May 2023 Chapter Chat

Andrew Merrill, NA Session 257, at the 2023 Special Olympics Auction

LETA Table with FBINAA Board

Barry Wilson, NA Session 244, and Elizabeth Wilson at the Auction

The Alaska Chapter of FBINAA continues to be engaged in support of community activities and is a staunch supporter of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics. So much so they volunteer their bodies to be targets for community members during the “Battle With the Blue” auction item sold at the Special Olympic yearly Auction and the STAR (Standing Together Against Rape) Masquerade Ball. 

The idea was the brainchild of Andrew Merril, NA Session 257 and Secretary Treasurer of the Alaska Chapter, as a way to engage the community and raise funds for much needed community organizations. Community members bid on the opportunity to battle at PaintBall against Alaska State Troopers. Over the last 5 years the event has raised $15,000 to support the organizations and allowed community members to meet and build relationships. Great job, Andrew!

Promotions

Chief Kenneth McCoy, NA Session 265

Kenneth McCoy, NA Session 265, was selected as the new Chief of Police of the Tempe Police Department effective June 2023. Chief McCoy leaves Alaska with a strong history of involvement and community engagement through his time at the Anchorage Police Department, Military service, Providence Hospital and his service to the FBINAA Alaska Chapter as past vice president. Chief McCoy and his bride Sue are looking forward to snow free springs in Arizona. Chief McCoy was also the recipient of the UAA 2022 Alumni of Distinction award. Ken stated, “I am so grateful for this opportunity. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Anchorage community, the men and women of APD, and Providence. Thank you for believing in me!” We wish the McCoy’s a safe and prosperous transition to the next life experience. 

Chief Roxana Kennedy, NA Session 243, addresses the House of Representatives

Congratulations Chief Roxana Kennedy, NA Session 243, who was invited to provide testimony to the United States House of Representatives, subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at a hearing entitled, “FAA Reauthorization: Harnessing the Evolution of Flight to Deliver for the American People.”  

Promotions

Brent Carter, NA Session 282

Congratulations to Brent Carter, NA Session 282, who was promoted on May 1st to Assistant Chief of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Information Management Division. Assistant Chief Carter has 28 years of experience with CHP having worked in numerous Sections and Divisions.

Vendor Exhibition at CT Chapter Regional Command College

The Connecticut Chapter hosted its first Regional Command College in March at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Conference Center. The event, attended by over one hundred law enforcement executives from the Northeast, provided top-notch training and networking opportunities. We look forward to next year’s event.



Promotions

Town of Windsor Police Chief

Christopher Ciuci, NA Session 247

John DeAngelis, NA Session 165, and the Fairfield University mascot at a recent basketball game

Announcements

The Connecticut Chapter sends best wishes to Captain Patrick Carroll, NA Session 65, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in April. Captain Carroll is a World War II veteran who served the Fairfield Police Department for 30 years and has been a continuous and active member of the Connecticut Chapter since 1960. His contributions to the chapter, state, and nation are incredibly appreciated.

NA Session 284

NA Session 285

On March 31st, 2023, the Chapter held a welcome back luncheon for the members of Session 284 and 285. The event was well attended and took place at the Philadelphia Police FOP Lodge 5. Thank you to those in attendance, and we hope to see our newest members at future events.   

Promotions

Henry Giammarco, NA Session 279

Henry Giammarco, NA Session 279, was recently hired as the Chief of Police for Yeadon Borough in Delaware County, PA. Henry began his career in 1995 with the Philadelphia Police Department. In 2001, he left the department after being hired as a Narcotics Special Agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Henry rose to the rank of Senior Supervisory Special Agent and held that rank until being hired by Yeadon Borough in January 2023. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degree from American Public University. Congratulations on the new position and good luck!

Chief Pat Molloy, NA Session 250

Congratulations to Chief Pat Molloy, NA Session 250, on his appointment as the next President of the Police Chiefs’ Association of Southeastern PA. Pat has been the Chief of Police for Abington Township since 2018. In addition to that, he is an adjunct faculty member with Penn State University and an active member of various boards.  

Announcements

Addison Winters who was selected for FBINAA Youth Leadership Program

FBINAA Florida Chapter with Regional Representatives

On April 13th and 14th, the Florida Chapter Board and Regional Representatives met for a Board meeting in Jacksonville Florida.  

