April 2021 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. Refer to the editorial submission deadlines, particularly with date sensitive announcements. Submit chapter news on the Chapter Chat Submission Form by the 25th of every month. Please attach to the email high-resolution digital .jpg or .tif photos to: Jen Naragon at: jnaragon@fbinaa.org.

Arizona

Chapter News

The 2021 Membership Appreciation Barbecue was held Friday, April 9th at the Glendale Heroes Regional Park.

Promotions

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Amy Bonney, NA Session 257, who has been selected to serve as the Interim Police Chief for the Prescott Police Department with the retirement of Chief Debora Black. Chief Bonney was born and raised in Prescott and has served with the Police Department for over 22 years. She is active with FBINAA and is currently the First Vice President of the Arizona Chapter.

Retirements

Chief Joe Brugman, NA Session 224, of the Safford Police Department retired in February to focus on his personal health. Prior to heading up the police department in his hometown, Chief Brugman served as the Police Chief for the Coolidge Police Department (AZ) and was a Commander for the Chandler Police Department (AZ).

We also have Chief Brugman and his family in our thoughts and prayers, as his son, Brian Brugman was recently shot in the line of duty while serving as a police officer for the Apache Junction Police Department (AZ). Brian is making progress in his recovery.

Connecticut

Retirements

Congratulations to Danbury Police Department Captain Robert Myles, NA Session 241, who retired on March 16, 2021, after 34 years of service to the City of Danbury.

Passings

The Connecticut Chapter is sad to report the passing of retired New Haven Police Captain James “Pete” Gill, NA Session 144.

Illinois

Chapter News

On March 9th, the FBINAA- Illinois Chapter Boards were able to meet to be sworn into their new positions and host their annual meeting. Congratulations to all in their new roles and thank you for your service to the FBINAA!

FBINAA Illinois State Board
(From left to right)

  • Secretary/Treasurer – Dane Cuny, NA Session 203
  • 2nd Vice President – Deputy Chief Brian Goss, NA Session 267
  • 3rd Vice President – Chief Deputy Cheryllynn Williams, NA Session 241
  • President – Chief Eric Shipman, NA Session 249
  • Past President – Lieutenant Chris Mueller, NA Session 252
  • 1st Vice President – Chief Vernon Foli, NA Session 251, Not Pictured

FBINAA –Illinois Northern Board
(From left to right)

  • Past President – Deputy Chief Vince Genualdi, NA Session 249
  • 1st Vice President – Chief John Madden, NA Session 265
  • 2nd Vice President – Deputy Chief Brian Goss, NA Session 267
  • President – Lieutenant Darin Felgenhauer, NA Session 257
  • 3rd Vice President – Chief Carmen Gercone, NA Session 252
  • Sergeant-at-Arms – Captain David Harris, NA Session 267
  • Secretary – Deputy Chief Sam Parma, NA Session 233

FBINAA –Illinois Railsplitter Board
(From left to right)

  • Secretary/Treasurer – Director David H. Hayes, NA Session 228
  • 1st Vice President – Chief Darren Gault, NA Session 269
  • 2nd Vice President – Captain Steve A. Lyddon, NA Session 254
  • 3rd Vice President – Chief Jeff Ramsey, NA Session 278
  • President – Captain Brian Wilham, NA Session 256, Not Pictured
  • Past President – Captain Morrie Fraser, NA Session 248, Not Pictured

Kansas - Western Missouri

Chapter News

The Kansas-Western Missouri Chapter hosted its annual Spring Retrainer in Manhattan, KS on April 20-23, 2021 with great training, events, and hospitality.

Welcome to the new FBI Kansas City Division Training & Civic Liaison Specialist Tonya Johnson! We are excited to have her on board assisting our Chapter.

