Richard Tillman, younger brother of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, was taken into custody in San Jose, California, after a bizarre and destructive incident in the early hours of Sunday, July 20.
Police said that at approximately 3 a.m., Richard crashed his car into a U.S. post office on the 6500 block of Crown Boulevard, which instantly erupted into flames and engulfed the building.
NBC Bay Area said that Richard was live-streaming the crash on social media when it happened. Police officers found his vehicle on fire inside the facility when they arrived at the scene. Thankfully, there were no injuries.
Richard was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail. As of Sunday afternoon, official charges had not been made.
Richard Tillman is not only a national hero’s brother but a stand-up comedian, an actor, and a children’s book writer. He was thrust into the spotlight in 2004 when he gave an emotionally charged and rousing eulogy during his brother Pat’s memorial service, in which he candidly discussed Pat’s secular faith.
Pat Tillman: NFL Star Turned Army Ranger
Pat Tillman became a front-page news story when, in 2002, he walked away from his professional football playing career with the Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S. Army in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He was an Army Ranger who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2004, Pat was accidentally shot and killed during a friendly fire exchange in eastern Afghanistan, a fact only revealed after initial reports of enemy fire incorrectly stated. His memory lives on through many awards, such as the Silver Star and Purple Heart. The Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Award is now given in his honor.