Promotions

Colonel Roger Young, NA Session 243

Announcements

15th Annual Pistol Shoot/ HR 218 Event

On April 17th, 2023, the 15th Annual Pistol Shoot/HR 218 event was held at the Saint Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Gary Morales Memorial Range in Fort Pierce Florida. This event began in 2008 to provide an opportunity for retired FBINAA members and retired FBI special agents to obtain their HR218 cards. The event has grown each year with 77 attending this year  Special thanks to the Saint Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Training Staff for keeping all participants safe.

On April 30th, members and guests enjoyed a great day of baseball in Miami where the Miami Marlins took on the Chicago Cubs. Attendees had a special bonus: they got signed copies of a book authored by Retired Aurora (IL) PD Chief Kristen Ziman, who is now a PROUD Florida Chapter member.  

On May 9th, members and guests had a rare opportunity to see the production floor of Lockheed Martin and experience the simulators that are used to train our military. It was a great day and a HUGE thank you to Lockheed Martin for making this amazing experience available to the Florida Chapter.  

Florida NA Session 286 at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Florida Chapter Second VP Jeff Eifler spent some time with the Florida members of NA Session 286. Every member attending from Florida was present at the dinner which was held at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Fredericksburg.  

The following people are the Florida attendees:

Matthew Zeller              Boynton Beach Police Department

Thomas Montellanico        Hallandale Police Department

William Schultz               Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Yanko R. Rodriguez           Homestead Police Department

Jonathan Welker              Flagler County Sheriff's Office

Dustin T. Cosson              Walton County Sheriff's Office

John Deegins                 Panama City Beach Police Department

Justin Ferrara                 Citrus County Sheriff's Office

John D. Mitchell              Federal Reserve Police

Jason Fields                  Fort Myers Police Department

David Lebid                  Lee County Sheriff's Office

Denise Roberts               St. Cloud Police Department

Carlos R. Torres               Orange County Sheriff's Office

Joshua David                 U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division

Graduation is set for Thursday June 8th, 2023.

Announcements

On May 16th 2023, Inspector Donald V. Norton, Detective Bureau, Niles Police Department, NA Session 106, FBINAA, Northern Illinois Chapter, completes 63 years in the field of law enforcement.

He retired from the Illinois State Police at the rank of captain in December 1990. He held the positions of commander, Division of Criminal Investigation, Zone 2 and Commander of the Chicago Patrol Division, District 3 in the ISP during his career there. Don retired from the Illinois State Police in December 1990 and went directly to work as a federal investigator with the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern Illinois Division, U.S. Department of Justice.

Don spent 23 years with USAO and retired from there in January 2014. He then went to work with the Broadview Police Department in January 2014 as an inspector, whose Chief Luis Tigera is also an FBINAA graduate. Chief Tigera worked for Don as a trooper in District 3, Illinois State Police. Chief Tigera retired from the Illinois State Police as the First Deputy Director, second in command. Chief Tigera in April 2017 retired from the Broadview Police Department and immediately was appointed Chief of Police for the Niles Police Department where 30 years prior he worked as a Community Service Officer. Don followed Chief Tigera to the Niles Police Department and was assigned to the Detective Bureau.

In 2022, Don’s partner Detective Sergeant Mike Boba, now Chief of Detectives and Don took on a 1992 rape, murder of a 34 year old female victim cold case and through a lot of tedious in depth investigation and luckily the offender a 70 year old sickly convicted felon was arrested. The irony of this case was a month before trial the offender died. Don has no plans to retire.

Thank you, Don Norton!

(Left to Right): Scott Rhoad (2015), Jeff Self (2022), Dave Williams (2021), Herman Jones (2023), Kelli Bailiff (2022), Jeff Hermann (2011) and Steve Cox (2020).

Our annual prestigious Clarence M. Kelley Meritorious Chapter Award for a Kansas member was presented to Colonel Herman Jones, NA Session 248. 



Colonel Jones has served nearly 45 years and started with Emporia State University in 1977 working with the campus police. He has served with the Emporia Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol (1982-1992), Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (1992-2000), Kansas Highway Patrol Director of Administration (2000-2011), Shawnee County Undersheriff and later Sheriff (2012-2019) and appointed as KHP Superintendent (2019-present). 

