Officer Cecilio Flores
National Latino Peace Officers Association
2006 Officer of the Year Recipient

Officer Flores joined the San Diego City Schools Police in 1995. He began his service as a Community Service Officer and was hired as a sworn officer in 2000. In 2005, he was promoted to Campus Police Officer. Officer Flores has been a member of the San Diego County Chapter of the NLPOA since 2002.
On February 17, 2005, Officer Flores and a Community Service Officer noticed smoke coming from an apartment window. Officer Flores pulled his patrol car over, radioed dispatch, and approached the complex on foot. Officer Flores went to the apartment and began to knock and yell. A disoriented 22-year-old male finally opened the door. Officer Flores entered the smoke filled apartment to assist the 22-year-old and saw the silhouette of another person standing in the kitchen. Officer Flores moved the 22-year-old to a safe area, returned to remove the second person from the kitchen, as the flames quickly spread. After moving the second person, an 18-year-old male with Down’s Syndrome, to a safe area, Officer Flores reentered the burning apartment a third time to assure no one else was inside. Officer Flores and his partner were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. The 22-year-old was treated by paramedics at the scene. The 18-year-old was transported to a hospital for treatment of minor burns to his head and arms. The 22-year-old said he had fallen asleep while taking care of his brother and the loud knocking had awakened him.

Officer Flores’ courage and quick actions undoubtedly saved two young lives. Officer Flores courage and Service reflect admirably upon himself, the San Diego City Schools Police, and the National Latino Peace Officer’s Association.

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