California Chapter
Promotions
Congratulations to Craig Friesen, NA Session 276, who was promoted to Captain with Anaheim PD in October 2019.
Congratulations to Damon Wasson, NA Session 265, who was sworn in as the Chief of Police for Soledad PD in March 2020, after serving as their Interim Chief.
Congratulations to Ruben Chavez, NA Session 232, who retired as Chief of Livingston PD and on March 16th, 2020, took over as the Chief of Police for Gustine PD.
Congratulations are also in order for Sekou Millington, NA Session 256, who left Oakland PD as a Captain and was sworn at the beginning of February as the new Chief of Police for Tracy PD.
Huge congratulations go out to Gina Anderson, NA Session 219, who left Citrus Heights PD to join Newark PD as their new Chief of Police. Wishing her every success in her new position.
Retirements
Congratulations also to Jim Smith, NA Session 214, who retired from Monterey Park PD and started in a new position as Director for Law Enforcement Relations with ecoATM.
Congratulations to Chief David Westrick, NA Session 271, who retired from Hollister PD at the end of December
Congratulations to Lieutenant Greg Deuerlein, NA Session 240, who retired January 4th, 2020, from the Department of Defense Police.
Congratulations also to Deputy Commissioner Scott Silsbee, NA Session 243, who retired from the Sacramento Division of the California Highway Patrol.
Also retiring from the Sacramento Division of the California Highway Patrol is Chief Chris Main, NA Session 238. Congratulations Chris!
Congratulations to Joe Deras, NA Session 265, who retired from Gilroy Police Department!
Congratulations are also in store for James Buzo, NA Session 227, who retired after 37 years of public service in Fairfield Police Department, Stockton Police Department, and lastly at the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. Thank you for your service James!
Passings
We recently learned of the passing of La Habra PD retired Chief Ronald D. Meehan, NA Session 144, who passed away on May 18th, 2019. After retiring Ronald went to Law School, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate. He then went to work at the Courts in Orange County and retired again sixteen years later from the Santa Ana Superior Court.
Condolences also go out to the family and friends of retired California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief, Lionel “Lonnie” C. Richards, NA Session 115, who passed away on February 20th, 2020. During his career, Lonnie was assigned to the Dignitary Protection Services and was the personal bodyguard to Governors Ronald Regan and Jerry Brown. He also oversaw the CHP operations during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Quite a career, thank you for your service!
We recently received notice of the passing of Grover “Bill” Payne, NA Session 214, on April 22, 2020. It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of retired Huntington Beach Police Chief Grover “Bill” Payne earlier this morning. Several of us were honored to be able to meet with his family and escort his body to the mortuary. May God bless the Payne family during this difficult time. Chief Payne passed away peacefully of natural causes in his Huntington Beach home. He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth, son William, his wife Katie, daughter Vicki, her husband Ron and daughter Laurie and her husband Mike as well as their seven grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Chief Payne started his career as an officer with the Huntington Beach Police Department on November 1, 1958. He became a Detective in 1961, Sergeant in 1963, Lieutenant in 1965, and a Captain in 1967. On April 18, 1987, he became the 15th Chief of Police for the HBPD. He retired on August 4, 1989 after more than 31 years serving our community. During his time as Chief of Police, he oversaw a department of 327 employees, including 197 sworn officers. Chief Payne had numerous commendations and letters of appreciation in his file. In 1961, then Detective Payne and another officer went into a burning home three separate times to pull family members out. In all they rescued an adult and two children from the home as it was burning. In 1969 he was attending a City Council meeting when a resident had a heart attack. Then Captain Payne performed lifesaving CPR. He was honored separately by the City Council for each incident.
During his tenure, Chief Payne brought the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program to Huntington Beach and assigned two full time police officers to the detail. In 1987, Chief Payne made one of the most significant changes to the face of the department, when he authorized the transition from all tan uniforms to all dark blue uniforms. In addition, Chief Payne personally redesigned the badge of HBPD to a larger, oval style featuring lady justice holding scales. Chief Payne chose the Greek God “Themis”, because she stood for the relentless pursuit of all who trespass on the rights of others. Chief Payne’s legacy lives on with this badge, as it is currently worn by the men and women of the Huntington Beach Police Department.
Chief Payne served his country in both the National Guard from 1949 to 1951 and in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. Chief Payne earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at Pepperdine University in 1973 and graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 99 in 1974.We are proud to be able to honor Chief Payne’s legacy, and we thank him for his dedication to our Country, our profession and our community.