Al Brown, who portrayed the sharp and menacing police commissioner Stan Valchek on HBO's hit series The Wire, passed away at the age of 83 on January 13 in Las Vegas. The actor had been battling Alzheimer's, according to his daughter, Jenny, who shared the news with TMZ. The announcement was also made on Brown's Facebook page, where fans and fellow actors mourned his loss.

Brown's journey into acting began later in life, following a 29-year career in the Air Force. He made his Hollywood debut in the 1990s, taking on minor roles in television shows like Homicide: Life on the Street and The F.B.I.

However, it was in 2002 that Brown achieved his breakthrough with the role of Stan Valchek in David Simon's critically acclaimed series, The Wire. Throughout all five seasons, Brown's character played a pivotal role in the gripping drama. In season 2, the story revolved around corruption at Baltimore's shipping docks and Valchek's feud with union boss Frank Sobotka, portrayed by Chris Bauer, over a stained glass window donation to a local church.

While The Wire had a multitude of intimidating and humorous characters, Al Brown's portrayal of Stan Valchek stood out as a fan favorite. His impeccable comedic timing and confident demeanor brought the character to life. Whether he was telling an officer to "shut up and play dumb" or boldly confronting city officials as "ratf---ers," Brown commanded every scene he appeared in.

To honor Al Brown's talent, we invite you to watch some of his best moments from The Wire. You can catch the series on HBO Max, where it is currently streaming.