VOL. 81 NO. 12 APRIL 2021 SRA EMPORIUM LASD UNIFORMS We want to GIVE them away, but the Board won’t let us! (But we almost do anyway.) NOW AVAILABLE AT SRA EMPORIUM Second-Generation Optional Duty Custody Assistant Uniform Please call your local Emporium to Elbeco Class B and Flying Cross Cross FX uniforms available. confirm we have your sizing. Micro Ripstretch Shirt B Elbeco Class Elbeco Features: ALL SIZES ➤ Gusseted diamond mesh 15% OFF underarms for motion and air flow ➤ Two front chest pockets with two hidden document pockets, hook-and-loop closure ➤ Five sewn-in military creases; two in front and three on back Micro Ripstretch Trousers Cross FX Duty Cross ➤ Available in sizes Features: NOW CARRYING S–2X ➤ At-ease waistband self-adjusts up to 2” for a tailored look Elbeco Shield Duty Jacket ➤ Gripflex inner waist lining helps for custody assistants keep shirt tucked in place ➤ TactGuard fabric protector repels oil and water For more info, visit SheriffsRelief.org/store SHERIFFS’ RELIEF ASSOCIATION EMPORIUM LOCATIONS: STARS CENTER, WHITTIER (562) 946-7271 — MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9 A.M.–4:30 P.M. PJP RANCHO, CASTAIC (661) 257-5320 — MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9 A.M.–4:30 P.M.; CLOSED ON SATURDAYS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE STAR NEWS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SHERIFFS’ RELIEF ASSOCIATION Vol. 81 No. 12 .......................April 2021 Official monthly publication of the Sheriffs’ Relief Association of Los Angeles County, Units California, Inc.; STARS Center, 11515 Colima Rd., Bldg. B, Whittier, CA 90604. Phone: Trustees Monthly Meeting . 4 (562) 946-7081 or toll-free (800) 544-4772. Fax: (562) 946-5302. Retired Deputies . 5 COPY DEADLINE: 1st of the month for the following month. Send copy to: Temple Station . 9 [email protected] or [email protected]. Parks Bureau . 10 OFFICERS President ...............................................Rod Kusch LAS4D Spouses Supporting Spouses . 12 Vice President ................................... Diane Stone Secretary-Treasurer ........................ Mike Abdeen Transit Services Bureau . 14 TRUSTEES Scientific Services Bureau . 16 Joe Badali, Chuck Becerra, Sue Burakowski, Mike Fratantoni, Joe Hartshorne, Steve Katz, Rod Kusch, Personnel Administration Bureau . 18 Oscar Martinez, Conrad Meredith and Glenn Walsh General Manager .........................Bill McSweeney From the Docs . 21 Norwalk Station . 22 FOR ADVERTISING CALL (818) 848-6397 Walnut/Diamond Bar Station . 26 911M E D I A .c o m Peer Support Program . 28 The Chaplain’s Notebook . 30 911MEDIA® is a division of Peace Officer’s Fellowship . 31 Trade News International, Inc. Features Retired Marshals Lunches . 8 Star News (USPS 21670 ISSN 2637-4382) is published monthly by Sheriffs’ Relief Association of Los Angeles February Retirements . 20 County, Inc. at their headquarters, STARS Center, 11515 Contents of Table Colima Rd, Building B, Whittier, CA 90604. Periodicals post- In Memoriam . 30 age paid at Whittier, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Star News, Cover photo courtesy of SRA / Daniel Deitch 11515 Colima Rd, Building B, Whittier, CA 90604. April 2021 Star News 3 Trustees Monthly Meeting he regular meeting of the Sheriffs’ Relief passing of my father, Frederick Paddock.” Hopkins, Chongsarid Hutayana, Joaquin Ibarra, Association convened on Thursday, From the Tsheppe Trust to SRA, “Your Foun- Juan D. Jimenez-Bibian, Jarid L. Joseph, Peter A. February 11, at 536 South Arroyo dation and its work through the Survivors and Katalaris, Blanca E. Kelley, Rubyrosa F. Leoparte, TParkway, Pasadena, at the Arroyo Chop House. Dependents Fund were in Anne Tsheppe’s thoughts Joel Hk. Li, Ryan D. Lopez, Nhat M. Luu, Alisha R. The following officers and trustees were present: during her last years. Enclosed is a $50,000 check Machuca, Keith B. McCowen, Francisco J. Meier, Rod Kusch, President; Diane Stone, Vice President; from her Trust, payable to the Sheriffs’ Relief Alejand Mendez Albarado, Emmanuel Mercado, Mike Abdeen, Secretary-Treasurer; Trustees Foundation.” Nicholas M. Mileski, Alonza B. Moore II, Kate Chuck Becerra, Mike Fratantoni, Steve Katz, Oscar A. Nguyen, Yiming Ov, Charles K. Park, Nathan Martinez, Conrad Meredith and Glenn Walsh; BENEVOLENT REPORT L. Pena, Alejandro Pereyra, Samantha Perez, M. and Bill McSweeney, General Manager. Trustees MORTUARY BENEFITS PAID DURING Ramirez Gutierrez, Eleazar Ramirez, Daniel Razo, not present: Joe Badali, Sue Burakowski and Joe JANUARY: $299,500 Jordan G. Romo, Alexis Salas, Audrey G. Sanchez, Hartshorne. MORTUARY BENEFITS PAID YEAR TO Josue Sanchez, Giovanni A. Sera, Stephen W. Shan, The meeting was called to order at 5:42 p.m. A DATE: $299,500 Nickolas P. Trujillo, Francisco J. Vargas, Alejandro motion was made by Trustee Abdeen, seconded Vasquez and Brittney C. Walker. by Trustee Fratantoni and unanimously carried MEMBERSHIP REPORT We had 6 deaths of active members, 26 deaths to