Special to El Rrun-Rrun
In a police officer's day, it is not unusual that as they go about their way, he/she will face scenes of tragedy or numbing experiences that can change suddenly on any given day.
And if they happened to have been born and raised in Brownsville, they probably knew everyone they met on their beat.
Such a man was Roy Patrick "Pat" Tamayo who old timers will remember when he wore a Brownsville Police Department uniform walking the beat. He was a common sight when Brownsville was small enough that the local cops could easily recognize the good, the bad and the ugly of our city.
Such a man was Roy Patrick "Pat" Tamayo who old timers will remember when he wore a Brownsville Police Department uniform walking the beat. He was a common sight when Brownsville was small enough that the local cops could easily recognize the good, the bad and the ugly of our city.
Tamayo graduated from St. Joseph Academy and as a proud American, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. and served as a lieutenant of the BPD where he from where he retired after 30 years of active service. He was also a member and post commander of the John Hanson American Legion Post 43 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2035.
When he died in 2006 at 74, the city lost a long time retired police officer. But what many people do not know about Tamayo is that he had another passion.
When not swinging a police baton, he swung a baseball bat as a coach for the local American Legion baseball team from the 1950s up until the mid 1960s.
American Legion baseball can be traced to the summer of 1928 and perhaps earlier. Although Pat did not know it at the time, there were decades of coaches that came before him—but you can rest assured, none dedicated than he. As his former players can attest, he loved baseball.
His passion for being a peace officer overlapped to being a baseball coach with no noticeable departure. His dedication for the game was immeasurable.
In 1928, the local ALAC (American Legion Amateur Club) inaugurated a new diamond located just off the newly paved section of Jefferson Street at Palm Courts. It was here that city kids of then gathered to play America’s pastime.
It was at the “36” Diamond, on West St. Francis St., more than 70 years later, that Pat Tamayo, Marcelo Mann and Gus Vano continued the tradition of keeping American Legion baseball alive.
Pat Tamayo was a Korean War Veteran, an officer of the law and mentor to all of us us kids who were touched by his influence: he kept us on the diamond and out of the court room.
He gave his time, energy and commitment to this community, both as a police officer and coach. His mentoring within the diamond was always delivered with a spirit of encouragement.
But if our behavior deviated from the spirit of the game e could settle issues of disrespect, and cultivate peace by simply changing his tone of voice. For those of us that shared the dugout with him – we are so much better for it.
When not swinging a police baton, he swung a baseball bat as a coach for the local American Legion baseball team from the 1950s up until the mid 1960s.
American Legion baseball can be traced to the summer of 1928 and perhaps earlier. Although Pat did not know it at the time, there were decades of coaches that came before him—but you can rest assured, none dedicated than he. As his former players can attest, he loved baseball.
(At top right, Tamayo with Jack Compton, Billy Talianicich and a skinny Eddie Gonzalez.)
His passion for being a peace officer overlapped to being a baseball coach with no noticeable departure. His dedication for the game was immeasurable. In 1928, the local ALAC (American Legion Amateur Club) inaugurated a new diamond located just off the newly paved section of Jefferson Street at Palm Courts. It was here that city kids of then gathered to play America’s pastime.
It was at the “36” Diamond, on West St. Francis St., more than 70 years later, that Pat Tamayo, Marcelo Mann and Gus Vano continued the tradition of keeping American Legion baseball alive.
Pat Tamayo was a Korean War Veteran, an officer of the law and mentor to all of us us kids who were touched by his influence: he kept us on the diamond and out of the court room.
He gave his time, energy and commitment to this community, both as a police officer and coach. His mentoring within the diamond was always delivered with a spirit of encouragement.
But if our behavior deviated from the spirit of the game e could settle issues of disrespect, and cultivate peace by simply changing his tone of voice. For those of us that shared the dugout with him – we are so much better for it.
11 comments:
He was one of the good one RIP
We are a very small church which received a $20,800 federal loan/grant. We were already facing a substantial 2020 deficit when the coronavirus forced us to suspend live services. We have a part-time pastor, secretary and custodian. A small church is simply unable to reduce its most basic expenses such as staff salaries, benefits, utilities and insurance.
Most of our members fall into the low-to-moderate-income bracket, and while generous with their offerings, can only give so much. The loan, which we expect to become a grant, had a very positive impact on our ability to survive all the negatives brought on by the virus.
We do not believe that we got the grant because we overtly, or even subtly, support the administration; we just met the grant criteria, filled out the application and had a bank that was on the ball. We feel greatly blessed.
McHale has been rushed to the hospital!
Now spend it wisely not individually at July 30, 2020 at 8:52 AM
Pat was tough but kind hearted
Good cop... he knew the city and it’s people well
Pat also shot and killed some folks, in the line of duty of course.
On the line of duty ... I’m sure he was protecting his own life or the life of others ... was he convicted NO
Good to recognize some of my buddies and classmates in the second picture. Arnie Alvarez, Rene Torres, Orlando Medina, Tony Tamayo, Jr. Charlie Vaughn and Eddie Vaugh. Those were the good old days starting with the Little League and Pony League guided by great coaches who did it for the love of the game and the kids.
In the first photo: l to r ... pat, jack compton, Billy Taliancich and Eddie Gonzalez... he work was constable
He could out run any of us few cops could do that.
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