September 2019

In this issue:

Editorial Staff

BAKER Retired Senior Police Officer Samuel A. Baker passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Susan R. Baker. He was a Veteran of the United States Navy. Senior Police Officer Samuel A. Baker joined the Houston Police Department on January 19, 1976, Academy Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

If you haven’t heard the name, here’s the ID: the Plain View Project. Now, the objective of what the project wants to put out there “in plain view” is any public Facebook posts and comments from police officers that might be considered twisted remarks that could reflect a bias. The record shows project personnel are Read More Read more

Nelson Zoch, Contributor

EOW: February 19, 1921 On Saturday night, February 19, 1921, a cold winter night in near northeast Houston, Detectives Johnnie Davidson and Tony Margiotta left the police station to answer a call in the area of Liberty Road and Gregg Street. A citizen had called about a prowler in that vicinity at approximately 10:45 p.m. Read More Read more

Kelsey Seybold

Your eyes are an important part of your health. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes and seeing your best. Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam.“You might think your vision is fine or that your eyes are healthy, but a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to be certain. Common eye diseases Read More Read more

Editorial Staff

Delegates at the 64th conference of the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) elected HPOU’s Joe Gamaldi as FOP vice president. HPOU’s delegation to the New Orleans conference, held Aug. 12-15 also saw the Union’s endorsed candidate for FOP president, Louisiana sheriff’s officer Patrick J. Yoes win election. Gamaldi’s campaign created an exceptionally positive stir Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

WE HAVE TO POINT OUT THAT THUMBS-UP AND THUMBS-DOWN opinion pieces often come across as clichés. But when a cliché becomes appropriate for making a case let her roll! UP – We have to congratulate HPOU President Joe Gamaldi on his election as the national vice president of the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

The next HPOU Financial Seminar is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Breck Porter Building, once again setting the stage for HPOU members to hear answers to the often-complex questions centered around financial planning. HPOU’s Public Safety Financial Group has “crafted” an easy-to-comprehend format designed for officers either in the early stages of his Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

The time has come to plan ahead. And the advance planning we are talking about involves the traditional HPOU outdoor family fun. We know it’s only September and still hot outside. So let’s plan for a cooler-weather activity that has proven to be the Union’s most popular family-oriented activity – the annual HPOU Family Picnic. Read More Read more

Editorial Staff

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Editorial Staff

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Editorial Staff

Westside Officer Jasmine Selle returned to light duty Aug. 21 after recovery from gunshot wounds suffered during the June 28 arrest of a gun-toting suspect who opened fire in the 10110 block of Forum Park. Selle got back-up from two other officers, Kevin Smith and Lazaro Maldonado. For their bravery and diligence to duty the Read More Read more

Heidi Hlavinka, Managing Editor

In the HPD Academy Training gym, a group of ten women stretched their shoulders, reached high, then swung their arms in big, swooping circles. Their instructor reminded them to breathe, her voice echoing up into the rafters. They inhaled and exhaled in anticipation of the night ahead of them. In the still, humid air, bleach Read More Read more

Editorial Staff

The 2nd Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament, held Aug. 8, netted $55,000 benefitting Assist the Officer and Texas Association of First Responders. Held at the HPOU Union Hall, the exciting benefit resulted in the following list of winners. 1st Place Poker – David Hammack 2nd Place Poker — Unidentified 3rd Place Poker – Read More Read more

Editorial Staff

I would like to thank you and everyone involved with the HPOU Scholarship. I was able to use it toward my financial aid package. I feel very fortunate to have been chosen as a recipient of this award. I will be a freshman majoring in Biochemistry Pre-Med at Loyola University, New Orleans and I plan Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

JGI Outdoor, a Houston-based billboard company with a favorable reputation for supporting first responders, has donated a billboard on the Katy Freeway which announces the HPOU’s support for Mayor Sylvester Turner’s reelection. The brightly colored board doesn’t mince any words. It says the Houston Police Officers’ Union supports Mayor Sylvester Turner. Constructed Aug. 1, the Read More Read more

Tom Kennedy, Editor

Officer John Daily has every right to be discouraged and never wanting to return to duty patrolling areas like the traditionally crime-ridden Telephone Road on the southeast side. We learn, however, that that is not the intention of the individual who has dedicated his career to a life in Houston Blue. He will return! “Police Read More Read more

Editorial Staff

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Editorial Staff

Assist the Officer Foundation will hold its first-ever golf tournament, Badges and Bogeys on Friday, Sept. 13 at Tour 18 Golf Course, 3102 Farm Road 1960 East. At least 20 foursomes were signed up by the end of August but event coordinator Gabriela Gregory of ATO said, “We expect to have 30 by the end Read More Read more

Rey Roldan, ReyBee, Inc.

In the current world of cultural and ideological divide, benevolence is in short supply, especially when extended to upholders of the law. To combat this, alternative rock band BLUE OCTOBER organized a benefit concert in Houston, TX this past weekend [sic] – Saturday, July 27, 2019 whose proceeds supported The Houston Police Officers Union’s Assist Read More Read more