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Retirees’ Corner – May/June 2014

By Joyce Hubler
Detective (ret.)

Picnic

Retired Phoenix Police Chief Dennis Garrett with his prize
Retired Phoenix Police Chief Dennis Garrett with his prize

When I started the Retired Phoenix Police Officers and Dispatchers Facebook group, I was immediately struck by the emotion involved as old friends and partners reconnected after decades of not knowing what had happened to one another. I thought the idea of a picnic reunion would work … but I had no idea. Who could have guessed, since it was our first-ever reunion of retirees, that we would have 225 officers, dispatchers and family members show up to have a wonderful time? I have not heard from one person who did not enjoy themselves, and the only comment I have heard over and over after the picnic is “What date is our next reunion picnic?”

Andy Best with his prize
Andy Best with his prize

The raffle was wonderful and raised $2,206, which was donated to the Phoenix Police Museum. Some folks have stepped forward to volunteer to help with next year’s picnic and I am very grateful to them. Rob Asay, Nancy and Cave Golding, Steve and Wanda Proctor, and Fran Anatra all did a great job with the raffle, and we could use more help with that next year.

The grand prize winner was Peggy Millsap, who won the beautiful Colt .45 semi-automatic handgun donated by Dave Lane. Dennis Garrett won a bottle of Scotch, and Deb Byers Black won a beautiful gift basket. There were many winners, thanks to our generous contributors.

Retired Phoenix Lieutenant Mike Nikolin and the Phoenix Police Museum’s 1950 Ford police car
Retired Phoenix Lieutenant Mike Nikolin and the Phoenix Police Museum’s 1950 Ford police car

Andrew Best Sr. won a prize for the lowest officer’s serial number present, with 303, and his wife won for the lowest dispatcher’s “A” number present.

We’re looking at March 7, 2015, for the next picnic. Please contact me if you have a raffle item to donate or would like to volunteer to help.

Alan, Bruce and Arnie Stallman
Alan, Bruce and Arnie Stallman

A special thank-you goes out to the following contributors who donated prizes for the raffle:

  • Phoenix Police Museum
  • Association of Retired Phoenix Police Officers
  • Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
  • Arizona Highway Patrol Association
  • Dr. Kurt Von Rice
  • Wayne Stadler, Cartoons by Wayne
  • David Irvine Photography
  • John Thompson Photography
  • Fran Anatra, Frozen Fire Glass
  • Author Tony Boynton
  • David Lane
  • Andy Best Sr.
  • Ruthie Cooper
  • Steve Proctor
  • Greg Gibbons
  • Louie Martinez
  • Rich Brooks
  • Andy Baxter
  • Carroll Cooley
  • Rob Asay
  • Nancy Golding
  • Al Nordeen