Retired Seattle Police Officers Association
 

Pension Office News | August 2016

NEW SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RETIREMENTS

There are no LEOFF I retirements and one Plan II retirement to report:

Dennis Sumida’s #4935 father was a Merchant Marine Seaman who took up agriculture work so he could be with his family. The family moved up and down the West Coast as he landed new jobs. So Dennis attended Franklin High, then transferred to Castle high in Oahu when his Dad got a job on the island. Dennis finished high school there while competing on the wrestling team.

Next Dennis moved to Reno, Nevada in 1976. He got a job in the casinos working his way up from restaurant worker to supervisor of electronic gambling machines. Four years later he joined the Army Reserves, MOS Military Police, to supplement his income. The next year, while still working in the casinos, he joined the Sparks Nevada Police Department’s Reserves. Due to his Army training, Dennis was volunteered as the department search and rescue liaison. During this time he met his wife Nancy, who also worked in the Del Webb Sahara Casino. After they got married, Dennis realized he needed a career with more stability, benefits and money. So he began to test with police departments across the nation. The two final choices he settled on were Los Angeles and Seattle. When he went to LA for a pre-orientation tour of its organization, he felt like he was just a widget – a replacement part. So he took a closer look at Seattle PD. He liked its atmosphere better and accepted Seattle’s offer of employment.

In 1985 he attended BLET at the Glacier Junior High campus. Three of his Academy mates were Tami McClincy #4905, Duane Hendrix #4933 and Dick Reed #4934. After graduation he did two student officer rotations each, in the North and South Precincts. One of his FTOs was Ann Martin #4579. When Dennis was assigned to his first permanent assignment, the Department, in its infinite wisdom, posted him 1st Watch West where he had never worked. He lasted three years on the shift. Then he transferred to 3rd West for two years.

In 1990 Seattle was the host and venue for the Goodwill Games. It was like a pregame for the Olympics. Traffic needed to expand for all the escorts for the outlying venues in Greater Seattle. Ann, who was on Solos at this time convinced Dennis to apply to Traffic. He did. While practicing for his transfer into traffic, Dennis took out a radar gun and worked Nickerson. He stopped a speeder by Seattle Pacific. The car came back stolen and the driver had warrants. When Dennis approached the suspect to cuff him he said, “you won’t shoot me”, then turned and ran over to the Ship Canal and dove in. Dennis notified Radio requesting fast backup of North cars to secure the canal’s other side and Harbor to respond. Then he gave updates of the suspect’s progress. About one third of the way across, he turned, smirking and giving Dennis the one finger salute. Then about half way over, the suspect turned around again, this time without a smirk or a finger, cried out for help. The cold water had got to him. Dennis notified the North units to slow down and Harbor to speed up. He then gave updates of the suspect’s drowning. After Harbor arrived, Dennis returned to the station to write up the paper. As he walked onto “G” Deck, Jon Pote #4257 said, “good job Coach.” Dennis asked, “Huh?” Jon replied, “You sounded like a swim coach describing the suspect’s initial progress and then his floundering. Then you sounded like a coxswain directing the Harbor boat.”

Dennis was accepted first to DWI squad, then to AM/PM enforcement, and finally Solos. Dennis retired with 30 years of service. Ann said he was a sharp student officer and proved it by leaving sooner than she.

Today, Dennis and Nancy are living on a five acre horse ranch in Fallon, Nevada, about sixty miles outside of Reno. Dennis is going to join the police reserves there so he can become involved in search and rescue again.


PENSION OFFICE NEWS

Attention Snow Birds
– get your winter address into the Pension Office. Call Stephanie at 206-386-1287 or email policepension@seattle.gov.

The results of the RAP Picnic are:
Bocce ball pair’s championship was shared between the Bouffiou’s, and John Guich and Clara Dempsey; John also won a bedroom nightlight shaped like a duck decoy (for insecure hunters.) Mrs. Magan catered the food – a good spread.

Still no progress to report on either the SPOG or SPMA contracts.

If you get hearing aids, be aware that some providers are asking you to sign a contract for any amount above your $7,000 limit. If you do, you are responsible for the balance. Be a wise consumer, get another provider’s quote or call Jan in the Pension Office at 206-386-1286.

If a medical or dental provider requests payment up front. Have the provider call Jan at 206-386-1286.

Your medical pays for prescribed services that are medically necessary, not for procedures that are convenient, elective, or cosmetic.