Life Stories – Archive 03
This page is dedicated to the following New York City Police Council of Retired Guardians who have passed away:
| Ret. Lt. Jonathan Raines Ret. P.O. Berris Turnbull Ret. Det. Charles W. Curtis Ret. Det. Chris Jackson | Ret. Det. Devora Sconiers Ret. Hubert L. Alston Ret. Det. Sgt. Osceola Fletcher Ret. P.O. Clifton McKinnon |
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Ret. Lt. Jonathan Raines
Senate Resolution No. 2098 BY: Senator COMRIE MOURNING the death of Jonathan E. Raines, Esq., distinguished citizen, attorney and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Raines, Esq., a resident of Laurelton, Queens, New York, for 55 years, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the age of 81; and WHEREAS, He distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Raines’ commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, In his first career as a member of the New York City Police Department, Jonathan E. Raines patrolled the streets of Brooklyn in the early 1960s, diffusing gang activity and helping teens get involved in various after school activities; he went on to achieve the distinguished rank of Lieutenant; and WHEREAS, A graduate of New York Law School, Jonathan E. Raines would later serve the NYPD in their legal division as a Supervising Attorney; he also graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1977, and represented the NYPD as a consultant to various cities’ police departments; and WHEREAS, Retiring from the NYPD in 1982, Jonathan E. Raines continued to encourage young people to apply to the Police Department, and was an ongoing advocate for making the recruitment and testing process for admittance into the NYPD fairer for individuals of varying minority statuses; and WHEREAS, As a police retiree, he served as Chief of Security for Rochdale Village Cooperative; he also served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the New York City Housing Authority and was a lifelong member of the NAACP where he served as the Chairman of the Jamaica Branch of the organization’s Life Membership Committee; and WHEREAS, In his later years, Jonathan E. Raines could be found at the Robert Couche Senior Citizens Center, playing chess, Mambo dancing, and even providing legal guidance to members; and WHEREAS, A devoted member of his community, Jonathan E. Raines served as President of the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association of Queens County; he also served as the past 1st Vice Chairman of the Queens Hospital Center Community Board, 2nd Vice Chairman of Community Board No. 13 and Vice Chairman of Charles Drew Early Childhood Learning Center; and WHEREAS, of the many joys Jonathan E. Raines found in life, listening to jazz and rap music, going to concerts, playing chess, reading, and having fun with his grandchildren were of his favorites; and WHEREAS, Jonathan E. Raines is survived by his wife, Carole A. Raines; children, Jenyne, Jason and Stephanie Raines; sister, Barbara Turner; brothers, Alfonso and Gordon Raines, and five beloved grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Jonathan E. Raines leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Jonathan E. Raines, Esq.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Jonathan E. Raines, Esq.
Ret. P.O. Berris Turnbull
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Det. Charles W. Curtis
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Det. Chris Jackson
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Det. Devora Sconiers
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Hubert L. Alston
No additional information available at this time.
Ret. Det. Sgt. Osceola Fletcher
January 16, 1922-November 3, 2022
Renaissance Man and more …
Osceola “Ozzy” Louis Fletcher was born in Manhattan to Harold Fletcher and Harriet Mineola Fletcher. Ozzy was named after his grandfather, Osceola, a Blackfoot Indian of the Crow nation. His father died in 1925 as a result of a World War I poison gas attack.
At first, Ozzy grew up with his mother moving from borough to borough. However, when he was six years old and alone in his apartment, he caused a fire and was taken from his mother and placed in foster care. Despite his dire circumstances, he loved and excelled in school. He learned early that education was his ticket to a better life.
While pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the City College of NY in 1943, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Europe during the war, and his outfit arrived in Belfast, Ireland, ten days before D-Day. As he moved across Europe, he served in the Transportation Corps, the Engineer Corps, and the Military Police. In France, he was severely wounded twice. Once, shortly after D-Day, when he was bringing supplies from a barge up to the shores of Normandy and again when the truck he was in, delivering supplies and mail to the front, came under fire by the enemy.
