had a Read More Read more
Fallen Heroes: Officer Tony Trinh
Nelson Zoch
April 6, 1997 Cuong Huy Trinh was born in South Vietnam on May 18, 1971. He came to the United States along with his parents and a brother in 1983. Tony, as he was known to family, friends and fellow officers, joined the Houston Police Department by way of Police Cadet Class No. 158 on Read More Read more
Psych Services: Let’s make a crucial point: Police grief is Different
Lisa Garmezy
Grief follows death, so coping with loss logically follows my last column on catastrophic illness. Mostly, though, it’s not logic but the deaths of Sgt. Ron Helus and Officer Samuel Jimenez in mass shootings that prompted me to write this. Sgt. Helus told his wife he loved her and got off the phone to Read More Read more
Kelsey-Seybold specialist says surgery may not be needed to treat back pain
Kelsey Seybold Staff
Police work can take a toll on the lower back. Too much sitting, whether behind a desk or in a patrol car, heavy duty belts and other gear, wrestling with lawbreakers and carrying extra weight can contribute to pain in the lower lumbar region. The good news is there are several effective nonsurgical treatments depending Read More Read more
Obituaries of HPD Family Members
Tom Kennedy
BARNER Ms. Lucy Ann Barner passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the age of 55. She is the sister of Detective Charles C. Barner, assigned to the Burglary and Theft Division. Services were held November 10. BEVERLY Mr. Clarence Joseph Beverly passed away on Monday, October 29, 2018, at the Read More Read more
