FOP 997 Home

Captain Edward Gilpin - LOD Memorial Wall Ceremony
Held in 1PP Memorial Hall Friday May 8, 2009. Photos are online here.

RECORD RUMORS NEWSLETTER
Our SPRING 2009 Record Rumors is available Pre-publication online here (opens in new window).
Our WINTER 2009 Record Rumors is available Pre-publication online here (opens in new window).

FLORIDA REUION CRUISE 2010
The Reunion Cruise for 2010 is scheduled for FEBRUARY 20 - 27, 2010 BOOK EARLY! Download the flyer here.

MEMBERSHIP & DUES NOTICE
IMPROVED BENEFITS FROM THE NYS FOP COMING SOON! INFORMATION TO FOLLOW: As reported in last Fall's edition of our newsletter, we have to announce a dues increase. The increase is precipitated by a raise by both the National and State FOP's and in based on increased operating costs. The raise is $5.00 in each category of membership. The form is in the newsletter and here: 2009 Membership Renewal Form. The new schedule is as follows:

Please download, print and complete the form, get your photo taken and the ID will be sent to you in the mail. See the forms and instructions for cost.

ELECTION MEETING
The Election Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 12:30 PM and the new Board is as follows:

President – Robert Nero
1st Vice President - Nicholas Capezza
2nd Vice President - Bruce Raheb
Secretary & NYS Trustee - Pasquale Cirincione
Treasurer - Laura Shechter
Director - James Ross
Director - Henry Lavan
Director – Zachary Slavin
Director - Gordon Nash
Membership Chairperson - Moe Leon
Recording Secretary - Pat Flatley
Special Advisor - Gilbert Prince
Counsel - Robert Goldman
Past President - Andrew Melillo

PHOTO ALBUM
The photo album is online here! Take a look - there are already over 600 great photos! Please send and email to us if you have photos that can be added. We'll scan the photos and send them back to you so they don't have to be digital photos. Every photo is important and appreciated. Let's build a photo record (past & present) for all to share and enjoy!

NYPD ACTIVELY RETIRED NOW OPEN!!!
NYPD, Housing & Transit retirees may now sign up online here.

RECORD RUMORS
The 2008 Fall Record Rumors is available online here.
The 2008 Spring Record Rumors is available online here.
The 2008 Winter Record Rumors is available online here.
The 2007 Spring Record Rumors is available online here.
The 2007 Fall Record Rumors is available online here.

Health & Welfare News
Nothing to report 10/2008.

Calling All Delegates!
Our Lodge has established a Delegate system. Our Lodge Delegates represent us in each Command/Borough, surrounding counties and other States. The primary mission of our Delegates is to increase membership of our lodge and to aid in our events, delivering organizational and operational support on many levels. Everyone interested should send an email to info@fop997.org. PLEASE - Volunteer. Plug your name in here.

Event Committee
Our Lodge is expanding our event planning. There are many things we can do - Comedy Night, a Night on Broadway, a quarterly borough event, etc. We need ideas and help - can you spare a few hours a month to help? Please - Volunteer. If interested please send an email to info@fop997.org.

New Years Wish
When a good man leaves “the job” and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he [she] knows what they are leaving behind, because we already know. We know for example that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his frame. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and, in his heart, still is.

These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from the life. You are only escaping “the job” and we are merely allowing you to leave “active” duty.

So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,” and you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known.

News & Info Section
Please visit our "News & Info" section where you'll find timely notices. HR 218 info may be found here.

Yahoo Group
Please join our Yahoo Group to receive and send Health and welfare notifications, PSA and Fraternal Organization Event notices, 10-13 Party notices and other information relevant to our membership. Time-sensitive News and Event submissions should always be made via the Yahoo Group.

***** Important Links On This Website *****

Click here for FAQs of Membership (benefit information, etc.)
Click here for a Membership Application (join our organization)
Please register at the FOP 997 Yahoo Group to join the Health & Welfare Rapid Notification email list (new Roll Call)
Original Roll Call (early member list)

The various features on the Lycos Site's Guest Book are available on via out Yahoo Group site and the Forums on this site - just click the links above. We will work to move all the pictures and other information from those sites to our new site here ASAP. Thanks for using this site and check back often. The original site remains archived here. The Lycos Guest Book can be accessed here.

***** PO Vito Chiaramonte's Killer is Still At-Large Help Find a Cop Killer click here *****

Photos of PO Vito Chiaramonte's funeral can be viewed here. May he rest in peace.

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Executive Board Message

Welcome to the website of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 997. We started the New York City Housing Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge because after the merge with the NYPD we realized that we were starting to lose contact with many of our old friends from "the job". Before the merge, whether we were still on "the job" or retired, we could meet at SOA, PBA or society functions; however, those days were now over. We wanted to do something to provide a venue for us to continue to meet, and at the same time, be able to offer our friends something that they could not get elsewhere. The camaraderie and feeling of family that we all shared as Housing Cops. Well, here we are.

We are one of the fastest growing lodges in NY State with over 500 members, both active and retired, residing in 20 states. We are committed to preserving the history and the legacy of the NYC Housing Police Department.

This site was created to allow you an alternative way to meet with and contact your former colleagues, make new friends, participate in our next luncheon, barbecue, boat ride or one of our many other social events. We will post meeting updates, contact information and photos on a regular basis.

The links on the side navigation bar and buttons at the top will take you to the various areas of this site and a links page to other sites.

Remember, we are still "Second to None". For a Membership Application, click here.

Our prayers go out to all the families of those missing and deceased, civilian and uniformed personnel alike who suffered in the WTC disaster. In an effort to assist the families of the uniformed personnel, the NYS FOP has started a WTC Police Disaster Relief fund. The information for donations can be found on the NYS FOP web site at NYSFOP.org. Our Lodge was the first Lodge to make a donation to the fund. In addition, the Grand Lodge of the FOP (the National) has provided a link on their web site to the NY site. Donations from FOP Lodges across the country have been pouring in - we are truly a brotherhood.

As one of our Members says when he ends his e-mails - STAY PROUD AND BE SAFE!!!!

Fraternally,

The 2008-2009 Lodge Executive Board

President – Robert Nero
1st Vice President - Nicholas Capezza
2nd Vice President - Bruce Raheb
Secretary & NYS Trustee - Pasquale Cirincione
Treasurer - Laura Shechter
Director - James Ross
Director - Henry Lavan
Director – Zachary Slavin
Director - Gordon Nash
Membership Chairperson - Moe Leon
Recording Secretary - Pat Flatley
Special Advisor - Gilbert Prince
Counsel - Robert Goldman
Past President - Andrew Melillo
Chaplain - Rabbi Leonard Blank
Chaplain - Msgr. Edward J Nolan
Chaplain - Msgr. Nicholas Sivillo
Web Master - Zachary Slavin