The following San Francisco Police Officers were killed or died in the line of duty in the month of February of …
1981: Lieutenant Vernon McDowell, from heart attack.
1978: Officer Robert E. Hooper, killed by gunfire from barricaded suspect.
1971: Officer Charles D. Logasa, killed in helicopter crash.
1970: Sergeant Brian V. McDonnell, killed in bombing of Park Police Station.
1943: Officer Timothy Ryan, shot interceding in a domestic dispute.
1937: Officer Edward F. Flagler, killed in a motorcycle collision.
Thanks to the Chief’s Office Team we now have a collection of Captain Commendations to choose from that highlight the outstanding work the officers of San Francisco perform on a daily basis without asking for anything more than a ‘thank you.’
We start off with Officer Jack Nyce and Officer Dustin Daza who are assigned to Park Station and were sent to check out an individual loitering on school property who had nearby school officials concerned.
Tough way to close out 2021 in The City when the following stories were reported during the final month:
“A Good Samaritan was attacked by a person on Howard Street in broad daylight who was wielding a knife and obviously mentally distressed.”
The Good Samaritan’s life was spared thanks to the police response but he’s a business owner and may possibly now move his company elsewhere without having to worry about our local crazies scaring customers away. Can’t blame him.
There are times when this column just writes itself. Take, for instance, the memo prepared by Sergeant Jarrod Yee complimenting those members of the Department who have no problem taking that extra step to ensure the safety of the public.
These officers volunteered to serve as liaisons with the California Office of Traffic Safety conducting multiple DUI Checkpoints held at locations with a history of documented collisions. They also served in the same capacity during holidays:
Two months ago, we reported that over 45 officers had submitted their retirement papers and were in the process of leaving.
We recently heard that there may be another group of officers also getting ready to leave in early 2022 – just 3 months from now.
If that is the case the vacancies will make it even harder for the police administration to provide for an effective policing strategy without the required number of personnel available.
This one had all the elements of a great crime mystery but a tragic ending that played out in 2 cities by the bay, Oakland and San Francisco.
It started with a missing person report of a young man filed by his parents that was passed over to Special Victims Unit where it was then assigned to Sergeant Andrea Creed, Sergeant Michael Horan, and Sergeant Mark Mitchinson. They did an outstanding job interviewing the victim’s friends, re-creating his last days, and taking step by step to find out what really happened.
We can understand how our Police Commissioners may not be entirely familiar with all of the Department Personnel Orders all of the time but we are strongly urging these appointed officials to check the most recent ones that have been issued. For example, Personnel Order No. 15 issued on 7/07/21.
Why?
Because by examining this document the Police Commissioners would realize that they just lost 45 officers to retirement while another 5 officers were recently benched because of serious injuries they sustained on the job.
The muni driver was stopped at the end of his route at Bayshore Boulevard and Visitation Avenue when an individual approached and brandished a semi-automatic pistol and pointed it directly at the driver while speaking incoherently.
The driver showed the intruder his empty hands and was lucky enough to convince the suspect that he wasn’t armed and, by doing so, was just barely able to escape from any harm.
Sergeant Mendiola of Ingleside Station handled the investigation and issued a BOLO for the suspect who had brandished a weapon.
May 1, 2024