Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund

Greetings! To say that 2020 has been a trying year is an understatement! The Board of Directors for BALEAF want to assure you that we are still hard at work providing support to our law enforcement family. Our website, www.baleaf.org has a new look as we welcome Carol Patrick as our new webmaster. Please check out our new and improved website. Donations are always welcomed if you feel like giving! Thank You!

When Cops Retire When a good cop leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he/she knows what he/she is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are... hung up in the back of the closet . We know even if he/she throws them away, they will be on him/her with every step and breath that remains in his/her life. We also know how the very bearing of the man/woman speaks of what he/she was and in his/her heart still is. These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty. So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that 'Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,' and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity/organization the world has ever known. LAW ENFORCEMENT FRIENDS: Will forward this.. There are those that think they understand. And then . . . There are cops. (Thanks to Darrel ISP!)

It is with a heavy heart that we notify our Law Enforcement Brothers and Sisters of the death of Chief Tim Foley. Tim served with the San Francisco Police Department for over 30 years, and went on to be the Chief of Nevada City PD, and then St. Helena PD. Tim passed away while working with the IACP in Paris, France. Tim has served on the Board of Directors for BALEAF for the last decade plus and his loss is like a gut punch. Tim will be deeply missed by all who worked for him and with him, and all whose lives have been enriched by having him in our lives. Godspeed Tim, until we meet again

Tickets for Law Enforcement Night with the San Jose Sharks are now available! Your special event tickets can only be purchased through BALEAF! We're expecting tickets to sell out, so get your tickets early, so you won't be disappointed!

Save the Date for Law Enforcement Night with the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, November 8th against the Chicago Blackhawks! Details will be coming soon!!

Here are a few photos from Law Enforcement Night with the Giants at Oracle Park on Thursday, July 18, 2019! The evening began with a fun tailgate party at the Mariposa Yacht Club, followed by a pre-game memorial tribute honoring law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty over the past few years throughout the Bay Area. Survivor families were escorted to the Park by a large contingent of Bay Area motorcycle officers, and lined the first and third base lines, where they watched a tribute to their loved ones on the jumbo iron. Thanks to all who came out to have a fun time and to honor our fallen heroes!

The U.S. Postal Service issued these wonderful First Responder stamps!

Congratulations to BALEAF's 2019 Officer Jon Cook Memorial Scholarship Award winner, Francesca Pharo! Francesca is a freshman at Colorado State University and is studying Animal Science. She is the daughter of Richard Griffin Pharo of the Napa Police Department. Congratulations also to BALEAF's 2019 Academic Award winners: Giana Zamagni, who is the daughter of Joseph A. Zamagni, Jr. of the San Francisco Police Department. Giana will be graduating from Mercy High School in J...une, and will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall to study Nursing. Miranda Doty, who is the daughter of Michael Doty, Assistant Sheriff of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Miranda will be graduating from Gilroy High School in June, and plans on attending Gavilan College this fall to study Sociology.

Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice - Police Week, May 11-17, 2019, at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. We will never forget you! (Special thanks to retired Officer Lynn Cronquist from the Minneapolis Police Department for the use of her photos!)

On May 2nd, BALEAF, along with the San Francisco Police Officers Association and the Chief's Office, hosted a Night of Remembrance at the San Francisco Police Department Headquarters, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forgot the 99 names of those on the Memorial Wall and will forever appreciate their sacrifice for the citizens of San Francisco!

Some of BALEAF's Board of Directors attended the San Francisco Police Activities League (SFPAL) 60th Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala on April 13th at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. One of those honored posthumously was Officer Richard Radetich, the brother of BALEAF's Past President, Jo-Ellen Radetich. It was an honor to be there.

Come and bring your family and join us for a fun afternoon tailgate party, and an exciting night of baseball between the Giants and the Mets during Law Enforcement Appreciation Night! A portion of the proceeds from the special ticket price will be split between BALEAF and the California Peace Officer's Memorial!

BALEAF is currently accepting online applications and written essays for our 2019 Memorial and Academic Scholarships! The application process will run from March 29, 2019 through 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2019. Scholarship winners will be announced on May 15, 2019. Please go to our website at www.baleaf.org and click on the Scholarship link for information on the scholarships being offered this year, who is eligible to apply for them, and the process for applying. Good luck, everyone, and please feel free to share this information with your law enforcement contacts throughout the 9 Bay Area Counties to help us get the word out about them.