September 2015

In this issue:

September 2015 Obituaries
Tom Kennedy

BANFIELD Edison Hamilton Banfield, M.D., 91, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.  He is the father of Police Officer Edison H. Banfield, who passed away in 1998.  Services were held on Aug. 24 with burial in Houston National Cemetery.   BENASKE Lawrence D. Benaske passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015. He is the father Read More Read more

Irresponsible ‘reporting’ – examples continue to grow without facts
Ray Hunt

Recent events across the United States have resulted in tense relations between the police and some in the community. The media has added fuel to these fires by being irresponsible and reporting rumors instead of verifying facts, and allowing some stories to “grow legs.” They have created a feeding frenzy against officers across this country. Read More Read more

New HPOU app has growing number of users Who realize it has everything an officer needs
Tom Kennedy

According to the latest calculations, approximately one in every five HPD officers is currently using the first-ever HPOU app for cell phones. This new app, the reality result of the brainstorm of HPOU board member Luis Menendez-Sierra, encapsulates all the information in the 2015 calendar book published annually by the Union for the benefit of Read More Read more

HPD Strongman Chad Crawford finishes Second in national strongman competition
Tom Kennedy

Let’s say it’s a pretty safe bet that Officer Chad Crawford doesn’t often encounter resistance from suspects he encounters on the evening shift at South Central Patrol.   True, Crawford is “only” six feet tall at 229 pounds but on Aug. 15 in Reno, Nevada, he finished a strong second in the Police, Fire and Read More Read more

Caballero’s quick thinking and steady leadership helps capture 4 suspects, earning him Patrol honor
Tom Kennedy

When HPD officers were working a dayshift hotspot in the 1000 block of Federal Road, they spotted suspects wearing masks and carrying weapons enter a vehicle at the same time a robbery alarm sounded at this address.   They called for assistance and Officer D. Caballero responded. Caballero’s actions prompted the HPOU to recognize him Read More Read more

Force Science Training Conference
Barbara A. Schwartz

The Houston Police Officers’ Union (HPOU) strives to provide officers with the best defense possible in response to use of force incidents. Toward that goal, HPOU cosponsored a two-day training conference highlighting research into the the dynamics of human behavior during life-threatening, high-stress, rapidly unfolding force encounters.   Force Science Institute Executive Director, Dr. Bill Read More Read more

Tyler Martin tours NASA
Barbara A. Schwartz

On Aug. 6, the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston rolled out the red carpet to show support for Tyler Martin and pay tribute to his father, fallen Houston Police Officer Richard Martin.   Tyler and his guests were treated to a special VIP tour and behind the scenes access to the space center Read More Read more

The Barn Yard Crime Stoppers – the continuing adventures Of ‘Detective Mykala,’ a recent winner in the Calf Scramble
Mykala Rodriguez

Editor’s Note: Mykala Rodriguez won a calf in the Calf Scramble at this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The following his her update about her techniques for keeping her calf under control out at the “Barn Precinct.” See if you can figure out just who Detective Mykenzie is.) These are the latest chapters in Read More Read more

Election Reminder: October ballot includes president, secretary, 12 board members and constitutional change
Tom Kennedy

This October HPOU members will go online to select their president, secretary and board members representing odd-numbered positions as well as two even-numbered positions and a proposed constitutional amendment.   A vote in favor of the proposed amendment would mean the creation of a third vice president of HPOU “held by a person with the Read More Read more

Latest Thank You Notes to the HPOU
Tom Kennedy

Dear HPOU, Your support after my mother’s passing meant a great deal to our family. The plant you sent was very nice. On behalf of my family I offer you our most sincere gratitude. Yours sincerely, The Breen Family   HPOU, This is to thank uyou for your thoughtful kindness at a time when it Read More Read more

Psych Services Cop’s White Knight Syndrome with Distressed Damsels
Lisa Garmezy

Editor’s Note: Dr. Garmezy is on a well-deserved vacation. The Badge & Gun is taking the opportunity to rerun her most popular column to date – about the White Knight Syndrome. In matters of the heart, caring officers can be drawn to troubled lovers. A number of HPD men and women have played the part Read More Read more

Drunken Driver Strikes, Kills Officer Joe Zamarron As he Helped Investigate a Minor Accident on Market
Nelson Zoch

April 18, 1981 Jose Adolfo Zamarron Jr., also known as Joseph Adolph Zamarron, was born in Houston on Feb. 9, 1953, the son of Houston Police Officer Ignacio “Nash” Zamarron Sr. and his wife, Guadalalupe Zamarron.   Jose, or “Joe,” received his elementary education at the Resurrection Catholic School, attended Furr Junior High School and Read More Read more

If ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ rings true, HPD officers are losing their way without a will
Tom Kennedy

There is an old saying that goes like this: Where there’s a will there’s a way.   Before we go deeper into the subject of ways with last wills and testaments, let’s throw a staid old cliché into the mix. You’ve heard it many times and now is the time to disprove it once and Read More Read more

Countless admirers of all backgrounds and races shout ‘Amen’ To the praises of 63-year Houston police officer Mr. Thomas
Tom Kennedy

It was, as more than one person in attendance stated or understated, “a historical event.” Indeed, indeed. The historic Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church was filled to capacity on Aug. 18, literally fully loaded with renowned black leaders, equally notable white leaders, ordinary black citizens alongside white citizens just as everyday – all present to honor Read More Read more

The Presidents Message

Irresponsible ‘reporting’ – examples continue to grow without facts

Recent events across the United States have resulted in tense relations between the police and some in the community. The media has added fuel to these fires by being irresponsible and reporting rumors instead of verifying facts, and allowing some stories to “grow legs.”

They have created a feeding frenzy against officers across this country. We have heard about the case in Waller for several weeks, some accounts even implying that the lady was deceased when her mug shot was taken or that jailers may have had something to do with her death. The case was extremely tragic for this lady and her family, but there is not a shred of evidence uncovered that police or jailers had anything to do with her suicide.

In contrast, a few days after her death, an Asian man committed suicide in the City of Houston jail. It was just as tragic in that someone took their own life. It was reported on the news that day, and nothing else mentioned about it. There was not a shred of evidence discovered in that case that police officers or jailers had anything to do with his suicide, but that case did not gain any traction in the media and resulted in no protests or news conferences.

Why be re

… READ MORE »