The WIDOWS & ORPHANS AID ASSOCIATION OF THE POLICE DEPT OF (WOAA) is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California, established to provide financial support to the families of deceased San Francisco Police Department officers. Founded in 1878, it is one of the oldest police benevolent associations in the United States. The organization operates by collecting membership dues from active police officers and managing a trust fund to provide death benefits to beneficiaries of deceased members. The association’s primary mission is to ensure financial assistance to surviving spouses and dependent children of police officers who have passed away, regardless of whether the death occurred in the line of duty or through natural causes. Members contribute regular dues throughout their service, which helps maintain the organization’s ability to provide substantial death benefits. WOAA is governed by a board of trustees composed of active and retired San Francisco police officers who volunteer their time to manage the organization’s affairs. The association maintains strict membership requirements and operates independently from the San Francisco Police Department, though it exclusively serves SFPD officers and their families. The organization continues to play a vital role in providing financial security to police families in their time of need.