PPOA Week in Review: Nov. 11, 2023

Suicide Prevention:

One Conversation Can Save a Life

Addressing the topic of suicide may feel uncomfortable but it is always essential. And right now for the LASD family, it is urgent.

We are all painfully aware of the tragic news that four active and retired Sheriff's Department employees took their own lives in a 48-hour span last weekend. The grief rippling through the department remains palpable.

Suicide is a public health problem that leaves profound loss for families, friends and communities in its wake. And while the thought of talking to someone about suicide can seem daunting, suicide prevention can and should be everyone's responsibility. We don't have to be mental health professionals to help.

PPOA emailed a list of valuable resources to members early this week. Please click here and take a moment to review that information.

6th Annual Run and Walk Hosted in Memory of Custody Assistant Anthony Thompson

November 4: PPOA President Nancy Escobedo attended the 6th Annual Memorial 5K Run and Walk for a Cause last Saturday in Long Beach. The event supports our community's youth by raising funds for academic scholarships awarded by the Officer Anthony Thompson Foundation. This foundation and the annual event are fueled by the passion of LASD Sergeant Ottawa Cureton.

Click here to learn about Sergeant Cureton's story of love and loss and the enduring legacy of her late son, Anthony.

19th Annual PPOA Retiree Luncheon

November 7: PPOA was proud to host our 19th Annual Retiree Luncheon on Tuesday at the Sheraton Fairplex. Board Member Jim Schallert (LASD ret. 2019) served as master of ceremonies and we were pleased to offer special acknowledgement to the military veterans in attendance. PPOA is grateful to more than 100 friends who joined us for a memorable afternoon.

Click here to view photos from the event.

PPOA Board of Directors Meeting

November 8: The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting was hosted in San Dimas on Wednesday. Directors in attendance included President Nancy Escobedo, 2nd Vice President Tony Coleman, Secretary Christopher Lee, Treasurer Joyce Kato, and Board Members Juan Carlos Calderon, Roel Garcia, Jose Rios, Jim Schallert, and Joe Walker.

Funeral Service for LADA Sergeant Emilio Guerrero

November 8: The memorial mass and interment for LADA Bureau of Investigation Sergeant Emilio Guerrero (EOW: 10/8/23) and his wife, Annabel, took place on Wednesday. Sergeant Guerrero began his career in 1994 as a Sheriff's Deputy (Academy Class 286) before joining the LA County District Attorney's Office in 2006.

First Vice President Jay Chapman attended the services on behalf of PPOA.

Custody Assistant Class 109 Graduation

November 9: The graduation ceremony for Custody Assistant Class 109 was hosted at Biscailuz Center on Thursday. Second Vice President/Custody Assistant Tony Coleman and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. represented PPOA at this event. Second Vice President Coleman also met with the recruits on Tuesday to offer advice, encouragement and answer questions.

Congratulations to every member of Class 109 for the teamwork and dedication required to complete the academy and begin promising new careers with the Sheriff's Department.

Click here to view photos from the graduation.

Funeral Service for Retired LADA Sergeant Deren Brady

November 9: Family, friends and colleagues of retired LADA Bureau of Investigation Sergeant Deren Brady (EOW: 10/17/23) gathered for his memorial service and interment on Thursday. Sergeant Brady began his career in 1995 as a Sheriff's Deputy (Academy Class 290) and retired from the LA County District Attorney's Office in 2020.

First Vice President Jay Chapman attended the services on behalf of PPOA.

Veterans Day:

Saluting the Service and Sacrifice of America's Heroes

We are profoundly grateful for our nation's military veterans, including countless PPOA members who proudly served in the armed forces. In fact, we made it a point to honor veterans in attendance at PPOA's Annual Retiree Luncheon earlier this week. PPOA extends a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all of our nation's heroes.

PPOA Board Election Reminder

Ballots were mailed in October to all Unit 612 and Unit 621 members eligible to vote in the PPOA board elections. Per PPOA by-laws, completed ballots must be received by 11/20/23 and will be counted in the PPOA Conference Center on 11/21/23.

Details and candidate statements were mailed with the ballots and can also be found in the October 2023 issue of Star & Shield magazine.

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 368,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

Important news regarding FOP membership for retired PPOA members: When a sworn PPOA member retires and wishes to reactivate his/her FOP member benefits, the following step must be taken:

To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $40 for 2023. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary: wmwestermann@sbcglobal.net. Be sure to include your full name and advise you are a retired PPOA member requesting membership with FOP.

Please make it a point to check out Washington Watch — a weekly news update provided by the National FOP. We encourage PPOA members to stay up to date on the legislative news and activity impacting public safety personnel nationwide.

Click here to read this week's Washington Watch.