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James 'Pat' Winn, Retired Darien Police Lieutenant, Dies at 73

DARIEN, Conn. -- James “Pat” Winn, a longtime member of the Darien Police Department, died Monday, July 20, at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., after a long illness. He was 73.

Retired Darien police Lt. James "Pat" Winn died Monday, July 20, in Vallhalla, N.Y., after a long struggle with health problems. He was 73.

Retired Darien police Lt. James "Pat" Winn died Monday, July 20, in Vallhalla, N.Y., after a long struggle with health problems. He was 73.

Photo Credit: Darien Police Department

Winn was born in Stamford on Oct. 24, 1941, to James and Elizabeth Winn.

According to the Police Department, Winn was appointed in 1970, becoming the first African-American police officer in its history. .

He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Iona College in 1976 and was promoted to sergeant in 1980 and then to lieutenant in 1983. He retired in 2000.

Winn wore many hats during his tenure: training officer, youth officer, Explorer advisor, shooting team member, firearms instructor, and SWAT operator, the police department said.

A standout athlete, Winn received awards in high school for achievements in baseball, football, track, and swimming. He was a member of the 1957 Stamford Police Babe Ruth team, a team that won the Connecticut State Championship, the New England States Championship, and the Regional Championship.

According to the police department, Winn was the recipient of the Richard Dorion Memorial Trophy in 1957 as the outstanding junior on the Stamford High Varsity football team, where he played tackle. He was captain of the 1959 Stamford High State Champion football team. When Winn wasn’t playing, he was umpiring or coaching, it said.

Winn was “a good man, a good friend, and a good police officer,” Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello said on Monday.

Winn is survived by his son, retired Darien police Sgt. Kane Winn; daughter-in-law, Susan; grandson, Carsen; granddaughter, Olivia; daughter, Tracy; and a brother, Thomas. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Dolores Burgess.

He was predeceased by his wife, Carseina, his sister, Barbara Schmidt; and his brother Ralph “Butchie” Winn. 

Arrangements had not been finalized as of Monday.  

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