April 2023 Chapter Chat

FBNIAA Charitable Foundation with California Chapter

Congratulations to the California Chapter who beat all the other chapters in their donation to the Charitable Foundation. California beat out the Florida Chapter by $1. California donated $5,021.

Promotions

Aniceto “Ceto” Ortiz,NA Session 269

Congratulations to Aniceto “Ceto” Ortiz,NA Session 269, who was appointed to Assistant Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol effective March 20, 2023. He will oversee all field operations statewide, which account for nine divisions, approximately 10,000 employees and the vast majority of the department’s three billion dollar budget. He was previously the chief of the California Highway Patrol's Central Division based in Fresno. 

Promotions

Thomas Conlan, NA Session 275

Retirements

Chief John Lynch, NA Session 247

Retired Deputy Chief of Police Susan Zecca being honored by Mayor Harry Rilling and Chief James Walsh, NA Session 281.

Passings

The Connecticut Chapter is sad to report the passing of retired New Britain Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Edwin Mercier, NA Session 100.

The chapter would like to thank Verizon Frontline for their support of fallen police officers. On February 18, 2023, Temple University Police Officer, Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald, was killed in the line of duty. Verizon Frontline immediately stepped up and donated a large sum of money to the family of Sgt. Fitzgerald. Thank you, Verizon Frontline, for your continued support of our chapter and police officers throughout the country.   

Promotions

Jay Ciarlello, NA Session 276

Jay Ciarlello, NA Session 276, recently retired from Hatfield Police Department and was sworn in as the new Chief of Police for New Hanover Township. Congratulations, Jay!

Passings

Al DiGiacomo, NA Session 186

The Florida FBINAA Chapter will host its annual 2023 Training Conference at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront on July 9-13, 2023.

Promotions

Adam Geissenberger, NA Session 266

Retirements

Chief Michael Haworth, NA Session 213, is retiring from Pinellas Park Police Department. Congratulations on a great career!

Announcements

Chapter Vice-President Rosanna Cordero-Stutz with Florida students of NA Session 285

Florida Chapter First Vice-President Rosanna Cordero-Stutz visited Quantico and took Florida Session 285 team out to dinner. Congratulation to 285 for their graduation!

Promotions

Major Thomas Shopay III, NA Session 257

Thomas Shopay III, NA Session 257 and a 23-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department, was promoted to Major and assigned to the Technical Services Division. He is responsible for overseeing the department’s Communications Dispatch Center, Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Records and Identification Section, and Traffic Services Section.

He most recently served as Captain of the Area II (Kona) Criminal Investigation Division. Prior to that, Shopay served as Lieutenant of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Lieutenant of Kona Patrol, Lieutenant and Sergeant of the Special Response Team, Area II Vice Section, and Kona Patrol.

In August 2012, he received the department’s second-highest honor, the Silver Medal of Valor, for risking his personal safety barricading explosive ordinance found near an electric plant.

Captain Tuckloy Aurello, NA Session 282

Tuckloy Aurello, NA Session 282 and a 20-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department, was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit/Office of Professional Standards. Aurello most recently served as Lieutenant of the Records and Identification Section. He previously served as Lieutenant of Hilo Patrol, Detective in Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Detective in Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Sergeant in Accreditation, Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit, Field Training Officer, as well as serving in Patrol in the Puna and Kona districts.

Aurello received the Officer of the Month award from the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i in July 2006 for his work investigating a burglary in a Kea‘au subdivision.

Retirements

Chief Tim Edmiaston, NA Session 281

Lt. Tim Edmiaston, NA Session 281 is retiring from the Normal Police Department after 29 years of service. Tim has been appointed Chief of the Lexington Police Department in Illinois and will begin his new position May 1st. Congratulations!

Passings

Captain Brian Batterson, NA Session 257

On April 6, the Marshalltown community lost a devoted public servant and a great friend. Captain Brian Batterson, NA Session 257, served the community as a police officer from 1991-2022. Brian was a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the FBI National Academy.

Brian retired in June of 2022, following a stellar and decorated law

enforcement career. Brian was from Minnesota and loved the Golden Gophers. He

would occasionally talk about the Vikings, and we liked to tease him about his

choice of sports teams.

