Otto Vahldiek Tuesday, April 15, 2008 I am 62 years old and was just reminesing my life. You know, (Back in The Day).  I remember Inspector Vahldiek (That would be Otto) catching me (necking) in my boyfriends car. He told me to get myself home immediately.  And, man I ran straight to the porch.  He was so neat, but scared me because he and his wife MaryAnn,and sons lived straight across the street from us at 3216 Turner Drive.  Mary Ann later on gave me my wedding shower.  I was only 16 or 17.  My parents were Harry and Harriett Walker, both now deceased.  Every once in a while I drive down Turner Drive just to look.  What a change!!! I just now April 15th 2008 found this web site.  God Bless all officers that serve - I salute and honor all of you. This is a PS about Vahldiek.  I thought her name was Mary Ann but see now it is Mariana.  Where is Mariana now?  If possible I want to send her an e-mail.  Or send her a card or something.  If I'm 62, then she must be at least 82.  Let me know.  Thanks again, Rosemary Brennan Editor's Note:  Click here to send an e-mail to Rosemary

Walter Yargo Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Hello Everyone,  Wanted to give you an update.  It has been a long week, Walter as all of you know started a decline on Easter Sunday (the hospice people call it a transition period).  Well, Thursday evening- he sprung to life lucid at times and at times he was not.  Chris and I stayed up with him until,  2:30 am - he was wandering around the house- which not steady on his feet- makes it tough at times and talking and laughing. He would look at both of us and just crack up laughing!  We had some really good talks.  He also was telling us that he had seen - (Al) ....  his sister Marie- I asked him what they talked about and he said.... wouldn't you like to know, ha!   also, he said,  John Mendel- which was one of his dear friends,  that passed away a couple of weeks ago- was waiting for him to play cards.  He said,  he had spoke with Harold Jr (his cousin).  Also, he talked in detail about our little dog Harley, who died in January, he said he has been running all over the place today, and will not settle down, we need to build a fence for him.   The hospice folks tell us what Walter is  seeing  and saying is  very real- and that we need to really pay attention.    He had a great day the following day was up more and talking.  We had a good day evening with him on Saturday, March 29th until around 11:00pm,  he started to get violent hiccups that continued and would not stop, he was very agitated and delirious, I had called the hospice folks at least 5 times during the night, had given him all the medication,  I could and it was still not working, finally they sent a nurse out to the house  the following day and she did an assesment - she said he is a fighter- and that she did not know if,  she should send him to the impatient care unit,  in the Medical Center - since he is soooooo strong willed and was bound and determined that he was staying at home.  I really struggled with sending him as well!  The hiccups just continued to get worse and the nurse prayed about her decision and she told me,  I really feel that God is telling us to go ahead and have an ambulance pick him up and take him to the "Inpatient Hospice Care in the Medical Center.  Chris, Toni and Steve- Walters friend drove down to the Medical center with me, His room number is 219, Houston Hospice and the address is 1905 Holcombe Blvd, nice place parking is free and friends and family are free to come and go- not visiting hours.  I now know we,  made the right decision, the hiccups are still going on but not as bad, they  had to give Walt,  some very strong medication and he was in more pain then we knew.  Called the nurse early this morning and he was finally sleeping and doing better.  I am going to try and get some rest, I have not slept in several days.     I will send an update later tonight.  Sorry, for my grammar and run on sentences.  Please pass this e-mail on to the ones,  I do not have an e-mail address for at this moment.  I love all of you, Val

Letter of appreciation Saturday, March 1, 2008 My father Sgt. Reid A. Woodruff passed away Feb 23rd 2008. I am his surviving daughter, and I would like to post a Thankyou and deep appreciation to HPD and the retired police officers association for all their support and the way that they honored my father! Thankyou so very much. Carol Woodruff Jackson. Sgt. Reid A. Woodruff EOW Feb 23 1150 AM 2008.    Please tell me where to post this on the website. Thank you again and God Bless!