Herman has received numerous awards over the years and served with many organizations. His contributions to law enforcement and his communities in the State of Kansas have been outstanding! Congratulations to Colonel Jones for receiving our top award for his many years of dedication and professionalism-well deserved!

Passings

Our Chapter mourns the loss of Edward Enderson, NA Session 145, who passed away on April 3rd, 2023 at the age of 73. Ed joined the North Kansas City, MO Police Department (serving from April 1972 - March 1994) and obtained the rank of Major before his retirement. He then worked with the Clay County, MO Sheriff’s Office as the Undersheriff several different times (1994-2002, 2009-2013). He gave over 38 years of service to his communities.

The New England Chapter is pleased to announce that Chief Jason Moen of the Auburn Maine Police Department will be taking over as Chapter Secretary Treasurer at our annual retrainer in June at Salem, MA.

Passings

The New England Chapter mourns the loss of John Gibbons, NA Session 199. After a stellar career as a Det. LT with the Massachusetts State Police, John went on to be appointed the US Marshal for the District of Massachusetts. His quick smile and willingness to help anyone will be sorely missed.

Announcements

Rick Desjardins, NA Session 212

Congratulations to Rick Desjardins, NA Session 212, for his appointment as Director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Previously, Director Desjardins was serving as the Director of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy where he started as the Assistant director in 2014. Prior to that he had retired from the Brunswick Maine Police Department as Commander and served as Director of the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle Branch operations. Congratulations Rick!

We had our first regional lunch on April 21st in Forest Grove. Thank you to Brian Greenway, Jeff Williams, Dan Brown and Caprice Massey for joining us.



Passings

We tragically lost a member of our Oregon law enforcement family last month. Joseph Johnson was shot and killed on April 15th while attempting to stop an armed suspect. Through a partnership between Verizon and FBINAA National Chapter, Secretary Treasurer Greg Olson was able to personally deliver a check for $2,000 from Verizon to Linda Johnson who was extremely grateful. A big thank you to the Boise Police Department and Chief Iwai from Ontario for assisting with coordination and transportation.

Marvin Vincent Louis Woidyla, NA Session 120, passed away April 6th, 2023 at the age of 86. Marv started his law enforcement career with Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in 1961. Over Marv’s 27 year career, he served in several roles, including director of Search and Rescue and the Planning and Research Division. Marv was able to blend his passion for flight with his law enforcement career by creating and providing air support to the burgeoning Air Surveillance program.  Marv was accredited by the U.S. Secret Service and F.B.I. to provide dignitary protection services, affording him the opportunity to protect several U.S. Presidents and other political figures during their visits to Portland, Oregon. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1980.

Announcements

Keith McPheeters, NA Session 232

Russell Lengel, NA Session 250

Congratulations on our recently elected officers for the Rocky Mountain Chapter!

Keith McPheeters has been elected as the 2nd Vice President. He is the Casper, Wyoming Chief of Police and a graduate of NA Session 232.

Russell Lengel has been elected as the 3rd Vice President. He works at the Limon, Colorado Police Department and a graduate of NA Session 250.

The Utah Chapter held their 2023 Spring Conference April 16th - 18t, 2023 in Moab, Utah. We were fortunate to have Director Howard Cook and National 1st Vice President Scott Rhoad join us for the conference.

Steve Hansen and Blair Barfuss, NA Session 265, gave a presentation on the Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program, and Chris Tomaino, NA Session 262, gave a critical incident debrief on the Route 91 Harvest Festival/Mandalay Bay shooting.

On Monday afternoon, April 17th, there were several networking activities for attendees to participate in such as a UTV Ride and a Golf Tournament. Dale Brophy, NA Session 220, Gary Cox, NA Session 212, and Brian Wahlin, who is schedule to attend in July 2023, won the golf tournament.

We are now looking forward to our Fall Conference, November 5th - 7th, 2023, in St. George, Utah.

Blair Barfuss and Steve Hansen present ABLE Training

Howard Cook, Scott Rhoad, and President Jake Sube on UTV Ride

UTV Ride

Chris Tomaino presents the Mandalay Bay Shooting

Promotions

John T. McKee, NA Session 255

Swearing in ceremony for Major McKee

John T. McKee, past President of the VA Chapter and graduate of NA Session 255, was recently honored at a promotional ceremony as he has been sworn in as the Chief of the Division of Capitol Police. John was promoted from the position of Major where he commanded departmental operations.

Congratulations Chief McKee!