The Utah Peace Officer, Issue 82-2

Dear All:

For me, it is unbelievable that this is my last message as UPOAA President! The year has just flown by, but has been one of the most rewarding in my life! Thank you to all who had the confidence in me to serve as your President. I had avoided serving in this capacity for so many years, but can truthfully say I have enjoyed every day of it and ponder why I put it off for so long! I want to thank my board, for their help and support and the most special appreciation and love to Veronica and Brigitte, who supported, advised and guided me throughout this year. I also want to thank my husband, Larry for his love an encouragement as I fulfilled my year as President.

I feel we, the auxiliary, have accomplished many great efforts this year–-they are summed up and described in my previous President Messages. I feel the most noteworthy accomplishment, is the Healing Field of Flags, we have done for the past year at the UPOA Memorial and the tribute on September. 11. My genuine appreciation to Brigitte for taking on this project and enabling it to continue. We are hoping for total sponsorship of all the flags and are almost there, so the Auxiliary will own them and they will be available for future Memorials and Tributes. If anyone would like to sponsor a flag ($30 each) please check out the information on the UPOA web page or in the magazine. This is an overwhelming tribute to our Fallen Officers.

I want to express gratitude to Dennis Bailey. It was indeed a pleasure to serve with him as Presidents of this wonderful organization. His support and that of the entire UPOA organization is greatly appreciated by the Auxiliary.

The Fallen Officer Memorial on May 5 at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake was truly an awesome tribute. Many thanks to Chaplain Clarke Christensen and his family for co-ordinating such a wonderful ceremony which included Governor J. Huntsman, Jr. and Miss Utah, Amy Davis. Marshall Lee Franklin Isbell from Richfield, was honored and placed on the Memorial, many years after his murder on August. 5, 1921. His death was unknown until recently and came to light through the efforts and investigation of Robert Kirby, columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune and former Police Officer.

I want to thank, most especially, those people who joined us the morning of May 4 to stake out the 112 flags on the grounds behind the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Although we were small in numbers, we were able to accomplish this task. What a gorgeous sight to see those flags waving amongst the unbelievable flowering gardens, especially the fantastic tulips all in bloom. Check out the pictures elsewhere in this magazine! It was a breathtaking sight and overwhelmingly received by the public, who came over to see what we were doing. Many joined in and helped us attach the ribbons and picture tags on each flag as Clarke read the names. It was wonderful to share this experience with total strangers. One couple visiting from Houston, TX told me this was the highlight of their vacation!

Heartfelt appreciation to the Department of Natural Resources–Division of Wildlife Resources Honor Guard—in particular Scott White and Ray Loken, who not only provided an honor guard for the flags after we had them up and displayed but also helped with the placement of the flags.

We are now preparing for the Summer Convention in Cedar City which promises to be a great one! This magazine will come out during the convention so our President-Elect, Gerri Haney, will no doubt relay all the details about the convention in her President message. My best wishes and encouragement go to Gerri as she begins her year as President!

Finally, I encourage all wives of officers in the State of Utah, to join our auxiliary. We all have a common bond, law enforcement husbands and lives. I am extremely grateful for the friendships we have formed and developed over the years and enjoy, so much, renewing them at least twice a year at our conventions----and besides we have fun!

My best and thanks to all, Ciao,
Toni------

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82-1

Dear All:

It is hard for me to believe this is my third message as UPOAA President! Where time goes is beyond me! Seven months down and all is WE L L L L L L L L L! (I think!).
Since my last message, our Christmas charity ($500) this year, along with $500 from the UPOA went to Henry McKenna–a Roosevelt City Police Officer who’s 2 month old daughter, Alexis, had a rare disease finally diagnosed as “mitochondria myopathy”—a genetic disease which makes it impossible for the muscles to utilize nutrition the body takes in. The family’s medical costs were extraordinary and their commute to Primary Children’s Hospital from Roosevelt, costly. Sadly, little Alexis passed away and her funeral was just two days before Christmas.
Mid-Winter Convention in St. George was fun for all-----many thanks to Dennis, who did an excellent job putting it together, including the gorgeous weather! It was a change from the normal format of Mid-Winter Conventions in that the convention center was a lovely, historic Opera House. The officer training was excellent, the ladies had many fun activities to choose from, i.e., Art Museum, Pioneer Museum, Wildlife Museum, Walking tour of the historic city and for most of us, the highlight was the Dixie Live Bus Tour. The bus stopped at various historic sites around town where Mormon Pioneer Leaders, dressed in vintage costumes from the past told us the story of how St. George was founded by Brigham Young. Included in this tour, when we stopped at the Court House, was the trial of a certain, Larry Gillett, for stealing water from his neighbor (he just happened to have his own bottled water he was drinking and asked the Judge if he could approach the bench with it, as it was evidence!). To make a long story short, he opted for a jury trial which ended in a hung jury (Mr. G has Rae Jacobsen to thank, as the rest of the jury wanted to hang him!). The Judge decided to ignore this hung jury and pass sentence of moving his water time to start at Midnight for 4 hours. Fun was had by all! Mr. G still ponders how they got his name???!!

