July/August 2020 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: Jennifer Naragon at: jnaragon@fbinaa.org

Arizona

Chapter News

Due to the pandemic, our 3-day Trainer scheduled in Oro Valley in April had to be postponed. We hope to reschedule in the fall. Look for details to come.

Promotions

Charmane Osborn, NA Session 271, of the Phoenix Police Department was promoted to Commander.

Santiago Rodriguez, NA Session 256, was named Police Chief of the Goodyear Police Department after serving as the Interim Police Chief for a couple of months.

Steve Roser, NA Session 258, formally a Commander with the Phoenix Police Department, was selected as the Police Chief for the Prescott Valley Police Department.

Retirements

After 30 years of service, Dave Harvey, NA Session 261, retired from Phoenix Police Department. He has been a strong supporter and member of the FBI National Academy and the Arizona Chapter. We certainly wish him the best of luck in his future but still expect to see him at Chapter functions.

California

Chapter News

Congratulations go out to the Chief of Santa Monica Police Department, Cynthia Renaud, NA Session 214, for her recent appointment to the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf selected Renaud, who is not only Santa Monica’s Police Chief but also IACP’s 1st Vice President, to join this prestigious body along with six other leaders. The Council’s responsibilities include providing perspective and strategic advice given their professional experience to address emerging threats.

Promotions

Congratulations are in store for Joe Deras, NA Session 265, who retired from Gilroy PD and moved to Colorado as the Chief of Police for Glenwood Springs PD.

Congratulations to Kelly Gordon, NA Session 277, who was sworn in as the interim Chief of Police for Monterey Park PD.

Congratulations to Paul LeBaron, NA Session 261, who was sworn in as the Chief of Police for Hermosa Beach PD and had his swearing in ceremony streamed via the internet due to the social distancing mandate.

Retirements

Congratulations also goes out to Captain Karen Stubkjaer, NA Session 269, who retired from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department in March.

Florida

Passings

Sheriff Walter J. Gallagher was a member of the Florida Chapter for many years. Sheriff Gallagher was an NA Session 137 graduate in 1984. It is with great sadness, we advise the passing of former Sheriff Walter J. Gallagher on June 2, 2020. Sheriff Gallagher was the 26th Sheriff for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office with a lifetime of service to our country and the community.

Sheriff Gallagher was a member of the United States Marines, serving two tours in Vietnam. He began his law enforcement career with the Winter Park Police Department and served for nine years before being hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 1981. At the Sheriff’s Office, he was the project officer who instituted the DUI/BAT Mobiles, the K-9 Unit and the Mounted Patrol and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

In 1988, he was elected Sheriff of Orange County. He was the personification of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Sheriff Gallagher faced the task of dealing with continued growth and added 300 new deputies. He played a key role in the passage of the state’s Career Service Law for deputies and instituted the concept of Community Orientated Policing at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He wanted his deputies to have direct contact with the citizens they served as much as possible much like those good old days when a cop walked a beat. Sheriff Gallagher was also the architect for the agency’s Gang Suppression Unit and he maintained a number of programs designed to keep children some of them “at risk” kids, out of serious trouble before they could get in it. He retired as Sheriff in January 1993 but continued in public service until 2011.

Nebraska

Chapter News

Be sure to join us in Kearney, Nebraska for our Fall Re-Trainer, scheduled for October 28-30.

Promotions

Congratulations Hassan Ramzah, NA Session 246, who was named Chief of Police with the University of Nebraska Police Department.

Congratulations to Frank Peck, NA Session 235, who was appointed as the Chief Pilot with the Omaha Police Department Aviation Unit.

Retirements

Congratulations on Retirement, Deputy Chief Kerry Neumann, NA Session 261, Omaha Police Department.

Congratulations on Retirement, Captain Paul Hattan, NA Session 231, Nebraska State Patrol.

Congratulations on Retirement, Major Russ Stanczyk, NA Session 204, Nebraska State Patrol.

Congratulations on your retirement, Captain Frank Peck, NA Session 235, Nebraska State Patrol!

Congratulations are in order for our FBI Omaha friend, Dot Krajicek! Dot retired on June 30th after 24 years of dedicated service as training liaison. Dot was instrumental in coordinating FBI National Academy Attendance for both Nebraska and Iowa. She was extremely helpful throughout the entire process and remained active with our re-trainers and luncheon training events. We wish you all the best and thank you!

