July 2023 Chapter Chat

BY OUR MEMBERS

PUBLISHED ON: Jul 28, 2023

The intent of this column is to communicate chapter news. Announcements may include items of interest, such as member news, section activities, events, training calendars, 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: chapterchat@fbinaa.org

 
 
 

Alaska

Promotions

Lieutenant Michael Zweifel, NA Session 280

Lieutenant Michael ZweifelNA Session 280, was promoted to Captain with the Alaska State Troopers on April 3rd, 2023. Captain Zweifel started with the Alaska State Trooper in 2003 and has served in Palmer, Seward, Girdwood and Soldotna. Michael will take over as the commander of A Detachment where he has been the acting commander and Deputy Commander. Michael holds an Advanced Police Certificate with the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), is an APSC Certified Instructor, and is the SERT Statewide Coordinator. He holds an Associate of Science degree. Michael thanked his wife of 32 years for her steadfast support, and the outstanding mentors who have helped him along the way. In his off time, Michael enjoys meeting up with his four adult children and two grandchildren who are spread out across the country. He can also be found cruising the highways of Alaska in his motorhome or floating the Kenai River. Congratulations and all the best in your new position.

Retirements

Lieutenant Freddie WellsNA Session 280

Lieutenant Freddie WellsNA Session 280, retired on July 1st, 2023, with 25 years of service as an Alaska State Trooper. Freddie started in February of 1998 and has served at “D” Detachment, Fairbanks Post, where he served in Patrol, as a Field Training Officer (FTO) and as a member of the Multiagency Traffic and Accident Enforcement Team. In 2000, he transferred to “B” Detachment, Glennallen Post where he worked patrol. In 2003, he was promoted to Sergeant in “D” Detachment, where he served as the supervisor of Tok and Northway Posts. In 2004, he was appointed as the First Line Officer with the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) where he served for five years. In 2017, he transferred to “B” Detachment, where he was selected to serve as supervisor of Palmer Judicial Services. In January 2020, he was promoted to Lieutenant, as the Deputy Commander of “B” Detachment. In July 2020, he transferred to Headquarters to serve as the Lieutenant in the DPS Recruitment Unit. Freddie is a Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Supervisor, Field Training Officer (FTO), and Tactical First Aid Instructor. He is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute, session 114, he possesses an Advanced Certificate with the Alaska Police Standards Council, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice / Strategic Intelligence from the Liberty University and attended the 280th Session of the National Academy.  Prior to his law enforcement career, Freddie served in the United States Army from May 1988 to November 1997. During his tenure in the United States Army, he was deployed to Iraq in Operation Desert Shield / Operation Desert Storm and served as a combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division. Congratulations on your retirement and best wishes in your new endeavors. 


California

Pictured left to rightKen TanakaNA Session 228, Past Chapter President, Wayne IkeuchiNA Session 182, Past Chapter President, Cris TrulssonNA Session 227, Past Chapter Treasurer, Janis TrulssonNA Session 224, Past Chapter President, Brian WhitbreadNA Session 227Mark SullivanNA Session 214Mike KihmmNA Session 262, Jim SmithNA Session 214, Past Chapter Training Manager.

Kneeling frontTony LevatinoNA Session 222

Several California Chapter members, including a few past California Chapter Executive Board members, represented the Chapter and attended the Hawaii Chapter Re-Trainer in Honolulu this June. All are retired and continue to stay active with the NAA.

Pictured left to rightKen TanakaNA Session 228Ed RossNA Session 79,

Kevin Lima, NA Session 197

Also while at the Hawaii Chapter Re-trainer, California Chapter Past President Ken TanakaNA Session 228, met two Hawaii Chapter Past Presidents, one of which (Ed RossNA Session 79) joined Honolulu Police Department in 1957, two years before Hawaii became a State!

Promotions

Alex HernandezNA Session 275

Congratulations to our very own Chapter 3rd Vice President, Alex HernandezNA Session 275, who was promoted to Assistant Chief of National City Police Department. Congratulations Alex, we are proud of you!

Passings

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Robert “Bob” Pifferini, Jr.NA Session 198, who passed in May of this year at the age of 72. Bob began his law enforcement career at the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office. He later joined the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. After playing football for UCLA, Bob was drafted by the Chicago Bears where he played linebacker. He played one season for the Los Angeles Rams before retiring from football.

We sadly report the death of Chief (Retired) Vincent John GiampaNA Session 178, of the La Palma Police Department, La Palma, CA. Chief Giampa was born October 26th, 1947, and died on June 20th, 2023. His death was due to complications from dementia. He served La Palma and the law enforcement profession for 30 years.


Connecticut

Promotions

Congratulations to Chief Sean Grant, NA Session 276, on his appointment as Chief of the Central Connecticut State University Police Department. Chief Grant will take over with the retirement of Chief Christopher Cervoni, NA Session 207, who was with the CCSU PD for 33 years. Chief Grant served the Town of Manchester, CT, for 27 years, where he retired as a captain to take the helm at CCSU PD.

Retirements

Congratulations and best wishes to Guilford Police Chief Butch HyattNA Session 226. Chief Hyatt Shredders retired on June 30th, 2023, after serving the Town of Guilford for six years and had previously retired from the Connecticut State Police as Lieutenant Colonel with 29 years of service to the State.

 

Congratulation to Chris CervoniNA Session 207, on a well-deserved retirement after a 33-year police career with the Central Connecticut State University Police Department. Wishing you a long, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

Passings

The CT Chapter is sad to report the passing of retired Fairfield Police Deputy Chief Donald Smith III, NA Session 253. Deputy Chief Smith retired in 2021 and served the Fairfield Police Department for 31 years. Smith was also the Chief of the Town of Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. The CT Chapter sends our condolences to the Smith Family.

Announcements

On June 27th, 2023, the Connecticut Chapter had a meet and greet to welcome Robert Fuller as the SAC of the New Haven Field Office. It was a great event, and we look forward to success fueled by collaboration and dedication.


Rocky Mountain

Promotions

Chief Norm Haubert, NA Session 261

NA Session 261 graduate Norm Haubert was selected as Chief of Police of the City of Westminster Police Department in Colorado. His swearing-in ceremony was held on March 20th, 2023. Congratulations!


Texas

Promotions

Chief Mike YoungNA Session 206

Mike Young, a former president of the Texas Chapter and NA Session 206 graduate, was named Chief of Police for the North Richland Hills Police Department. Congratulations!

Chief James KiddNA Session 281

Congratulations to James KiddNA Session 281, on being appointed as the Chief of Police in Keene, Texas!


West Virginia

Announcements