The only hitch in the whole convention was that almost everyone got lost trying to find the “Cotton Town Village” in Washington for the banquet Thursday night. Despite road closures and no outside lighting, what-so-ever, we all finally made it and the banquet got underway at 7:40 PM. We were all entertained and enjoyed Robert Kirby’s Key Note Address.
During the banquet, as President of the Auxiliary with the blessing of my board, I presented honorary membership in the auxiliary to Lt. Julie Stringer, West Jordan PD and Sgt. Larry Wehrli, Highway Patrol which came as a total surprise to each of them. In the history of the auxiliary, there has only been one honorary member–Ben Lemmon. Julie is so deserving because, although herself an officer, she as always aligned with the auxiliary and joined us in our convention craft sessions when time permitted from her own training. She always, voluntarily helps Veronica and I at the UPOA monthly meetings with lunch preparation. Larry’s inclusion goes without question as he has always seen the needs of the auxiliary are met, not only when he was UPOA President, but continues to do so!
The memorial was approached differently this convention. The 48 names of the deceased Officers and Auxiliary Past Presidents, since last Mid-Winter convention, were displayed on easels during the entire convention and at the Opening Session, Chaplain Clarke Christensen paid tribute to them by reading their names and departments.
Our auxiliary fund raiser raffle was again, well supported. We made $487 with the generous donation of items both crafted and obtained. I would most like to thank: Larry Wehrli, Veronica Trujillo, Kelly Larsen, Gerri Haney’s sister and Larry Gillett. Their generosity and that of the individuals who buy the raffle tickets, enable us to continue one of our most important missions–charitable efforts.
The beer can shoot for the ladies was also lots of fun. Larry Wehrli did a wonderful job organizing and supervising the effort in the absence of Russ Lee. We have some “straight shooters” among the ladies and everyone had a good time! The support table up on the old tires will smell of beer for months!!!!—as will the back of our truck as we took home the “spent” can for recycle!
My heart goes out to all those in Santa Clara, Bloomington and St. George that lost homes and property during the recent flooding. As we watched from Salt Lake, on TV, it did not reflect just how devastating it was, but actually standing on the banks of the swollen river and seeing how big it grew, was overwhelming to say the least!!
Mark your calendars for Summer Convention–June 8-11, 2005 in Cedar City. More information will be coming soon (or maybe included in this magazine elsewhere) as to the convention center location and motel information. For my board members, the theme is “the color purple”. Please bring 2 table decorations for the banquet and 2 door prizes for the business meeting.
My Best to All, Ciao,
Toni

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President's Message UPOA Issue 81-4 - Dear All:
Where has the summer gone? I cannot believe as I write this, my second message as auxiliary President, four months have gone by since Summer Convention in Kanab! Hope you all had a wonderful summer!
I want to thank so very much, the many people that helped with our Healing Field of Flags for the Fallen Officers on September 11th at Murray High School in conjunction with Murray Police Department’s Health and Safety Fair. It was a huge success and kudos go to Murray Officer, Sam Dawson, the organizer for the event and our thanks to him for inviting us to join the Fair in honor of the Fallen Officers. An exceptional thanks goes to Brigitte, who designed and made the individual picture/story tags that hung with the ribbons on each flag and also to she and Joe, for the transport of the flags to and from Colonial Flags. She also thought ahead and provided a canopy for us to sit under, out of the sun, on that very warm day!
Also many thanks to Veronica (and her granddaughters Cassie and Cheyenne) who had the foresight to bring our UPOAA cookbooks and candles to sell as well. Additional thanks to my other board members who came and helped with the set up and take down of the flags that day and especially the Clarke Christensen Family!
It was heartwarming to see people mingling among the flags, pausing to read the stories and pay respects. We had many kind comments for this tribute. We sold 38 flags and some are still available for purchase at $30 each. Please contact the UPOA office if you are interested.
Our auxiliary also participated with the UPOA in a donation to the ‘Intercity Youth of Ogden’ Boy Scouts for a golf tournament held on September 13 under the direction of Ted McGregor, proceeds to go for under privileged children.
A reminder. Midwinter Convention is in St. George, February 3 and 4, 2005. The host hotel is Coral Hills Best Western and the training/meetings/meals will be in the Dixie Pioneer Opera House, 1 1/2 blocks away. Dennis Bailey has already done an excellent job putting this together. We are in the planning stages for tours both historic and of museums as outside activities - more to come later (probably included with this magazine elsewhere). There will be a beer can shoot for the ladies Wednesday, February 2 from 4 to 6 pm.
It is time to think about our Auxiliary Christmas Charity. If you have suggestions or know of a law enforcement family in your area, who could use some help at this time, due to a catastrophic illness or event, please contact me or the UPOA office. I only hope the publication of this message reaches you in time for a response.
Summer convention has been tentatively set for June 8-11, 2005 in Cedar City. Mark your calendars now so you can join us for a wonderful time! More details to come in the next magazine.
Have an awesome Holiday Season!!!!
My Best to All, Ciao, Toni