New York Eastern Canada

Passings

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Sean O’Donnell, NA Session 234, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2020. Sean would have liked all of you to know how greatly he valued your friendships with him. He has achieved many great things in his life from starting as a young rookie cop to retiring at the rank of Inspector in the Nassau PD.

Northwest

Chapter News

Join us for our annual pistol shoot September 11th. It will be held at the FBI range west of Buffalo, MN. Whether you are an accomplished shooter or barely know what end of the gun to point at the target, it’s a good time! If you would like to participate and did not receive a flyer email the chapter secretary/treasurer at northwestfbinaa@outlook.com

Retirements

Chief Karl Jegeris, NA Session 253, recently retired after more than 24 years with the Rapid City, SD Police Dept. During his time with the department Karl served as an officer, school liaison officer, juvenile detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and chief. Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender said, in part, of Chief Jegeris, “For a quarter century Karl Jegeris has served the people of Rapid City well, with a sense of calm, compassion, and community.” Sounds like reflections on a career well-spent. Congratulations, Karl, on your retirement and your next venture as the director of collaborative excellence for the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota!

Passings

Retired Commander James Ryan, NA Session 205, passed away unexpectedly April 12th. During Jim’s 30-year career with Bloomington PD (MN) he served as a patrol officer, school liaison officer, sergeant, and in 1998 was promoted to commander. During the following 19 years Jim spent time in command of all six divisions of the department, leaving an indelible mark on each. Jim and his wife, Kim, have three sons of which he was very proud. Jim was an active member of the Northwest Chapter, participating in a variety of get-togethers and had become the chapter’s unofficial grill-master, serving up brats, burgers, or steaks during our annual pistol shoot & barbeque.

Ohio

Chapter News

In memory of Special Agent Laurie Volls-Fournier who passed away on December 26, 2009, the Ohio Chapter has awarded two $1,000 scholarships annually since 2012. This year’s award recipients are Ryan Streator (son of Duane Streator, NA Session 232), and Emily Werner (daughter of Michael Werner, NA Session 263). Emily is also a YLP graduate.

Rocky Mountain

Promotions

Congratulations to George Dingfelder, NA Session 276, who has accepted an appointment as Chief of Police for Monte Vista, Colorado effective June 1st after 25 years with Colorado State Patrol. George retires from the Colorado State Patrol as a major, overseeing District 5 - Southwest Colorado. George is also an army veteran, having served six years before joining the Patrol. We wish him well in his new assignment!

Jim Tsurapas, NA Session 217, was named Parker's (Colorado) chief of police effective June 13, 2020. Tsurapas joined Parker Police as a volunteer officer in 1993 and began his full-time employment two years later. He worked his way through the ranks until his appointment as Parker's sixth police chief.

Retirements

Following 27 years of service to the City of Black Hawk, Police Chief Kenneth Lloyd, NA Session 199, announced his retirement from the Black Hawk (Colorado) Police Department at the end of April. Lloyd began his law enforcement career with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Black Hawk Police Department in July of 1992. He spent 26 years serving as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and commander before being named Police Chief.

“The City of Black Hawk thanks Chief Lloyd for his service,” said Mayor David Spellman. “We wish him and his family the best in his new chapter.”

David King, NA Session 198, retired from the Parker police Department after 33 years of service to the city, the last 13 of which were as the town's police chief.

Tennessee

Passings

The Tennessee Chapter of the FBINAA is sad to announce the passing of Lt. James Lawson (Ret.). Jim was a NA Session 189 Graduate. Jim began his career with the Hendersonville Police Department in March of 1984. He retired as a Patrol Lieutenant in June of 2016. During his career at the police department, Jim served in the Field Services Bureau as an Officer, Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant. He also served in the Investigative Services Bureau as an Evidence/Communications Sergeant and a Detective Lieutenant.

Jim was an active member of the Tennessee Chapter immediately following his graduation from Session 189. After his graduation, Jim served in many capacities to support his fellow members. Jim was 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, President, Past President and Secretary/Treasurer. You could say that Jim did it all. He will be missed by everyone in the Chapter, as well as others from Chapters all across the world. It seemed that Jim was always willing to step up when the Chapter needed him and did so to help fill the void of other officers.

Most importantly, Jim was a faithful Christian. If you were to ask his family and friends, they would tell you that was the role he took most seriously. After his retirement, Jim took over as the caretaker of a Christian Youth Camp in Castalian Springs, TN. He was very active in his church and his community and loved interacting with people. Jim was always available, whether it be as a friend, mentor, or fellow NA grad. He will be missed.