November 2014

On Friday, October 17, 2014, a funeral service was held at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary on Westlake Avenue in Daly City. It was the last opportunity for friends of Gerald (Jerry) Crowley to pay last respects to the one person most responsible for establishing the foundation of the current POA as a powerful and respected labor organization in San Francisco, with influence spreading throughout California.

• President of the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association from 1972-1979.

• Founder of the “Blue Coats”, a group that transformed the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association into a powerful police union.

• In the 1970s was President of the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs.

• In 1971 spearheaded the first contract on working conditions for police officers in the City and County of San Francisco.

• In 1971 was the leader in passing Proposition E on the November ballot which provided for a civil service examination for police investigators.

The passing of former POA President Jerry Crowley at the age of 81 is a major milestone for the police labor movement in the State of California and, of course, for the City and County of San Francisco. Since the 1970s, little has been written about the sheer determination, leadership, and amazing accomplishments of this stalwart police union figure.

I speak for all members of the San Francisco Police Officers Association when I express sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of two northern California Deputy Sheriffs killed by the same shooter on Friday, October 24, 2014.

Sacramento County Deputy Danny Oliver, 47, was the first to be killed while approaching the suspect’s vehicle to investigate a possible carjacking. Deputy Oliver, a 15-year veteran of the force, left behind a wife and two daughters.