Santa Cruz Sheriff's Sergeant Killed in Ambush
June 8:   PPOA stands with the law enforcement community in mourning the tragic death of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller. The 38-year-old patrol supervisor was shot and killed on Monday in an ambush while responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle. The same incident resulted in significant internal trauma for a Santa Cruz County Deputy when his tactical vest stopped a round fired by the suspe ct. In addition, that deputy was hit by shrapnel from a pipe bomb and struck by the suspect's vehicle. A responding CHP officer was also shot in the hand during the incident. The FBI has confirmed an investigation into the suspect's possible link to the shooting of two Federal Protection Officers in Oakland on May 29th.


Sergeant Gutzwiller is survived by his expectant wife and their young son. PPOA extends our deepest condolences to the Gutzwiller family and everyone at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department. We also pray for a full recovery for both of the injured officers.
Fringe Contract Discussion with Coalition of County Unions
June 8:  PPOA joined fellow members of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) for a lengthy conference call on Monday. President Tab Rhodes and Executive Director Wayne Quint represented PPOA in the CCU discussion about the recent request by the County of Los Angeles to reopen the current Fringe Contract and suspend the 4% matching Horizons Deferred Compensation for one year.

For more information about the CCU, visit http://www.coalitionofcountyunions.com/
Meeting with County of Los Angeles and CCU
June 8:  Following the CCU meeting earlier that morning, President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow CCU reps for a conference call with County of Los Angeles representatives. Ultimately, t he CCU requested more information from the County and more time to review the provided data regarding the County's request to suspend the 4% matching Horizons Deferred Compensation for one year.
Meet and Confer with Sheriff's Department
June 9:   PPOA engaged in a joint 'meet and confer' with ALADS and LASD representatives to discuss the Sheriff's Department projected budget shortfalls, as well as savings plans, which include the expansion of CARPing (Cadre of Administrative Relief Personnel), and the re-initiation of the Temporary Overtime Reduction Assignment (TORA). Meeting participants included President Rhodes, Administrative Commander Rosso, Captain John McBride and representatives of LASD Employee Relations.
PPOA Board of Directors Meeting
June 10:  The monthly PPOA Board of Directors meeting took place on Wednesday. Directors in attendance included: President Tab Rhodes, Vice President Jim Blankenship, Secretary Tony Coleman, Treasurer Robert Maus and Directors Jody Clounch, Chris Lee, Carlos Marquez, Tony Romo, John Satterfield, Jim Schallert and Ryan Vienna. 
Follow-up Meeting with Coalition of County Unions
June 10: PPOA joined fellow members of the Coalition of County Unions (CCU) for another conference call on Wednesday. Executive Director Wayne Quint represented PPOA in the CCU discussion about the recent request by the County of Los Angeles to reopen the current Fringe Contract and suspend the 4% matching Horizons Deferred Compensation for one year. 

Follow-up Meeting with County of Los Angeles
June 10: Following the Wednesday afternoon CCU meeting, President Rhodes and Executive Director Quint joined fellow CCU reps for a conference call with County of Los Angeles representatives regarding the County’s request to temporarily suspend (12-months) their 4% matching contribution to Coalition members’ 457 (b) Horizon accounts. The CCU’s goal was to work collaboratively with the County for a fair and equitable agreement for the hard working men and women of the CCU and assist in mitigating the County’s projected revenue shortfall. The CCU unanimously believed an agreement could be reached. Unfortunately, after several hours of exchanging information and proposals, the County advised that they were unable to move forward in the process and the meeting ended without an agreement. 

California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations
June 12: PPOA President Rhodes and fellow  CCLEA members from around the state took part in a teleconference yesterday. The topics discussed focused primarily on the many current issues and events that the noble profession of law enforcement is facing. Without exception, the CCLEA members on the teleconference all expressed their deepest concerns for the safety of their communities and the brave men and women of their respective associations who remain steadfast in their commitment to public safety. CCLEA is California’s largest law enforcement coalition, representing 40 police associations (including PPOA) and 150,000 peace officers. 

For more information about the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations, visit: https://cclea.org/
Passing of Former PPOA President
The board and staff of this association were saddened to learn of the passing former PPOA President William "Big Bill" Reed on June 5, 2020. The retired LASD captain had been a PPOA member since 1956 and served on the union board from 1974 to 1978, including one year as board president and two years as vice president. This association is grateful for Bill's leadership and dedication to his fellow PPOA members. We ask that you keep the Reed family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

End of Watch: April/May 2020
This association expresses sincere condolences to the loved ones of the following PPOA members who passed in April/May 2020:

Retired Sergeant Harvey Hathaway
EOW: April 3, 2020

Retired Sergeant Arthur Howell Jr.
EOW: April 3, 2020

Retired Sergeant Charles Robinson
EOW: April 11, 2020

Retired Sergeant Louie Kemp Jr.
EOW: April 19, 2020

Retired Sergeant Richard Zimbel
EOW: April 19, 2020

Retired Marshal Lieutenant John Russell
EOW: May 1, 2020

Security Assistant Anthony Hopkins
EOW: May 19, 2020

Retired Lieutenant Dennis O'Neill
EOW: May 20, 2020

Retired Custody Assistant Christina Garza
EOW: May 31, 2020

PPOA 20th Annual Fishing Trip:
Join us on July 17th!
We're excited to report we received confirmation from LBM Sportfishing that the PPOA 20th Annual Fishing Trip will take place as scheduled on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Hundreds of PPOA members have enjoyed these trips over the last 20 years and we hope you join us out on the ocean next month! Per social distancing guidelines from LBM Sportfishing, our 85 foot boat will be limited to 36 people, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. PPOA fishing trips sell out every year.

DETAILS

Gathering spot:
Pierpoint Landing
200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Please arrive no later than 5:30 am
Boat leaves promptly at 6:00 am

Destination:    
Catalina and/or local waters

Boat:
85 ft. Enterprise 
Capacity for PPOA fishing trip:
36 people
All participants must have masks.

Cost:
$45 per PPOA member (1 guest $45 allowed per member)
Reservations are first come, first served. 
Call PPOA to book your spot: (323) 261-3010

Fishing license required. Purchase in advance or arrive early to purchase 1-day license. Rod/reel rental can be reserved with LBM Sportfishing: (562) 598-6649.
Coffee and lunch will be provided by PPOA.

PPOA BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT:
LEO Web Protect
Working in law enforcement comes with enough risks — the last thing you need is to bring the risk back home to your family. That's why removing your private information from the internet is crucial. LEO Web Protect i s a privately-owned corporation operated by active and retired law enforcement officers. Their sole mission is to assist peace officers, judges, public defenders and their families in removing their private information from the Internet. PPOA members are entitled to a significant discount by using the link below. The annual cost is normally $99.99 per year but PPOA members pay only $80.64.



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