A Message of Faith Friday, February 22, 2008 I was looking thru the list of retired officers and spouses in need to medical attention and the need is large.  I can feel for the people who are dealing with loved ones with health issues.  I want to report that Elaine is home doing well and she has restarted chemo with her last sesson being on Tuesday, 2-19-08.  She seems to be holding her own.  With the list of people with health issues so great I can only say that each and every one is in our prayers and thoughts.  We hope this finds everyone in good spirit and keep the faith.  There is a higher being who is in control even though we don't always understand his ways.  Keep the faith and my GOD bless each and everyone of you and give you peace, comfort, and strength in your hours of need.  larryfoltz@academicplanet.com

Billie Farris Deceased Tuesday, January 1, 2008 My mother,Billie Farris, passed away on Sunday December 30, 2007. She was 87 yrs old. Message received by e-mail maryabel@sprintpc.com

Police History Friday, December 28, 2007 I responded to the inquiry from Mike Vance to offer my help.  This was a timely query as I have been knocking the idea around about trying to get police oral histories.  I also happened to know Mike.  For a number of years I have been a storyteller and occasionally a cowboy poet.  Being active in the storytelling community, I have been encouraged to expand my telling of police stories.  We should all applaud the efforts of our other writers, Nelson and that old Kopp guy, and this would be a great extension of their work to preserve our policing history.  As I recover from the holidays, I will try to set up some interviews.  It must be kept in mind that this info is for the general public’s consumption.  Mike Vance is with Houston Media Arts who are planning to give these interviews to Rice and the Houston Library as historical preservation projects.  Assuming I can rope some of y’all into recording sessions I will turn over copies to Mike and his folks.  I will also maintain copies for my own use and give copies to the subjects.  Perhaps, the police museum will be interested also.  Just to let you know who I am, I’m an alumni of class #75 and retired in 1997 to work in my family’s business.  My storytelling side line is highlighted in my website, www.TexasLegacies.com .  Most of my career was spent at Beechnut(the country club, ha), with a couple of years in Vice.  Certainly, all of you that are interested in gathering oral histories should contact Mike Vance.  Our first priorities should be to get some of our oldest retiree’s stories.  If you are interested in recording some of your police history, give me a holler.   Scott Bumgardner 713-981-0599 scott@texaslegacies.com

Thank You Letter Thursday, December 20, 2007 THANK YOU FROM THE SHELBURNE'S Well the end of 2007 is closing in on us -it has not been a good year for us. First excuse any missed spelled words  Ike was so surprised to get a  letter from all members, it did him a lot of good.  He read the names, some he knew and some not, but you must remember he retired in 1969.  He is now 83 years old I am following right behind him at 73 we have been married 53 years as of Aug 07. Back in Jan I almost lost him after all the bad illness.  He came thru doing great.  He had chf, then in Feb he had another chf . In all in the hospital 20 days his doctor said you are like a cat got 9 lives. H e came  home with 23 different pills he has dropped down to 16 pills a day.  Taken off of the 24 hours of oxygen a day, now on oxygen 12 hours at night when he is on his cpap machine he is doing good, just a few ups and down now and then. Then in March I had a subarachnord [aneurysms] hemorrhage.  I am very lucky to be alive. After my stay at memorial Herman on Fannin   I came home a few months  I started having trouble with my head after all the test it was found out by an osteoporosis and neurology doctors I had Carpal tunnel syndrome. and arthritis this past Friday, I had a biopsy-temporal arthritis of the head will have results back Friday so we have not had a good year as you can see just wanted to say thanks for the prayers e-mails and cards they meant so much to know someone down there still thinks of us.  So Merry Christmas and New Year hope to see you one day take care, Ike and Carolyn Sue Shelburne

Annual Gift Wrapping Party Monday, December 3, 2007 I would like to cordially invite any and all members to our annual Gift Wrapping Party for Navidad En El Barrio.  I am the founder of this organization and we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary.  We will be wraping over 10,000 gifts that will benefit 2,520 children.  It will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall A3 on December 14th, 2007 from 9 AM (unloading of 18 wheeler) to approximately 8 or 9 PM.  If you have any questions, please call me @ 832.689.4518 or visit our web site: www.navidadenelbarrio.org  Thanks, Season Greetings and See You There.

Mssg: For Cadet Class #36 Monday, December 3, 2007 HPD Class #36 Reunion HPD Class #36 will hold its 40 year reunion on December 15th. To that end. we are trying to locate several classmates. Anyone know the whereabouts of Bobby R. Franklin & John Ivy? Conrad Dippel   E-mail To: cdippel@comcast.net

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