February 2017
In this issue:
New chief’s enthusiasm rises with every Houston policing issue, Even those voiced by officers ‘drinking from the rumor hose’
Tom Kennedy
Art Acevedo, HPD’s new chief, accentuates two personality traits and seems eager to convince the troops they represent an altogether fitting leadership approach. In a recent visit by the Badge & Gun, the chief exhibited the enthusiasm of a head cheerleader and the authority of a star quarterback. He was up front about all the Read More Read more
New Johnny Bamsch Memorial ceremony set for Jan. 30
Tom Kennedy
On Monday, Jan. 30 – 42 years to the day Officer Johnny Terrell Bamsch, 27, died in the line of duty – a special memorial will be rededicated to his memory at the North Patrol substation at 9455 West Montgomery. The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. with Bamsch’s family members expected to attend. The Read More Read more
Officer Gomez and his family receive another blessing: An expedited taxidermy job involving ‘dream hunt’ trophies
Tom Kennedy
The law enforcement family extends outside Houston and to the far reaches of Texas. Those men and women with badges and guns – who protect the people 24 hours every day – stick together when the sticking gets tough. We have a story that best illustrates this point. Officer Jorge Gomez and his son Clint Read More Read more
An Open Letter to HPOU Members from Mayor Sylvester Turner
Mayor Sylvester Turner
I know 2016 was a difficult year for City employees. In the first half of the year there was worry about the budget and the possible loss of jobs. Then there was the uncertainty about the future of employee pensions. We balanced the budget in record time and we now have a pension plan proposal Read More Read more
Chief Munden climbed the HPD administrative ladder, Never forgetting needs of cops on the Houston streets
Tom Kennedy
For the record, Kirk Munden, who had retired several years ago as one of HPD’s executive assistant chiefs, will go down as an administrator who never forgot who he was and where he came from. He was a patrol officer from the streets of Houston. Plenty of testimony exists to provide every-day examples. Few people Read More Read more
Mark Clark’s tribute to Kirk Munden
Mark Clark
On Thursday, Dec. 1, in the late afternoon, I received word, like many others, that retired HPD Executive Assistant Chief Kirk Munden had suffered a critical head injury in his home earlier in the day. The very first reports were shocking as it related to the severity of his injury. Over the next few days, Read More Read more
HPOU honors Carmona and Calabro as Investigators of the Month
Tom Kennedy
The HPOU honored Officers Alex Carmona and Carol Calabro as Investigators of the Month in the December general membership meeting. Here’s why: Throughout the months of August and September, a series of Aggravated Robberies were committed on the north side of Houston by a suspect posing as a police officer. Carmona and Calabro handled each Read More Read more
Union honors Patrol Officers Sweet and Schlottmann
Tom Kennedy
On May 28, Officers J. Sweet and D. Schlottmann were assigned to IAH in Terminal C. Both officers were inside the HPD Terminal C checkpoint box, located at 3500 N. Terminal Rd. At 1949 hours, the manager of “The Local” (restaurant) frantically approached the officers to inform them that an elderly male was on the Read More Read more
If you don’t already know the HPD ‘secret,’ Wagner’s running for mayor of Pasadena
Tom Kennedy
If the Jeff Wagner secret hadn’t made it past the proverbial water cooler, it’s out there now in the broad open daylight of Rumorville. Wagner, a 33-year senior police officer, has been knocking on an endless number of doors and talking to every solid citizen he can find – not for any ticket-writing or follow-up Read More Read more
Earl Musick: HPD’s Family of History
Earl Musick
In May of 1979, American country music artist Hank Williams Jr. released a hit song Family Tradition. While listening to the song, I started thinking about some police officers in the Houston Police Department and their family traditions. Retired police officer Jeannine Maughmer Miller, third generation HPD, immediately came to mind. Jeannine is married to Read More Read more
Psych Services: Personal trauma: If you see something, say something
Lisa Garmezy
Maybe it’s anxiety, maybe it’s depression, or maybe it’s both. Maybe yours is a unique brand of misery that defies categorization. If you need mental health help but have hesitated, please reconsider. Nationally, the fear of rejection, discrimination or failure keeps people out of mental health treatment and causes those who do go to drop Read More Read more
Fallen Heroes: Officer Keith Alan Dees
Nelson Zoch
March 7, 2002 Keith Alan Dees was born in Saudi Arabia in a United States Air Force Hospital on October 19, 1956. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ruby Harlon Dees, were in that country while his father was serving in the military at the time. He received his early education at Anderson Elementary School in Read More Read more
A busy schedule bothers Tex the calf, doesn’t prepare him for new surprises
Matt Adams
Editor’s Note: Matt Adams successfully scrambled last year and took away the calf sponsored by the Texas Police Trust. Matt is supplying the Badge & Gun updates on his adventures with “Tex.” Howdy y’all! I hope that everyone is staying warm during this cold weather! I hope you enjoy reading about Tex and me during Read More Read more
The Risks of Steroid Use Outweigh the Benefits
Kelsey Seybold Staff
As an officer, you’re often reminded that being in good physical shape is necessary and makes your job easier. Sometimes this push for health is stressful and the desire to reach new physical heights can lead people to steroids. While steroids may increase muscle strength, there are serious health risks associated with their use. In Read More Read more
Obituaries of HPD Family Members
Tom Kennedy
BETHUNE Retired Sergeant Wayne E. Bethune passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016, at the age of 68. He joined the Houston Police Department on November 11, 1974, Academy Class No. 67. During his career with the Houston Police Department, he was assigned to the Central Division, South Central Division, Jail Division, and Northeast Division, Read More Read more
Thank You Notes to the HPOU
Tom Kennedy
Dear Houston Police Officers Union, Thank you for supporting the Texas African American History Memorial. We are glad Freddie Frazier was able to reach out and bring the police groups together to commemorate this important day in Texas history. If we can be of service, please call. Sincerely, Jennifer Pascal To all at Read More Read more
Department’s retirement numbers on the increase Due to key term in the new year – Recalculation
Tom Kennedy
With an unusual number of retirements scheduled to take effect in the new year, the Union prefers to concentrate on additional instead of subtraction when the key manpower number emerges. Today, the most-oft-quoted number in a numbers game that features the historically undermanned Houston Police Department is 350 – the probable number of new cadets Read More Read more
January Gaddis pistol representation was a dramatic moment
Tom Kennedy
HPOU’S JANUARY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING had a number of highlights but none like the special presentation involving the surviving mother and daughter of HPD Officer Guy Gaddis, wantonly murdered in 1994 by Edgar Tamayo. Tamayo was sentenced to death by injection but resided about 20 years on Death Row before his execution on Jan. 22, Read More Read more
