Here's to an unsung hero

Darren "Reese" Talington wasn't looking to be a hero when he stopped into the A-1 Deli at Grove St. and Columbus Ave. on April 26, 2014. He just stopped into a store like we all do. He happened to walk into the store the same time a woman unknown to him came inside to shop. Little did Darren know at least two scumbags would end his life standing up to protect that same unknown woman:

Shortly after, a man who appeared to be drunk entered the store and hit the woman with a beer bottle, the store clerk said. Talington confronted the man and the two stepped outside, according to the store clerk.

After the two began fighting outside, another man approached and shot Talington several times, authorities said. A number of months passed before Sammy K. Mixson, 31, was charged with Talington's murder on Nov. 12, 2014.

Darren did not ask if it was the right thing to do, to protect a woman from a violent male. He acted. He acted like Johnny would (And Johnny has stepped into men hitting on women situations more than once, maybe he's just been lucky). He wasn't going to have it in his town and he did something about it. The very last act of his life he decided to be a forever hero. His memory will be lifted up during this weekend's Darren "Reese" Talington Classic basketball tournament and will begin at 10 a.m. at Bayside Park in Jersey City. Five games are scheduled to be played. The first game is at 10, then they go off at 11, noon etc. There will also be free health screenings.

Hopefully this can become a yearly event as we'd love Mr. Talington's heroic story be told at least once a year and that kids might learn that hitting women has no place in Jersey City and no place anywhere. Mr. Talington stood up for the Jersey CIty he wanted, let's stand for him this weekend.