PPOA Week in Review

Helping Members Prepare for Retirement

November 1: PPOA was honored to assemble a panel of experts last Saturday for our third retirement planning workshop of the year. These informative events in the union conference center are designed for PPOA members interested in setting themselves up for a healthy, well-planned retirement.

We are thankful to the following individuals and organizations for sharing their insight:

LACERA
Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherwin & Lee (workers' compensation law firm)
Empower/Horizons
Shawn Kehoe, LASD Commander/LACERA Board of Retirement
Dr. Medina Baumgart
Fraternal Order of Police (retired law enforcement concealed carry coverage)
United Estate Planning
PPOA Board Member/Retiree Representative Jim Schallert

If you are a PPOA member planning to retire in the next few years, please check upcoming Week in Review emails and Star & Shield magazine for details on the next workshop.

PPOA Legislative Committee Meeting

November 4: PPOA hosted a video conference with our Sacramento legislative representatives — Lang, Hansen, Giroux and Kidane — to discuss updates on bills in the 2025-2026 legislative session that potentially impact PPOA members and public safety employees throughout California.

Meeting participants from PPOA included President Steve Johnson, 1st Vice President Jay Chapman, and Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr.

More Than 100 Friends Gather for 21st Annual PPOA Retiree Luncheon

November 5: PPOA was proud to host our 21st Annual Retiree Luncheon on Wednesday at the Sheraton Fairplex. President Steve Johnson served as master of ceremonies and was particularly honored to offer special acknowledgement to the many military veterans in attendance. Board Member Rob Weber, Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. and union staff were also on hand to enjoy a memorable afternoon with more than 100 retirees in attendance.

Click here to view the full photo album from the event.

California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations Meeting

November 6: PPOA Executive Director Wayne Quint Jr. joined fellow members of the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations (CCLEA) for a meeting to discuss issues impacting public safety employees around the state. This meeting was hosted by the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

CCLEA is the state’s largest law enforcement organization, representing more than 40 law enforcement associations and 150,000 peace officers. For more information, visit CCLEA.ORG

Supporting Worthy Causes

November 6: PPOA sent an email to active, full-dues paying members of this Association on Thursday to invite them to fill a PPOA foursome at a golf tournament scheduled for this week in Whittier. Proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics Southern California. These four golfer spots have since been claimed but we encourage you to monitor your personal email account for additional invitations from PPOA in the future.

Police Unity Tour Meeting

November 6: Police Unity Tour participants and support crew members met at ALADS on Thursday to discuss logistics for the 3-day bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington DC, scheduled for May 2026. The mission of this annual ride is to acknowledge fallen officers while raising funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Board Member Rob Weber and staff member Greg Torres represented PPOA at the meeting and were honored to be presented with a custom-framed Police Unity Tour jersey as acknowledgement of the union's dedication to families of fallen officers and our ongoing support for this noble event.

PPOA and ALADS once again expect to sponsor approximately 100 members participating in the 2026 tour. Support team representatives from both unions will be embedded with the riders to ensure the event moves forward as safely and smoothly as possible for all involved.

PPOA Members End of Watch Tribute

We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the following PPOA who passed in August 2025:

Retired Sergeant Jon Olesen — 8/1/25

LASD 1970-1998

Academy class #143

Last assignment: Court Services West

US Army veteran

Retired Sergeant Joel Johnsonbaugh — 8/14/25

LASD 1970-2003

Academy class #141

Last assignment: TST

US Navy veteran

Retired Sergeant George Palmer — 8/16/25

LASD 1959-1987

Academy class #79

Last assignment: East LA Station

US Air Force Reserves veteran

Retired Sergeant Earl Gunnerson — 8/21/25

LASD 1971-1987

Academy class #151

Last assignment: Temple Station

US Army veteran

Retired Sergeant Samuel E.J. Olmstead — 8/28/25

LASD 1959-1992

Last assignment: Malibu/Lost Hills Station

US Marine Corps veteran

Retired LADA Lieutenant William “Bill” Cox — 8/29/25

LASD 1955-1966

Academy class #85

LADA 1966-1988

US Army veteran

Fraternal Order of Police News Update

PPOA members have long benefitted from our affiliation with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of law enforcement officers, with more than 374,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges nationwide. All active PPOA members are part of California FOP Lodge 1.

Important update re: FOP membership for retired PPOA members

When a sworn PPOA member retires and wishes to reactivate his/her FOP member benefits, the following step must be taken: To reactivate your membership as a retired peace officer, you will need to pay FOP annual dues of $44 for 2025. To do so, please send an email to the FOP Lodge 1 Secretary at wmwestermann@sbcglobal.net

Please make it a point to check out Washington Watch — a weekly news update provided by the National FOP. We encourage PPOA members to stay up to date on the legislative news and activity impacting public safety personnel nationwide.

Click here to read this week's Washington Watch.