It wasn’t until April 16, 2021, some 76 years later, after exhausting research and work, that the United States Army finally recognized him and was awarded the well-deserved Purple Heart Medal for his wounds sustained during World War II.
On February 17, 2022, the French government bestowed the Insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor upon Osceola Fletcher for his efforts and sacrifice in helping liberate France during World War II. Osceola was 100 years old when he received this honor.
Upon returning to the United States, he transferred from CCNY to Long Island University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1948. In 1947, he met Pauline Amy Chandler. They quickly fell in love and soon married at St. Philips Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, on October 16, 1948. That union brought forth five children – Lorraine, Malcom, Jacqueline, Andrea, and Andrew. They were married for an amazing 74 years.
Continuing his education, Ozzy enrolled in two Graduate schools at New York University and received two Master’ Degrees, one in Secondary Education and a second in American Literature, both in 1954.
Over 24 years, he served as a Patrolman, Detective, and Sergeant for the New York City Police Department. Ozzy was one of the founding members of the Guardians Association, an organization that supports the members of color on the force.
After retiring from the Police Force in 1972, as a Detective-Sergeant, Ozzy began a second career as a High School English teacher at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn. To mentor students, he became a student government coordinator and the school newspaper’s advisor.
Tireless in his desire to improve civic affairs in his Crown Heights neighborhood, he was elected to the Community School Board. Ozzy was past-President of the Brook-Boro Club, a civic organization founded
by the former Brooklyn Borough President Abe Stark, Past President of the Kings County Philanthropic Association, and Past President of the Board of Directors of Unity Hospital in Brooklyn, as well as many other civic organizations.
Osceola was very proud of being a member of the 100 Black Men, a 75-Year Lifetime Member of The American Legion Post 1059 in Brooklyn, and a Life Time Member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). He was also a Life Member of the Comus Club, for which he wrote a book on the club’s history titled Comus Chronicles: A Social History of Gentleman Survivors Of The Last Eight Decades.
In 1990 Osceola retired from teaching and then served as a member of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, where he worked with the Public Relations Department as a Community Liaison and the Senior Citizen Bureau as a counselor.
In 2009, he was presented with the “Sloan Public Service Award” for his commitment far beyond the call of duty. They said, and I quote, “He is a renaissance man and an American hero. At 87, he continues working for all the right reasons: to improve the lives of others. Fletcher – he is the person you always want in your corner.” Ozzy always looked to give people a leg up! Many people can say that Osceola Fletcher helped them get their job or aided them in their careers. He retired in 2014 at the age of 92.
He loved books! They were all over the house, filling every crevice. He also collected police hats and patches from his travels in the United States and abroad. In addition, Ozzy was a Civil War Round Table National Historical Society member and had two poems published in the Annual Collegiate Poetry Review. Osceola was a student of the world and enjoyed scholarly challenge and exchange! People loved to listen to his stories of days gone by. He was like a walking, talking history book.
Above all, Ozzy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Always expecting the best from his children, he wasn’t one to easily dole out compliments, but his children would hear from people how he recounted things they had done and how very proud he was of his children. Ozzy’s family was the light of his life.
Ozzy died peacefully in his sleep on November 3, 2022. He was predeceased by his son, Malcom, and leaves to tend his legacy; daughters Lorraine Fletcher (Willie McArthur), Jacqueline Streets (Kerry), and Andrea Fletcher; his son Andrew Fletcher (Deborah); Grandchildren Quentin Streets (Kira) Sydney Gibson (Nathaniel) Morgan Fletcher, Malcom Fletcher, Isabel Fletcher, Aaron Fletcher, and Ava Fletcher; Great grandchildren Margot Streets, Georgina Streets, Wells Gibson, and Ames Gibson and a host of extended family and friends.
Ret. P.O. Clifton McKinnon
No additional information available at this time.