D.A. Breen remembered as 'good man'

Friday's dedication of the Victor C. Breen 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office honored the memory of a dedicated prosecutor and civil servant while bringing a measure of peace and healing to the family.

"After 40 years it is healing to see the people of Tucumcari, friends and family here to honor our father," said Vicki Breen, daughter.

"The amazing thing," daughter Nancy Breen-Nunn said, "is after all these years everyone remembers our father as a honest and good man."

Victor C. Breen is the only New Mexico prosecutor killed in the line of duty. Breen, 55 at the time of his death, was shot and killed in his driveway on Dec. 1, 1971.

The shooter was identified later as Jose Rosendo Garcia, 45, who had been waiting in his car 300 feet across the street.

Breen had served as the 10th Judicial District Attorney proudly serving Quay, Harding and De Baca Counties for 20 years before his death, said Tim Rose, 10th Judicial District Attorney.

Rose said Victor was a more than just a prosecutor, but somebody who worked with the families to try to get them the help they needed. Rose said it was this type of work that introduced him to Garcia. Breen worked to help Garcia's family with Jose and his treatment for a mental disorder.

Rose said the family would tell Jose they would "call Victor" if he didn't take his medication or behave. He said Jose learned what this meant, as Victor worked with the family to get Jose the care he needed.

"It wasn't a traditional prosecution of Garcia that lead to Victor's death," Rose said. "It was Victor going out of his way to help families of Tucumcari, dealing with issues he did not have to deal with as a prosecutor."

Family, friends and current and retired area law enforcement officials were on hand for the dedication ceremony.

Among the former law enforcement were former Quay County Sheriff Francis Isler and Tucumcari Chief of Police J. Bronson Moore.

"I want to remember Victor the way I saw him, the day before he was murdered," Moore said. "We were all together after work having a drink; it wasn't frowned upon by the public like it is now."

Moore said Victor helped him to become qualified as a fingerprint analysis expert - something he never would have accomplished on his own.

"I truly appreciated what he did for me," Moore said.

A memorial was created in the lobby, designed by Interior designer Brenna Nunn-Smiley of Amarillo, Texas, who has ties to the Breen family.

"I was honored and excited when they asked me to be a part of this project," Smiley said. "I grew up in Tucumcari, I love promoting the community and this dedication is a boost to the community's morale."

Rose said the centerpiece of the memorial would be a bronze bust sculpture of Breen, crafted by local artist Bill Curry, who also is a former county commissioner and a friend of Breen.

"I want to thank the family and the county officials for selecting me to be the artist to create the bust of Victor," Curry said.

Curry said he was honored to work with the Nancy, Vicki and Smiley on the creation of the bust, as they provided family photos.

"Without those pictures," Curry said, "I could not have created the piece you all have seen today."

Curry said he and his wife knew the Breens as neighbors and friends and it gave him a sense of pride to make the bust.

Members of the family and friends spoke about their memories of Victor before the ribbon cutting including his son-in-law Ray Nunn.

"Victor had a great sense of humor, as a son-in-law I got the end of it several times," Ray said.

Ray said he remembers being at the prom when Victor walked up to him and took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket proclaiming, "Look what I found." He said Victor even prosecuted him at one time.

"There was an old hospital where Dunn Park is now located that was boarded up and some of us figured out how to get into the building," said Jeff Nunn, family friend, recalling a childhood memory. Eventually, Jeff's older brother found out about the building and had a party.

"The problem is, the building was just down the street from Victor's house," Jeff said. "Victor was even the prosecutor in the case."

Jeff said this is a nice honor for Victor, who was a good man who would make you feel good about yourself when you spoke to him.

Rose said he wanted to thank the county commissioners, county manager and the workers who donated money, provided the building and put so much work into making this dedication possible. He said since the idea began with Matt Montoya suggesting the dedication many people have given their time, money and sweat to make this happen.

"When I announced the idea to the staff, Frankie Gutierrez went to his office and returned with money wanting to be the first to donate to the cause," Rose said.