Congratulations to Zim Schwartze, NA Session 231, who received the Missouri Department of Public Safety Director’s Award from Director Sandy Karsten and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety Life Saving Award from State Fire Marshal Tim Bean. Zim drove by a house on fire in rural mid-Missouri on February 10, 2021, and stopped to help. Another passerby called 9-1-1 while Zim ran into the house. She was able to wake a sleeping male subject and help him to safety along with five dogs. As Zim went back outside, she found the other passerby had collapsed in the driveway in cardiac arrest. She began chest compressions until fire, EMS, and deputies arrived. Though the passerby did not survive, Zim credits his initial actions as being the true hero during this event.

Promotions

Congratulations to Jack Fahrnow, NA Session 270, who was promoted to Deputy Chief with the Olathe Police Department (KS) in March 2021!

Congrats to Brad Jager, NA Session 277, who was promoted to Captain at the Riley County Police Department (KS) in March 2021!

Nebraska

Chapter News

Congratulations Omaha Police Deputy Chief Scott Gray, NA Session 255, was named “Nebraska Police Hero of 2020” by Police1! While off-duty, Deputy Chief Gray engaged an active shooter at an Omaha grocery store in March of 2020. We are proud of the heroic action Scott took along with the actions of an unarmed civilian to end the violence and place the suspect in custody. Click here for more details.

La Vista Police, Nebraska hosted FBINAA School Shooting Prevention Leadership Forum in Bellevue Nebraska, February 25-25, 2021. This training session was provided thanks to incredible support from La Vista Police Chief Lausten, NA Session 252, and the FBINAA National Staff.

Promotions

Chief Scott Lyons, NA Session 244, was recently named the Chief of Police with Belton Police, Missouri. Scott previously served for six years as the Chief of Police in Papillion, Nebraska. On behalf of the Nebraska Chapter, we wish you all the best with your new assignment! Deputy Chief Chris Whitted, NA Session 260, is now serving as the Interim Chief at Papillion Police Department.

Congratulation Laurie Scott, NA Session 274, recently named Assistant Chief with Loveland Police, CO. Laurie recently retired as a Captain after twenty-eight years of service with the Omaha Police Department. We wish Laurie all the best in her new assignment!

Congratulations Kenneth Clary, NA Session 269, recently named Chief of Police with Bellevue Police, Nebraska. Chief Clary previously served twenty-five years with the Iowa State Patrol, most recently as a Captain. We welcome Chief Clary to the Nebraska FBINAA Chapter!

Retirements

Congratulations Chief Dennis DaMoude, NA Session 187! Chief DaMoude is retiring after a dedicated 44 year Law Enforcement Career! Chief DaMoude began his career in 1977 with the Chadron, NE Police Department, he attended FBI National Academy Session 187 in 1996 as a Sergeant with Chadron Police Department and was appointed the Chief of Police in Holdrege, NE in 2000. Chief DaMoude will retire in June 2021. On behalf of the Nebraska Chapter, we wish Chief DaMoude all the best in retirement and thank you for your service!

New Jersey

Passings

The FBINAA New Jersey Chapter Executive Board regretfully announces the passing of member and retired Toms River Police Captain William F. Herkert, Jr., NA Session 217, as he succumbed to cancer on February 20, 2021, at 65 years old. After 45 years of Law Enforcement service beginning in 1976 at Vineland Police Department and retiring from the Toms River Police Department as Captain, he relocated to Lewistown, PA after accepting the position of Chief of Lewistown Police. He taught Criminal Justice at Penn State before relocating to South Carolina. Yet he continued his career path, becoming Deputy Chief and later Interim Chief of the College of Charleston Department of Public Safety.

New York Eastern Canada

Chapter News

On March 11, 2021, the chapter held the St. Patrick’s Day Debrief at Baldoria’s in Long Beach. The event was well attended and it was a pleasant gathering with members that have been unable to meet because of the pandemic. Special thank you to the NYPD Pipe Band who really set the mood. Great job by Tom Cummings, John Rogers, and Joe Del Duca in putting this successful event together.

