January 2020
In this issue:
New Year, new City Council, but watch out for ‘new’ contract rumors as we plan to negotiate benefits competitive with other big U.S. cities
Joe Gamaldi, President
Let me start by wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year! With the new year comes a newly elected Houston City Council. The HPOU was once again very successful in our runoff endorsements. Every single one of our endorsed candidates won their races and insures for the next four years we will have Read More Read more
HPOU honors Officers Amesquita and Steward as Officers of the Month for a successful investigation
Tom Kennedy, Editor
The Houston Police Officers Union honored Officers George Amesquita and Daniel Stewart as Patrol Officers of the Month for their work apprehending two robbery suspects. The two were nominated by Officer Felix Lopez, who commended the officers for performing their duty “through the most trying of circumstances” and for “fearless actions in the face of Read More Read more
International Boxing Commission Smoker II event benefiting first responders
Editorial Staff
HPOU Legal’s Mary Nan Huffman announces her run for Harris County district attorney in 2020
Editorial Staff
The Houston Police Officers Union makes no secret in its opposition to incumbent Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. A September Badge & Gun editorial stated, “We still can’t say anything positive for Ogg’s dealings with policing in Houston and the overall support for the needs of law enforcement throughout Harris County. We will give Read More Read more
BBQ Benefit for Special Investigator and SWAT Officer Cedell Lovings
Editorial Staff
Detective Chavez, Corrales’ Replacement, Killed in Domestic Disturbance on Houston’s East Side
Nelson Zoch
EOW: September 17, 1925 On the evening of Wednesday, January 21, 1925, the lives of three individuals came abruptly to a violent end in the 2000 block of Congress Avenue at what was then near the eastern edge of the City of Houston. There was Houston Police Detective Pete Corrales, an officer for just four Read More Read more
Obituaries
Editorial Staff
BANKSTON Retired Police Officer Jo Marie “Fena” Bankston passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Police Officer James C. “J.C.” Bankston, father-in-law, Sergeant Garland W. Bankston, brother-in-law’s, retired Police Officer Garland L. Bankston and retired Police Officer Stanley J. Skearton. She is also the aunt of retired Read More Read more
Houston Police Department Marksmanship Team making their name
Jerry McClain, Narcotics Division
The Marksmanship Team of the Houston Police Department has been actively shooting local and major shooting competitions in various disciplines during the teams inaugural season. The HPDMT was established in February, 2019, to promote, maintain, improve and advance marksmanship among Houston Police Department officers. The team is currently led by Commander Craig Bellamy (Gessner) and Read More Read more
HPD Officer and Boxer Cassandra Dominguez prepares to bring attention to Roccaforte and others in Smoker II ATO fundraiser
Tom Kennedy, Editor
It should go without saying that suspects in the territory of South Central Tact had better beware of SCT Officer Cassandra Dominguez and her ongoing training as a member of the HPD boxing team. A college scholarship athlete before her HPD tenure began four years ago, Dominguez spent months working out with the boxers in Read More Read more
Eulogy for Sgt. Christopher Brewster as spoken by J.J. Cole
J.J. Cole
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the verbatim eulogy delivered by JJ Cole, one of Sgt. Chris Brewster’s lifelong friends, at the Dec. 12 memorial service at Grace Church. Hello, my name is J.J. Cole. I’ve known Chris my entire life, from pre-school up until now. I’m honored to speak on behalf of friends and family as Read More Read more
Dinner for officers on duty during the holidays
Editorial Staff
Eulogy for Sgt. Christopher Brewster as spoken by Sgt. Justin Hayes
Sgt. Justin Hayes
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sgt. Justin Hayes was Sgt. Chris Brewster’s best friend in the Houston Police Department. Sgt. Hayes delivered this very moving eulogy as part of Sgt. Brewster’s Dec. 12 memorial service at Grace Church. The Badge & Gun presents this verbatim account. I was fortunate enough to call Chris one of my best friends Read More Read more
Get the HPD number correct: 5,366 officers – and counting!
Tom Kennedy, Editor
POLICE OFFICERS EVERYWHERE HAVE THE HABIT of sharing rumors. Some of these wild stories split the hairs of humanity and can frequently entail numbers games of all amounts and decimal places. HPOU President Joe Gamaldi cited one example in the December general membership meeting. He pointed out that officers always seem to be misquoting the Read More Read more
2020 HPOU Scholarship Application
Editorial Staff
Scholarship Commitment Letter scholarship-application2020 UPDATED INSTRUCTIONS 2020 Read more
Thousands hear tributes to HPD fallen hero as a dedicated officer, brave to the end, a bright soulful man with a great sense of humor
Tom Kennedy, Editor
The evidence – testimony of a sort – clearly proved that Chris Brewster lived his nine years of duty on the Houston Police Department with deep dedication, empathy and a memorable sense of humor. The same thing was said about the entire 32 years he spent on Earth. As Sgt. Justin Hayes, his academy classmate Read More Read more
With gratitude from our members…
Editorial Staff
To everyone at HPOU, On behalf of our entire family, thank you for the beautiful flowers and for your thoughtfulness. Wayne Carr, Uncle of Stephen Carr HPOU, The plant was beautiful. Thank you all. The Nance Family HPOU, Thank you so much. By the family of Shelia Ann Semien-Johnson Dear HPOU, Thank you for the Read More Read more
Get ready for the biggest ATO Heroes’ Gala ever!
Tom Kennedy, Editor
Last year tickets to the Assist the Officer Heroes Gala were in such demand that the venue bulged to over-capacity. That heavy demand prompted the planners for this exciting 3rd annual tradition to move to a new bigger location, with a new band, and new host hotel! Still convenient to the HPOU’s office and downtown Read More Read more
Officer Steve Magness’ work with narcotics task force earns him HPOU’s Investigator of the Month honors in December
Tom Kennedy, Editor
HPOU recognized Narcotics Officer Steve Magness as its Investigator of the Month in the December general membership meeting. Officer Magness is a member of the Houston Money Laundering Initiative, which consists of law enforcement officers from the federal, state and local levels. As part of his duties, Magness investigated a suspect who allegedly was a Read More Read more
