March 2020
In this issue:
Obituaries
Editorial Staff
ADAMS Mr. Floyd A. Adams passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at the age of 65. He is the father of Police Officer Damon A. Adams, assigned to the Southeast Division. BERMUDEZ Mr. Gilberto Venegas Bermudez passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at the age of 50. He is the father-in-law of Police Read More Read more
Officer Thomas Loved to Help Firefighters; He Died on a Motor, Run over by a Pumper
Nelson Zoch
December 17, 1929 On Monday night, December 16, 1929, Motorcycle Officer C. F. “Osburn” Thomas was on duty on his motor in the business district at approximately 7:30 p.m. when he heard the clang of a fire department apparatus rushing south on Caroline Street. The trucks were going to a major fire reported at 1122 Read More Read more
Ask yourself: Do I have grit? And is it on the true grit scale?
Lisa Garmezy
Making it through West Point’s “Beast Barracks” requires the right stuff. Three percent of the cadets who worked for years to get into the academy drop out in the first two months, waylaid by seven intense weeks of physical and academic training. “Grit” predicts who will go and who will stay. Would you like to Read More Read more
Myths and facts about heart disease
Kelsey Seybold
It used to be rare for heart attacks to strike those under age 40 but not any longer, according to research presented in 2019 at the American College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual Scientific Session. New data revealed that more heart attacks are striking at younger ages, making age another of the common misconceptions about heart Read More Read more
Hats off and a hearty round of applause for Gavin Torabi, whose organizational skills continue to benefit Houston officers
Tom Kennedy, Editor
IF THE NAME GAVIN TORABI ISN’T A HOUSEHOLD NAME in the HPD environs, it should be. Recall that this solid citizen and entrepreneur pulled forth every ounce of resourcefulness in the Hurricane Harvey aftermath in 2017 to put together a team that fed 101,200 meals to first responders that included an untold number of tired Read More Read more
Detective Lam’s child sexual assault investigation produces results, Earns her HPOU’s Investigator of the Month honors in February
Editorial Staff
Detective Jessica Lam of the Special Victims Division (Crimes against Children Unit) showed great perseverance in a follow-up investigation of a 2018 case of going sexual abuse of multiple children. Her investigation resulted in the arrest of an abusive stepfather as well as the mother of the children involved. For her work Lam was presented Read More Read more
BARC Paws and Patrol
Editorial Staff
What happens to an unadopted 18-year-old foster child? Way Home Adoption has the answers and opportunities
Ashley Fields, Co-Founder and Director Way Home Adoption
Corey is six months away from his 18th birthday. For many kids, this is a time of anticipation and excitement. For Corey, and those around him, it’s filled with dread. Corey has been living in foster care for almost eight years and if he leaves on his 18th birthday, he will leave in the 10th Read More Read more
Meet the Midnight Riders and learn how you can use a gun (raffle) to help the kids
Doug Griffith, 1st Vice President
It’s time to rodeo again. I know that many of you look forward to the carnival, others to the food, and a few even like the performers. But what is most important is the money raised to assist the kids who work hard day in and day out on the projects for the Houston Livestock Read More Read more
Jerry Flores Fight for Life 2020 Golf Classic
Editorial Staff
Run Against Domestic Violence will give proceeds to the family of Sgt. Brewster
Editorial Staff
Second Baptist Work Crew group helps officer injured in the line of duty
Editorial Staff
Here we have a picture of two men who mow lawns with sharp blades and big hearts. Jacob Ives and Alex Schotanus, both with the Work Crew group from 2nd Baptist Church. These two young gentlemen learned that an HPD officer injured in the line of duty was unable to do his routine yard maintenance. Read More Read more
Gary Gryder Memorial Softball Tournament
Editorial Staff
Guns and Hoses presents Badge Battle
Editorial Staff
Second annual We Are One softball tournament benefiting Assist the Officer
Editorial Staff
Thank you cards from our members
Editorial Staff
HPOU, Thank you so much for the beautiful plant that you sent for Mom’s funeral. We are so blessed to have wonderful memories and a legacy of faith through her. We are so grateful for your expression of kindness. Family of Sgt. Randy Martin and Officer Randy Martin, Jr. Thank you for the beautiful ivy Read More Read more
Do it now! The last minute to get tickets to the ATO Heroes’ Gala Is approaching; Get your raffle tickets and plan to bid in auction
Tom Kennedy
We’re at the last minute of ticket sales for the exciting Assist the Officers Heroes’ Gala on March 28th at this year’s new venue, the Ballroom at Bayou Place as well as the nearby Lancaster Hotel for the overnight stay. “Go to the website and buy the few remaining tickets that are available,” event chair Read More Read more
Young Eastside officer, Abelina Lopez, named Patrol Officer of the Month for her dutiful actions in three policing incidents
Tom Kennedy, Editor
HPOU honored Eastside Officer Abelina Lopez as its Patrol Officer of the Month in the February general membership meeting, recognizing the young officer’s impressive actions taken to save a possible suicide victim, resuscitate an individual who wasn’t breathing and rescue a victim of continuous family violence. Eastside Sgt. J. DeMartin told HPOU members that Lopez Read More Read more
The Statistics are in for 2019, and you continue to do a great job!
Joe Gamaldi, President
Those who read these articles know I am big on statistics when it comes to our profession. Too often individuals attempt to use emotional arguments to damage the reputation of Houston police officers. After all this is 2020, when you share factual information you are accused of hate speech. Literally, this just happened to me. Read More Read more
Sunny skies and great coordination with Buffalo Bayou Brewery results in $70,000 fundraising effort for Officer Cedell Lovings
Tom Kennedy, Editor
An exciting, sun-drenched Feb. 1 event at Buffalo Bayou Brewery, literally down the street from the HPOU, raised $70,000 for Narcotics Officer Cedell Lovings, who is still recovering from wounds suffered in the line of duty. Basically, HPD and the surrounding community stepped forward to buy VIP tickets, bid in silent auctions and just flat Read More Read more
