~ Dedicated to those who have served with distinction ~

Founding President of LAPA

Joseph N. DeLopez, Sr.

1923 - 1997

Joseph N. DeLopez was born May 28, 1923, in Yurriria, Guanajuato, Mexico.

He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II and later became a Chicago Police Officer in 1957. During his career, he also served as a Federal Agent with the U.S. State Department's Agency for International Development and was stationed in Central America. Joe was also an active member of Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #7, when it began the long struggle to secure a contract for police officers. When the Latin American Police Association was founded in 1961, Joe was elected its first president.

Upon retirement in 1991, Joe remained active in his new community of Deming, New Mexico. He served as a District Commander of the New Mexico American Legion and was Chairman of the Luna County Democratic Party. Joseph DeLopez, Sr. passed away in Deming, New Mexico on March 20, 1997.

PATROLMAN ERIC SOLORIO

Star # 13609

- Chicago Police Department -

End of Watch: Sunday, 12 November 2006

Police Officer Eric Solorio died from injuries he received during a squad car accident during a vehicle pursuit.

On January 17, Officer Solorio was in the passenger seat as he and his partner spotted a car speeding near 67th and Union at 10:47 p.m. The officers initiated the pursuit while traveling east on 67th Street. Their squad car was cut off by another driver and they rammed into a tree and church building at 701 W. Marquette.

Officer Solorio was assigned to the Targeted Response Unit and served with the Chicago Police Department for 3.5 years. He is survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.

On September 7, 2006 Officer Solorio's star was retired by the Chicago Police Department.

SERGEANT HECTOR A. SILVA

Star # 1760

- Chicago Police Department -

End of Watch: Tuesday, 2 October 2001

Sergeant Hector Silva, and 11 year veteran, tragically died while participating in a special operations training exercise.

"Hector was the kind of man that always put his family first. Hector was more then a friend, If you were his friend he thought of and treated you as a brother. When Hector's final roll call bell was rung we not only lost a dedicated Police Officer that served the citizens of Chicago with honor and dignity. His family lost a loving and dedicated Son, Husband, and Father. Hector is truly a Hero in every sense of the word." - Joe Sangirardi

Sergeant Silva is survived by his wife, and two children.

PATROLMAN DONALD J. MARQUEZ

Star # 8620

- Chicago Police Department -

End of Watch: Tuesday, 18 March 2002

At about 10pm, on 18 March 2002, Marquez, 47, a 20-year veteran of the department, was attempting to serve a warrant to the owner of a building in the 25th district.  After several minutes of negotiations, the owner refused to leave his home.  Marquez began to make a forced entry into the apartment, he knocked down the door with a sledge hammer, and immediately after gaining entry Marquez was shot three times by the owner of the building.  He was shot with a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, he received two rounds to the chest and one to the head, he later succumbed to his injuries and died.

The building owner, Henry A. Wolk, 77, failed to appear in housing court after he was fined $14,500 in 2001 for 29 housing code violations, he was shot and killed in an ensuing gun battle.  

Officer Marquez, a graduate of Kelly High School where he played football, grew up in the back of the yards neighborhood and was a sheet-meal worker before joining the police department in 1982.  He was a gang crimes investigator, a tactical officer in a unit nicknamed "The Wild Bunch," worked in the mass transit unit and won numerous awards before he was detailed several months ago to the city's Law Department, where he served subpoenas and arrested those who ignored them.

In memory of his heroic efforts the brand new Donald J. Marquez Charter School was named in his honor.

Officer Marquez leaves behind a loving wife (Maria), four beautiful children, and one grandson.

PATROLMAN IRMA C. RUIZ

Star # 16823

- Chicago Police Department -

End of Watch: Thursday, 22 September 1988

Officer Ruiz was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious person call involving an emotionally disturbed person at the Montefiore Special Elementary School. Officer Ruiz and her partner, Greg Jaglowski, confronted a mentally deranged gunman after the man had already shot four people, three fatally at an auto parts store located across the street.

After wounding one officer, the gunman fired at Officer Ruiz. She was mortally wounded in the attack. Despite being wounded, Officer Ruiz's partner was able to return fire and kill the gunman. Officer Ruiz and her partner were credited with saving the lives of hundreds of young school children that day.

In memory of her heroic efforts the brand new  Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School was named in her honor.

Officer Ruiz is survived by her husband, daughter, and three sons.

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation