JULY/AUGUST 2019 Chapter Chat

BY OUR MEMBERS

The intent of this column is to communicate chapter news. Announcements may include items of interest, such as member news, section activities, events, training calendar, special programs, etc. Please submit Chapter Chat information to: Jen Naragon at: jnaragon@fbinaa.org

California Chapter

San Diego Division hosted the LEEDS conference in April this year, there were over 135 attendees and all came away with something to help them become better leaders. They also had an awesome view of San Diego








CA Chapter Secretary Max Santiago, NA Session 214, found he was featured as part of the membership messages at the Conference in Phoenix (See Photo #3), where he ran the 5K with Past President Laurie Cahill, NA #198.














First VP Eric Sonstegard, NA Session 246, had a reunion dinner with his session mates who he met up with at the conference in Phoenix.






Historian Gina Di Napoli, NA Session 225, was also able to connect with NA grads from her session while in Phoenix.







The Sacramento Division, led by 4th VP, Josh Ehlers, NA Session 259, had their second quarter event at Raley Field to watch the Rivercats take on the Omaha Storm Chasers.

Florida Chapter

Promotions

Nelson Moya, NA Session 263, has been selected as Palm Bay's new Chief of Police. Chief Moya has served the community for over 28 years in various roles with the Palm Bay Police Department. He was sworn in on Tuesday, August 13th, at the City Council meeting.

Kansas/Western Missouri Chapter

Promotions

Congrats to the following Chapter members on their promotions:

Adam Weingartner, NA Session 262, was named Chief of Police for the City of Ottawa, KS in June, 2019.

Jason DeVore, NA Session 234, has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Assistant Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol effective June, 2019. 

Michael Butaud, NA Session 257, was named Chief of Police for the City of Olathe, KS in July, 2019. 

Glen Virden, NA Session 269, was promoted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigations to Special Agent in Charge, Western Region Special Operations Division.

Retirements

SA Michael R. Miller, NA Session 259th, officially retired after 21 years of service from the FBI on 05/31/19 after following in the footsteps of his father Thomas Miller, who retired from the Bureau in 1985.  Mike and his father shared FBI Badge #3998.  Special Agent Miller entered on duty with the FBI on 06/21/1998.  He was assigned to the Chicago Field Office (Healthcare Fraud, Evidence Response Team, Domestic Terrorism and WMD matters) before transferring to the Kansas City Field Office, Topeka Resident Agency (JTTF Coordinator, Counterterrorism) in 2004.  In 2012, Miller took over as the Sr. Team Leader for the FBI KC Evidence Response Team (ERT).  Miller served as a Counselor for Session 259 of the FBI National Academy in 2015.  He was then assigned as the Training Coordinator for FBI KC in 2016 and worked with our Chapter for the past three years.  Miller's next career will be mentoring young adults.  We wish him the very best and thank him Mike for all he has done for our Chapter!  










SA Walter ‘Bob” Schaefer, Session 275th, will retire on 11/30/19 after 30 years of service.  Special Agent Schafer entered on duty with the FBI on 11/06/89 and assigned to the KC Division Headquarters until 2017.  He has been in the Springfield, Mo RA for the past 2 ½ years prior to retirement.   He has served in many capacities to include as a Case Agent White Collar Crimes (WCC), Domestic Terrorism, KC Division Evidence Response Team, Physical Fitness Advisor/Instructor, Bureau Assessor/Interviewer, and member of the KC Division Swat Team.  Bob’s involvement resulted in numerous successful high profile cases, deployments and awards.   Bob was a National Academy Counselor for two separate Sessions to include NA #238 (Jan 2012) and NA #275 (Jan 2019).  Thank you for your years of service and have fun in your retirement!  

Kentucky Chapter

On May 15, 2019, the Northern Kentucky Law Enforcement community came together to honor those who have fallen in the Northern Kentucky area and beyond.  The Kentucky classmates of Session 274 were present together, (Pictured from left to right, Lt. Doug Kopp – Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Airport Police; Sgt. Mike Winkler - Edgewood Police Department; and Capt. Russ Wood - Independence Police Department).  We believe in the sacrifice that was made by those who have fallen and those who remain.  It was an honor to listen and speak to the widow of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Officer Douglas Bryant who was killed in the line of duty on May 19, 2003.  His patrol truck was struck by the suspect vehicle that he was pursuing.  He left behind a wife and daughter who now are the President and Secretary respectively of the Kentucky chapter of C.O.P.S. – Concerns of Police Survivors.











Lilly Knight, 2019  Kentucky Chapter YLP participant, won the John Wagner Memorial Award for Outstanding Participant at the 2019 YLP session. 

Promotions

Jeff Welch, NA Session 246, assumed the role as the full time  Training Coordinator for the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in Madisonville, Ky on July 1, 2019. He retired from the Henderson Police Department in June of 2018. 















Frank Cates, NA Session 238, will be the new School Resource Officer for West Hopkins School in Nebo Ky as of July 30, 2019. Frank is employed by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in Madisonville, Kentucky. Frank retired from the Henderson Police Department in August of 2017.

Retirements

Chief Tony Kramer, NA Session 207, Edgewood Police Department is retiring August 1st 2019. 















Lt. Richie Whitford, NA Session 210, Fort Thomas Police Department is retiring August 1st 2019. 

Maryland/ Delaware Chapter

The Maryland Delaware Chapter was pleased to host the FBINAA Comprehensive Officer Resiliency Train-the-Trainer program in Newark, Delaware at Delaware State Police Troop 2. Twenty individuals participated in the program and are now prepared to develop this important program within their own agencies. 
The program was supported through a Motorola grant and was supplemented by the Maryland/Delaware Chapter. 
The FBINAA brought this program to Delaware on June 24th – June 26th. Special thanks to the instructors who included Mary VanHaute, Vinny Greany, Ron Winegar, and Jeff McClish. 
This important program enhanced our ability to assist officers in Maryland and Delaware with issues surrounding wellness and resiliency.  

Promotions

The Maryland/Delaware Chapter  is proud to share the promotion announcement of Past Chapter President , Melissa Zebley, NA Session 235, to Lieutenant Colonel which is effective August 18, 2019. Lieutenant Colonel Zebley will assume the responsibilities of Deputy Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.

The Delaware State Police Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., announced the promotion of Major Melissa A. Zebley to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on August 8, 2019.

Major Zebley is a 27-year member of the Division and was appointed as a trooper in July of 1992. Upon completion of her academy training, she was assigned to Troop 6, Prices Corner. In September 1997 she was transferred to the academy as a Drill Instructor. She served that function until December 2001.  In April 2002 Zebley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to Troop 1, Penny Hill.  She served as a patrol supervisor until October 2005 when she was transferred to the Public Information Office and later assumed the role of Director. In February 2007 she was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to Headquarters as the Fiscal Officer for the Division. In April 2009 she was transferred to Troop 2 near Glasgow where she was in charge of patrol operations for the troop. In August 2009 Zebley was promoted to Captain and was transferred to Troop 1 as the Commander. In September 2010, she was promoted to Major and served on the Executive Staff as the Administrative Officer and the New Castle County Operations Officer.

The Chapter would like to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Zebley on her well-deserved promotion!

New England Chapter

The New England Chapter held its annual training conference in Burlington VT June 23-26, 2019. MC’d by the NA’s own Paul Butler, highlights included presentations by Commissioner Bill Bratton (Ret), Paul Butler, and Below 100. Of course, we had a little networking as well, including a dinner cruise on Lake Champlain.  Excellent training for over 100 members, guests and day trainers from local agencies.

Promotions

James Falvey, NA Session 203, was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police of the Milford, MA Police Department, effective in October 2018.

Retirements

Rick Smith, NA Session 176 has retired after 46 years in policing, and 15 as the Chief of the Wakefield, MA Police Department. We wish him well in retirement.










Deputy Chief Marla St. Pierre, NA Session 186, retired from the Scarborough Maine Police Department on July 3, 2019 after serving 39 years. 
















John O'Malley, NA Session 234, was appointed as Deputy Chief of the Scarborough Maine Police Department on July 8, 2019.

New York/ Eastern Canada Chapter

Promotions

Deputy Chief Terri Tobin, NA Session 189, New York City Police Department, was promoted to teo-star chief in August, becoming the fourth female assistant chief currently on the job.  Read More...

North Carolina Chapter

Passings

James Newmeyer, NA Session 95, passed away on June 20, 2019.  He was Captain of Detectives with the East Brunswick, NJ Police Department at the time of his attendance and retired in 1987.

Northwest Chapter

Passings

Captain Haans Vitek, NA Session 227, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, MN, 53 years old, passed away of natural causes May 25, 2019. 

Ohio Chapter

Promotions

Staff Lieutenant Chris Johnson, NA Session 247, The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), was recently promoted to Captain and will serve as executive officer of the Finance and Logistics section.