Brian was a humble and dedicated professional. He served in every assignment

imaginable inside the police department. He distinguished himself as a

detective, member of the tactical team, and in various leadership positions.

Brian helped lead the department through many critical events and difficult

times. Brian was a steady voice and calming presence during the 2018 tornado

and 2020 Derecho events.

More importantly, Brian was a devoted family member. He loved his wife and children dearly. Brian spoke of them constantly. He was a supportive friend and

colleague for many. He was always willing to help his fellow officers be

successful. He was the voice of common sense and reason. His advice was always

measured and on point. We miss him and his leadership at the police department.

Brian was taken from us far too soon. He made the police department and community better. His work mattered and he made a difference. He helped countless people. Please keep Brian and the Batterson family in your thoughts. If you are so inclined, please say a prayer. We will never forget Captain Batterson, and we will carry his legacy forward.

Chapter Meeting in Maine

On Friday March 24th, the New England Chapter hosted a luncheon training at the Sable Oaks Sheraton Hotel in South Portland Maine. Over 50 members from Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine attended. Ralph Twombly from Priority Learning gave an excellent presentation on creating a culture that promotes recruitment and retention. It was great to see everyone again and share a good meal and training.

Promotions

James Spellman, NA Session 240

James Spellman, NA Session 240, was promoted to Deputy Chief/Commanding Officer, Office of the Chief, in the Investigations Division of the New York State Attorney General’s Office on March 2, 2023. Spellman, a 36-year Law Enforcement veteran is based at the Attorney General’s main office in lower Manhattan, New York City.

Our annual spring training event went very well, and Paul Butler’s presentation was outstanding. A big thank you to DPSST and the FBI for supporting and assisting with the training.

The Oregon representatives for Session 286 are Kevin Barton (Gresham Police Department), Chris Lindsey (Portland Police Bureau) and Bradley O’Neil (Clackamas County Sheriff's Office).

2nd Vice-President, Erroll McCrea reports Fiona Hansen, a 15 year old junior at Corvallis High School, scored the highest and has been selected to attend the Youth Leadership Program in June. We look forward to her presentation related to her experience at the fall re-trainer.

Promotions

Congratulations are in order for Josh Brooks, NA Session 277, who has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent with the Oregon State Police. Well done Josh!

Promotions

Chief Richard Brooks, NA Session 227

Chief Richard Brooks, NA Session 227, was appointed to be the Chief of Police in Aubrey, Texas. Congratulations!

Retirements

Assistant Chief Sharon W. St. Martin, NA Session 236

Assistant Chief Sharon W. St. Martin, NA Session 236, will retire from the Deer Park Police Department at the end of April with 45 years of service. Her immediate plans are to sleep late, skip the commute, and travel as much as possible.

Virginia Chapter Board with Session 285

Members of the FBI NA Virginia Chapter Board visited Quantico on March 2, 2023 to have dinner and fellowship with the Virginia members of Session 285. It is always a great experience to interact with the current session and it gives past attendees a chance reminiscence. Best of luck to you all!

FBINAA Chapter Leadership Summit

Major Ed O'Carroll (Ret.) and Deputy Chief Greg Geist had the opportunity to attend the FBINAA Chapter Leadership Summit for Virginia. They had a great time being back at Quantico for a week learning and networking.

Retirements

Ret. Major Ed O'Carroll, NA Session 269

Ed O'Carroll is retiring from the Fairfax County Police Department after 33-years of dedicated service to his community. As the Major Crimes Bureau Chief, O’Carroll led a team of 240 sworn professionals and volunteers responsible for investigating all serious and violent crimes across the county. In 2022, there were 936 Crimes Against Person (assaults, homicide, sex offenses, kidnapping, and human trafficking) cases and 2,952 Crimes Against Property (robbery, arson, vandalism, extortion, fraud, and embezzlement) cases. Of these, O’Carroll’s violent crimes division investigated 22 homicides. Ed is a proud graduate of NA Session 269. Ed plans to stay active in the LE community as a civilian and will be working with companies to continue supporting our mission.