Promotions

Theresa Tobin, New York Police Department, NA Session 189, was recently promoted to the Chief of Interagency Operations. In this role, she will assist in the coordination, transition, and collaboration with other city agencies that will begin to assume larger roles in the response to persons in crisis. Chief Tobin was a key architect of the NYPD’s Co-Response Team initiative, which teams up NYPD officers with trained clinicians to offer help to people suffering from mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.

Chapter Treasurer Paul Sandy, NA Session 220, was recently appointed as the Chief of Police of the City of Cortland Police Department. Paul started his career in Cortland in November of 1985 and has risen through the ranks. Paul previously served as the Chapter President in 2013.

Immediate Chapter Past President, William “Bill” Leahy, Nassau County Police Department (NY), NA Session 227, was recently promoted to Assistant Chief. Bill has been spearheading Nassau County’s COVID response and was a key player in coordinating the department’s response to protest activity.

Retirements

Chief Miguel Bermudez, NA Session 267, of the Freeport Village Police Department retired after a 33 ½ year career in law enforcement, Chief Bermudez served as Chief of Police for 9 years.

Lt. Kevin Young, NA Session 260, of the New York Police Department retired on November 30, 2020. Lt. Young was last assigned to the Intelligence Section as a Detective Commander. While he retired from policing, he has not hung up his cleats for good and is working as a consultant.

Chief Frank “Mike” Catalano, NA Session 195, of the City of Cortland Police Department retired on March 19, 2021, as Chief of Police, a position he held since 2009. Chief Catalano’s career spanned 41 years, the last 37 with the City of Cortland.

Ohio

Chapter News

LIMITED BRANDS LUNCHEON AND WIGWAM CANCELED FOR 2021
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Limited Brands Luncheon and the Wigwam will not occur in 2021. We are hopeful to get these events back on our calendar for next year.

SUMMER BOARD MEETING
The executive board will meet on June 2, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., at the Four Seasons Columbus Airport. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to President Check LoBello Jr. at clobello@bratenahl.org. If you need lodging, please click on the following link: Book your FBINAA Group Rate for Summer Board Meeting

WOUNDED VETERAN’S APPRECIATION EVENT
On August 19, 2021, the Ohio Chapter will again be a partner in the Wounded Veteran’s Appreciation Event in Port Clinton, Ohio. Please contact President Chuck LoBello Jr. at clobello@bratenahl.org if you would like to volunteer at that event.

FALL BOARD MEETING
The executive board will meet on September 19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., at the Salt Fork Lodge & Conference Center.

FALL RETRAINER
The plan has been finalized for the 2021 Fall Retrainer, and we will be going to Salt Fork State Park. Please save the date and more information will be sent soon.

OHIO CHAPTER FACEBOOK GROUP
 As a reminder, the Ohio Chapter has a private group on Facebook. Only approved members of the group can see the posts. This is a great tool to stay up to date on current events. etc. To be added to the group you must send a request to one of the Admins (Carl Roark and Wayne Baumgart) at osp1434@hotmail.com or wbaumfbinaa@gmail.com.

GUN RAFFLE
 The Ohio Chapter is conducting a fundraising effort to support the Youth Leadership Program. A SigSauer P320XC 9mm (FBINAA Commemorative) will be raffled off (or $875 Cash Awarded). The drawing will be held on June 2, 2021, at the Summer Board Meeting. Donation of $10 for each ticket and winner need not be present to win. For more information contact Carl Roark at osp1434@hotmail.com.

Tennessee

Chapter News

The Tennessee Chapter will be co-hosting their annual conference with the Kentucky Chapter in Nashville, TN on August 29-September 2, 2021. Registration information can be found at www.tnfbinaa.org.

Promotions

Darrin Stout, NA Session 258, with the Cookeville Police Department was promoted to Captain in January 2021.

Jason Proctor, NA Session 263, with the Metro Nashville Police Department was promoted to Captain in February 2021.

Retirements

Curtis Mansfield, NA Session 224, retired from the Tennessee Highway Patrol in January of 2020.

Keith Bean, NA Session 186, retired from the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in June of 2020.

Brian Johnson, NA Session 247, retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department in July 2020.