Officer Manny de Castro

“I know your Momma I know your poppa, what’s your name boy?” Standard opening line from Tampa most famous truancy officers, the late Manny de Castro. Manny was a regular at all the dances, working off duty, and all over town looking for kids who skipped school that day.

A huge heart, great human being who gave the police a kind reflection in our neighborhood. Manny was one of a kind, there could never be another, though many tried.

Manny passed away in the early 1970s.