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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Archives 1995
Police deny improper reaction to 911 call
By MARI MALDONADO
Staff Writer
PECOS, Oct. 18, 1995 - Pecos Police Department officials
issued a formal response today to rumors that a 911
dispatcher acted improperly during the emergency call placed
by a boy as his mother was being murdered Friday night.
Pecos Police Department employee Laurie Orona was on duty at
the time of the 10:03 p.m. call on Friday by Adrian
Armendariz, who sought help while watching as his mother,
Irma Armendariz, was beaten to death by her live-in
boyfriend, Carlos Vasquez.
Vasquez was later arrested and charged with beating
Armendariz to death with a wooden baseball bat, just hours
after he had moved in with her at the Ash Street residence.
Vasquez is being held in Reeves County Jail on a $100,000
bond.
"We did review the 911 tapes last night," said Police
Captain David Montgomery, "and we feel she (Orona) acted . .
. properly."
Montgomery state that department officials were shocked by
the rumors which she said alleged Orona had asked the boy to
quit playing with the telephone and hang up.
"She never said get off the phone," Montgomery said, after
reviewing the tapes. He added that Orona immediately asked
for the boy's name and address, before sending units to 410
South Ash Street.
Police arrived one minute after the call was placed,
entering the residence and found Armendariz's body, along
with the alleged murder weapon on the living room floor.
Montgomery then said that the tape showed that Orona then
called for an ambulance unit.
"Everything was done properly," said Montgomery, who added
that the dispatcher deserves some type of recognition for
her quick efforts.
Montgomery said a female also placed 911 call about the
incident soon after the initial call by Adrian Armendariz.
Montgomery said that this call was probably made after
Armendariz's boys ran out of the home to get help.
Based on statements gathered from witnesses at the scene,
Montgomery said the boys immediately ran out of the house
after the first 911 call was made and tried to flag down
people to help their mother.
"People have to understand that these kids were terrified,"
said Montgomery. "Every time we have a homicide rumors will
be spread."
Meanwhile, a fund has been set up at Security State Bank to
help Armendariz's children, Eric, Adrian and Matthew.
The three are currently residing with their uncle, Herman
Armendariz, who said earlier this week he plans to seek
formal custody of the boys.
Family members said this morning they were not aware of the
rumor about the 911 call.
Balmorhea girl's Selena impression earns title
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
BALMORHEA, Oct. 18, 1995 - An 11-year-old Balmorhea girl
received a pleasant surprise this past weekend in Odessa in
a competition sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage of Odessa.
Tobi Gomez won a trophy during the event's Dia de la Raza
Cantada last weekend. "There were 33 of us competing for
this title," she said.
The judging was based on a 100 point system. Twenty-five
points were based on talent, 25 for costume, 25 for audience
cooperation and 25 for originality.
"They had 14 winners that had some of the highest points,
then they announced the winner that had received a total of
100 points," said Gomez.
"I was son excited when they said `Tobi Gomez,' that I just
cried with happiness," she said.
As part of her talent routine, Gomez impersonated the famous
Tejano music singer Selena that was killed in March of this
year.
"For talent I always impersonate Selena because she has
always been and always will be my idol," said Gomez, who
began competing in her home town of Balmorhea, where she
placed first in a local talent competition.
"One of my cousins was in Balmorhea at the time and she was
so impressed with my talent she had be try out for the
organization MAYO, Mexican American Youth Organization, and,
thankfully, I made it," said Gomez.
"My second performance was in Marfa, which is where I became
a member of MAYO," said Gomez.
She also performed at the Permian Basin Fair and during the
last week of September she traveled to Corpus Christi where
she had the opportunity to perform.
"I had the best time performing there," she said. "I wish
and pray that some day I will be at the right place at the
right time and someone will recognize my talent," said Gomez.
When asked about her future dreams, Gomez said, "I hope to
be famous like Selena. I know that I can never replace her,
and I don't want to replace her because no one ever will.
"She has just given me so much inspiration and I want to
keep giving to the public as she has," she added. "Whether I
make it as far as Selena did or not, I will continue to
perform, because I love to and I enjoy making people smile."
The young talented singer is the daughter of Carmela and
Johnny Gomez of Balmorhea.
"We're just very proud of her and will back her up in
everything she does," said Carmela.
Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 1998 by Pecos Enterprise
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Pecos Enterprise