Dedicated to the men and women of LAPA whom have served with distinction.
Joseph N. DeLopez, Sr.
Founding President of LAPA
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.
Police Officer Alejandro Valadez #9534
Chicago Police Department - 7th District
End of Watch: Monday, 1 June 2009
Officer Alejandro "Alex" Valadez was shot and killed while investigating reports of gunfire on South Hermitage Road shortly after
midnight. As he and his partner were questioning several residents a vehicle drove up and an occupant opened fire, striking Officer
Valadez once in the leg and once in the head.
He was transported to Stroger Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds later in the day.
Officer Valadez had served with the Department for three years, and had just become a member of LAPA in February of 2009. He is
survived by his parents, sister, brother, and fiance. His brother, sister, and fiance also serve with the Chicago Police Department.
Police Officer Eric Solorio #13609
Chicago Police Department - Unit 253: Targeted Response Unit
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 Silva #1760
Chicago Police Department - Unit 153: Special Operations Section
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.
Police Officer Donald J. Marquez #8620
Chicago Police Department - Unit 543: Detached Services
End of Watch: Tuesday, 18 March 2002
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.
Police Officer Irma Ruiz #16823
Chicago Police Department - 12th District
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.