“Community support for law enforcement is nothing new. The support given by our members, their family, neighbors, friends, and the public in general to the Badge & Shield Club for our Weidner’s Chicken BBQ on May 4th was overwhelming. We sold out of 300 chicken dinners in 90 minutes! I have to apologize to

anyone who came later and couldn’t get a dinner. We are looking forward to our next fundraising Chicken BBQ on July 8th at the Hamburg Rod & Gun Club (3434 Hickox Rd, Hamburg, NY 14075). We also have our upcoming Meat Raffle on October 21st, so mark your calendars. Thank you to all the members who helped. And a special thank you to Stacy Flick for arranging her Fire Hall for us.

We have returned to a March date (2024) for our annual Retirement & Awards Dinner. Unlike previous years, the Club is not presently soliciting the public with a professional fundraiser. We need the fundraisers we are organizing to help finance the annual retirement and awards program. To give our dedicated public servants acknowledgement for the career and public service they have provided these many years is the right thing to do. It is the salient event our Club offers and as your president, I am grateful that we still have the ability to honor our own. If you know of a business or individual that would like recognition as the premier sponsor of our dinner, please reach out to them, identify your contact to me, and we will follow up.

Recently I came across a program for a Testimonial Dinner held on October 20, 1965, honoring then Sheriff B. John Tutuska. It was organized by local business people. A lot of the names may be familiar to some of you. It was held at the Glen Casino, a prime Williamsville venue in its day. Some of the chairs of the event were Walter Steffan, Mildren Campbell, Raymond Wardynski (meats), and Joseph Palanker (furs). Notables listed: Tom Ryan, the County Republican Chairman, Undersheriff Leo Kennedy, Charles Diebold, President of Western Savings Bank, Rev. Carl Burke, Champlain – Erie County Jail, and Miss Elayne J. Taylor, Coordinator of the “Tutuska-teers “. The Tutuska­ Teers were a group of young ladies, like cheerleaders, who traveled to political events, fundraisers, and parties. They sang and performed while introducing Sheriff Tutuska to those attending. They warmed up the audience, like an opening act, in anticipation of the Sheriff’s arrival. I’ve been told that many of the deputy’s wives, girlfriends, and maybe even wives-to-be were part of this entourage. They had their own song that started out: “B. John Tutuska is a dedicated man…” (when you see Sam Amato ask him to sing a few bars for you). The National Anthem was performed by the Business Representative, Painters District Council No.4 and the main address was given by the Vice-President of American Airlines, Harvey G. Foster. What an extravaganza! It is a prime example of how the community went all-out and supported law enforcement in the 1960’s.

Sir Robert Peel, the “Father of Modern Policing” established a police force in London, England in 1829. His famous quote: ‘The police are the people, and the people are the police”, embraces community and police working together, supporting each other, for a safe society. Community support for law enforcement is necessary for citizens to remain protected and free. Sadly, with over 200 mass shootings in the USA, as of May of 2023, there is no better time for us all to be involved and work towards a safer community for all our families.”

As mentioned, we are undertaking our own fund raising efforts for the Club. We are asking for your help in collecting gift cards and prizes to be raffled off at the Meat Raffle in October. These items do not have to exceed $5 to $10 in value. Some suggestions were made for these gift cards in the last newsletter

For more expensive items, enclosed is a letter signed by Chris Clark to be presented to businesses who may consider donating an item/gift certificate, etc. from their establishment. Please assure them that they will be recognized at the Meat Raffle.