Supporting Reverend Al Valencia

A Pillar of the Union City Police Department Family

This GoFundMe campaign is being organized by Sergeant Brandon Hayward, Vice President of the Union City Police Officer Association, and Ian Hobson, President of the Union City Police Officer Association, on behalf of the Union City Police Department family. We are coordinating this effort to ensure transparency, legitimacy, and direct support for one of our own during a time of great need.

For more than 20 years, Reverend Al Valencia has faithfully served as the Chaplain for the Union City Police Department, standing beside our officers, staff, and community members during some of life’s most difficult moments. Time and again, Reverend Al has answered callouts at all hours to comfort families experiencing profound loss, guiding them through grief, tragedy, and the mortuary service process so that our officers could focus on their duties while knowing families were being cared for with compassion and dignity.

Reverend Al’s service extends far beyond emergency callouts. He has officiated department weddings and funerals, provided spiritual guidance and emotional support to our personnel during times of crisis, and represented the Union City Police Department at countless community and special events. He is also an active member of a coalition of Bay Area chaplains who support one another in providing these same critical services to neighboring cities and communities.

Most recently, Reverend Al served as a family liaison for our department following the loss of a young member of the department. His involvement during that heartbreaking time was irreplaceable. Even as he began experiencing the early effects of his own medical condition, he continued to serve selflessly, ensuring the family and department were supported with compassion and care.

Shortly thereafter, Reverend Al suffered a brain bleed and was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is currently recovering, but the road ahead will be long. While he does have medical insurance, it does not cover all medical expenses, and he will be unable to work for several weeks to months as he focuses on recovery.

Reverend Al and his wife, Elva, are valued and deeply respected members of the Union City Police Department family. Now, it is our turn to support them as Reverend Al has supported hundreds, if not thousands, of members of our community and department over the course of his service.

Funds raised through this campaign will help:

Offset significant out-of-pocket medical expenses

Assist with household and living costs during Reverend Al’s recovery

Ease financial stress so he can focus fully on healing

Any contribution, no matter the size, is sincerely appreciated and will make a meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please consider sharing this campaign and keeping Reverend Al and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of the Union City Police Department and Police Officer Association, thank you for supporting a man who has given so much of himself to others.

Thank you,

Ian Hobson and Sgt. Brandon Hayward