approve the minutes of the January 14 meet- A total of 1 new membership application was of retired members, 3 cancellations of active ing and the January and December Foundation received during the month of January. A motion membership, no cancellations of retired mem- expenditures. was made by Trustee Stone and seconded by Trustee berships, 2 new honorary associate members and Walsh to accept the following new applicants: 6 deaths of honorary associate members for the COMMUNICATIONS Kyle N. Ambat, Alejandro Araiza, Jose A. Avalar month of January. General Manager Bill McSweeney reported that Cruz Jr., Juan R. Barragan, Erik Benitez, Angela There were no members who resigned and 1 communications were received from the following M. Carrasio, Gabriel S. Costa, David L. Crocker, who transferred from the Sheriff’s Department/ during the month of January: Brandon A. Cruz, Cesar Curiel, Julianna T. Diggs, Relief Association during the month of January. From Julie Mac Quarrie to SRA, “Can’t thank Sean B. Estrada, Connor R. Freeborg, Christian you enough for your help and time!” J. Futrell, Andres Garcia Romo, Bailee N. Garcia, ADJOURNMENT From Jeanene McConnell to Denise Jezak, Erika Garcia, Jeremy T. Garcia, Chad R. Gittisarn, At 6:02 p.m., a motion was made by Trustee “Thanks so much to Sheriffs’ Relief for the mor- Emmanuel Gomez Gomez, Pablo C. Gomez, Sara Abdeen, seconded by Trustee Martinez and tuary benefit. It is greatly appreciated.” M. Greenlee, Joshua A. Guerra, Johnathan Guti- unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting of From Scott Paddock to Denise Jezak, “Thank errez, John A. Hackett-Lasher, Clinton A. Hall, the Sheriffs’ Relief Association, Sheriffs’ Relief you for your kind words and condolences on the Branden J. Hedge, Gina A. Henderson, Taylor B. Foundation and Sheriffs’ Relief Services, Inc. I Stay in touch with ARE YOU the Department and other retired members. Go to www.lasdretired.org, IN THE and in the upper NEXT YEAR right-hand corner, click on the “JOIN” button. 4 Star News April 2021 ? NEXT LUNCHEON: Retired Deputies Thursday, April 15, 2021 11:30 a.m. Buffet $10.95 By Chickee Nelson and Don Fandry Villa Catrina Restaurant 24 W. Winnie Way 251 N. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007 Arcadia, CA 91006 (626) 447-6962 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] n Wednesday, February 3, the Desert Mike Castorina, Tommy Heat Retirees got together in Lake Jimenez, Brian Smith, Havasu City, Arizona, at the Elks Lodge Robert Pellerin, Billie Ofor their monthly luncheon, and we all were ready and Dan Grahek, and to eat. They met at 11:30 a.m., and at noon, the Chickee and Norman 14 retirees entered the dining room. Everyone Nelson. The Desert Heat orders from the menu and received separate bills. Retirees Luncheon started There is a no-host bar. Those attending this month around 2000. When they were Jerry Gillen, Doug Muchmore, Bill Tag- first started, they met on gart, Steve Root, Linda Quinn, Kevin Gavaghan, the second Wednesday of each month, but several years ago, they switched to the first Wednes- day of the month. Jerry San Diego Retirees: Phil Brooks, Bill Findon, Bonnie Brooks, Ron Gillen organizes these Wisberger, Ron Eoff, Bob Henley, Bill Gaynor, Joe Raffa, Lou Brown, luncheons. He was in Harry Penny and Greg Simon Class #68. He came on our Department in 1957 and retired in 1987. The in Carlsbad. A good time was had by all, as seen by majority of his career was at Lennox Sheriff Station, their exuberant faces in the attached photo. Those which has now been renamed to South L.A. Station attending this luncheon were Phil and Bonnie on Imperial Highway in Los Angeles. The station Brooks, Bill Findon, Ron Wisberger, Ron Eoff, Bob serves Athens, Del Aire, El Camino Village, city of Henley, Bill Gaynor, Joe Raffa, Lou Brown, Harry Lawndale, Lennox, Moneta Gardens and Wiseburn. Penny and Greg Simon. They meet from 11:30 a.m. Jerry moved to Parker, Arizona, in 1988 and has until 1 p.m. They meet once a month on the second been in Lake Havasu since 1999. This group meets Wednesday of the month. If you are available, you the first Wednesday of every month, and all retirees can join them. If you have any questions, you can are welcome! If you have any questions, you can contact Joe Raffa at [email protected]. contact Jerry Gillen at [email protected]. On Tuesday, February 16, the LASD Northern Jerry Gillen of the Desert Heat Retirees was in On Wednesday, February 10, the San Diego Class #68 Retirees met at Hennessey’s Tavern in the Village continued on page 6 Desert Heat Retirees. Front row: Mike Castorina, Tommy Jimenez, Dan and Billie Grahek, Chickee Nelson, Linda Quinn and Steve Root. Back row: Doug Muchmore, Brian Smith, Kevin Gavaghan, Norman Nelson, Bill Taggart, Jerry Gillen and Robert (Bob) Pellerin. April 2021 Star News 5 Retired Deputies continued from page 5 LASD retiree Sheriff Bob Norris from Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department LASD Northern Idaho Retirees.