Officer “Oreo” Remembered Thru Tournament…
By Chief Fred Maas

Several years ago when Officer Orestes “Oreo” Lorenzo was killed in a traffic accident, we as law enforcement officers made a promise to his family that we would never forget him or them. That promise has been kept each year since especially by his colleagues at the North Miami Beach Police Department. Even hurricanes and tropical storms would not deter this group of officers from keeping their promise by hosting the now annual and popular “Oreo” softball tournament to benefit the Lorenzo family.

On April 22 more than 20 teams gathered to participate in a tournament @ Brian Piccolo Park in Pembroke Pines. And of course, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Team was there in “full swing” to support this worthwhile cause and to keep our part of the promise to never forget one of our fallen colleagues. The emotions ran heavy and deep for all as the family members of Oreo were there to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Officer Lorenzo’s three young daughters, his widow, his mom and dad were all there to witness the love, the support and the memory of “Oreo.”

As far as the tournament, what a great time. All the hard work put forth by Alex Morales and his staff at North Miami Beach under the auspice of Chief Loizzo really paid off as the event was a huge success. In the end, a check will be presented to the Lorenzo family as a gesture of good will and remembrance.

Our team did very well, winning four games before we were eliminated and finishing 5th overall. But the success we enjoyed is measured by the overall camaraderie, sportsmanship, and unity we felt as a team, hanging out all day playing together, complete with a BBQ and lots of associated fun. I was very proud of everyone who participated from our agency and those who worked so hard to make it such a success. In the end, we raised one to “Oreo” vowing to always keep that promise. See you next year, same time, same tournament to remember!! Thanks Sunny Isles Beach Officers, it was real!!

A special note of thanks goes out to Officer Steve Brenton and Detective Orlando Sanchez who organized the efforts on behalf of our team.

Your Chief

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