Priority One

The next stated meeting is January 15, 2012 at 5 p.m. Board elections for 1st Vice President, Sgt of Arms, and Chair of Trustee will be the main topic, followed with screening processes for County elected Officials.

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Hope to see all FOP 98 members at the annual Christmas Party Saturday, December 10.

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Due to the holiday season and many members out of town, November and December meetings have been cancelled. The next stated meeting is set for January 15, 2012.

E-Board elections are coming up and the lodge will start to accept nominations for 1st Vice President, Sgt of Arms, and Chair of Trustee in November.

Our "Back to School" Campaign came to an end. The lodge donated $1000's in school supplies to area schools, students, and teachers. This campaign was a huge sucess.

Union President Robert Lozano, member Gabriel Perkins, and several other members helped put together and drop off the supplies. BIG thanks to area businesses and Houston residents that helped participate.

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Click the link below for words from George Greanias, Metro CEO, concerning the Metro Budget.

If you are having trouble clicking the link, copy and paste the link in your hyperlink.

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July 23, 2011 Deadline for Amendments
Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws of the HOUSTON METRO FOP LODGE#98 will be submitted to the Secretary, who will present the amendment (s) to the Constitution and By-law Committee. The Constitution and By-law Committee will consider all proposed amendment (s) and will report to the Executive Board a recommendation for approval or rejection of the amendment (s). Any proposed amendment must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the election in September of any given year.

SWAINSON STANDS OUT IN WAHSINGTON D.C.!

A Houston Metro transit officer attending President Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington saved the life of a woman who fell in front of a Metrorail train, officials said.

A 68-year-old woman fell onto the tracks of an oncoming Metrorail train and couldn't move, officials said. When officer Eliot Swainson heard of the woman's conditions, he jumped on the tracks and tried to move her.

But when Swainson couldn't get the woman off the tracks as a train was nearing, he pulled the woman into the safety areas under the track platforms until the train could pass, officials said.

Once the train passed, emergency crews were called and the woman was lifted on to the tracks. She was transported to a local hospital to treat a dislocated shoulder.

Swainson was in Washington helping regulate the rails and had been trained on certain aspects of the Metro Rail System, including the locations of the safety areas, officials said.

Remembering Fallen Officer Tim Abernethy

Courtney Zubowski / 11 News
HOUSTON -- Prosecutors have charged 28-year-old Mabry Landor with capital murder for allegedly shooting and killing Officer Tim Abernethy on Sunday. Landor will be in court on Tuesday, but tonight, friends and family are remembering the fallen officer.

Officer Tim Abernethy had been with the Houston Police Department for 11 years. To some, Abernethy was known as a police officer. To others, he was a son, a father and a husband.
"We called him Timbo," said Officer Lance Gibson, from the Houston Police Department.
Abernethy was a fun-loving and dedicated colleague.
"It's going to hurt this department. It's something that I'll never forget," said Gibson.
Officer Lance Gibson spent the last nine years working with Abernethy.
"It was tough, and it still hasn't hit me. I wanted to see him because I did not believe it. He was a close friend and we were together all week. The last time I had seen him was Friday," said Gibson.

On Friday, Gibson said Abernethy was happy and laughing at their division Christmas party.
"We were joking like we usually do and everything was normal. We were talking about what we were going to do the following week," said Gibson.
But instead of laughter, so far this week, has been filled with tears.
“When we got the word yesterday, it was like a part of you was missing. Tim will be missed," said Sgt. Leo Boutte, Houston Police Department.
Sergeant Leo Boutte was Abernethy’s supervisor. He said he was a hard worker and dedicated to his job.
"He was out there working a hot spot location, which is a place where there were crime problems. He was there to address it. The people lost someone who was out there fighting for them," said Boutte.
Boutte also said Abernethy was a family man and proud of it.
"His family was his number one thing. He was always talking about his family. He was proud of his son in the Navy, and real proud of his daughter who is an A&M graduate," said Boutte.
He was also proud of what he did as a police officer. He was a man his colleagues said you wanted to follow because you always knew Tim Abernethy would steer you in the right direction.
A vigil for the fallen officer is planned for Tuesday night at 6:30 outside the Luxor Apartments.
Officer Abernethy's family, fellow officers and friends will lay him to rest friday morning at 11:00. The service will be held at the Champion Forest Baptist Church on Stuebner-Airline Road.
The funeral will be open to the public.

Priority One

HOUSTON METRO COP SAVES LIFE AT INAUGURATION!

Remembering Fallen Officer Tim Abernethy