UPOA Issue 81-3: I come to you with my first message as President of the UPOA Auxiliary in humble appreciation. I thank you for your support and encouragement and promise I will do my very best, and more, to fulfill this position with a successful year! To all of you who expressed to me at this past Summer Convention, I was the one person who always said I would be on the board in any position, if asked, BUT NOT VP, PRES-ELECT OR PRESIDENT! Well, you are no more surprised than I!!! I also ask in advance for your patience and forgiveness, if I make mistakes along the way!
In order to have a great year, I need support from each of my board members as we move to increase and strengthen our membership. We are becoming extinct, (or at least are on the endangered species list!) First and foremost, we need to increase our member numbers. I encourage all positions, but especially regional reps, to make our organization known to the spouses of officers in their areas. Photocopy the application page from this magazine and distribute it to departments and encourage new members!
If you are an Officer reading this message and your spouse is not a member of the auxiliary, please take this magazine home and encourage them to join. We understand that spouses sometimes are unaware of our organization because the magazine goes to departments and is never brought home.
For all nonmembers reading this, let me acquaint you with who we are and our purpose: We were organized in 1933 and adopted our Constitution and By-Laws, which was revised in June 14, 1980 and thereafter. The annual dues are $ 10. Our mission has five parts: A-To promote the best interest and welfare of all persons and their spouses engaged in law enforcement in the State of Utah. B- To establish among the members and their spouses bonds of friendship, confidence and respect. C- To encourage participation in activities which support the Utah Peace Officers Association (UPOA). D- To initiate and execute programs of public information, legislation, education and social activities to the benefit and enlightenment of its members and their spouses. E- To further the professionalism of law enforcement throughout the State of Utah and strengthen the bonds of each police family through support of law enforcement in their homes.
More simply put we: 1) support our law enforcement spouses, 2) do charitable work, and 3) provide a support group for us spouses, who share a common bond.
So far this year, our charitable work has included: A cash donation ($1,100), generated from our raffle at Mid-Winter Convention, given to the “Bug” Fowers Fund, who is the 2-year old son of a Weber County Sheriff Officer who has leukemia; in April, a $200 donation to the Fraternal Order of Police Benefit Horse Show supporting terminally ill children; at the Fallen Officers Memorial on May 6, we staked 112 US flags in a Healing Field, on the lawn in front of the Utah State Capitol Building, representing the Utah Officers killed in the line of duty. At the conclusion of the memorial, twenty-two of the flags sold and the money, from their sale, went into the Fallen Officer’s Fund of the UPOA.
Summer convention 2004 in Kanab was enjoyed by all (except for the wind at the pistol range!), especially in reacquainting with old friends and meeting new ones. Our raffle was very successful ($603) with the gracious donation of items by: Kelly Larson, Veronica Trujillo, Veronica’s aunt Janet Gunyan, Brigitte Dawson, Janet Lee, Rae Jacobsen, and Larry and Toni Gillett. It is through these generous donations that we are able to raise funds for our charitable work. If any of you or your spouses have a special talent and would be willing to make or craft something for the raffle, either for Mid-Winter (Feb) or Summer (June) Conventions, we would be most grateful!
During Summer Convention the auxiliary also competes in pistol competition. Come join us-there is always a lender gun available as well as expert instruction and help from the men. A good time is had by all.
Speaking about Conventions, if anyone would like to have a specific training topic presented at either Convention or if you are able and willing to conduct a training session for the auxiliary, please contact either myself or Veronica at the UPOA office.
We are planning another Healing Field of Flags in honor of our Fallen Police Officers who have died in the line of duty, on September 11, 2004 at Murray High School in Salt Lake City during Murray Police’s Health and Safety Fair. Due to the distribution date of this magazine, you may be reading this after it has already happened. I will have a report about this event in the next issue.
As you will notice, new in this auxiliary section of the magazine, there is a recipe section featuring favorite recipes from our auxiliary members. I invite all of you to submit a special recipe (or two or more!) for inclusion in this effort. It will be refreshing and different to have a new recipe to try. Please send them to the UPOA office or email them to Brigitte (upoa@vii.com) and she will print them, as space allows, in each issue.
Mid-Winter Convention is set for Feb. 3 &4, 2005 in St. George. Hope to see you all there. A schedule of events will follow in the next issue.
It is my wish for this year that the auxiliary grow and expand, but I need everyone’s help to accomplish this!
MY Best to All, Ciao,
Toni