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In Memory of Past NLPOA Members

Senior Corporal Victor Lozada-Tirado

Senior Corporal Victor Lozada-Tirado was killed in a motorcycle accident while providing a dignitary escort for a United States Senator who was a candidate for President.

The motorcade was traveling on Houston Street when Corporal Lozada-Tirado's motorcycle struck a curb and crashed. He was transported to Methodist Central Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Corporal Lozada-Tirado had served with the Dallas Police Department for 19 years. He was 49 years old and is survived by his wife, two boys and two girls. Senior Corporal Victor Lozada-Tirado was a NLPOA Grater Dallas Chapter Member.
 

Keith Dressel

February 21, 2007, Toledo Police Detective Keith Dressel was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a 15 year old. The detective approached the suspect during a drug deal and was shot by the suspect during a foot chase. Detective Keith Dressel was a 14 year veteran of the Toledo Police Department and was currently assigned to the narcotics vice unit.
Donations to the Keith Dressel memorial fund can be made at the Toledo Police Federal Credit Union branches at 525 N. Erie St. and 4280 Heatherdowns Blvd., and Toledo Fire Fighters Federal Credit Union, 2800 W. Laskey Road.

Cynthia Guerra Payan

October 29, 2006, Officer Cynthia Guerra Payan died as result of a motorcycle accident on the Ortega Hwy, California. Cynthia was the current Vice President of the Orange County Chapter. She was an Officer for Saddleback College Police Dept. Cynthia has a daughter and 11 year-old son. Cynthia will be deeply missed by her Chapter,  her Friends and her Family.

Jose Guillermo Argueta
February 25, 1974 ~ May 25, 2006

Detective Jose Guillermo Argueta passed away on 5-25-06 of Esophageal Cancer. After graduation from Kearns High School, Jose joined the Army as a Combat Medic. He was hired as a member of the Midvale Police Department in 1995. Jose completed assignments as a Patrol Officer, Solo Motor Officer, S.W.A.T. Officer, Narcotics Officer, Robbery-Homicide Detective and a member of JCAT (Joint Criminal Apprehension Team). In 2005, Jose was named Utah’s Latino Officer of the year. Jose is survived by his wife Erika, his parents and two brothers.

Jose’s cancer is suspected to have resulted from his narcotics assignment during which he helped close down numerous meth labs. Back in the day, narcotics officers were taught to waft the fumes towards their noses to determine their chemical nature. That was before HazMat was used in conjunction with meth lab shut-downs. Numerous former narcotics officers are suffering from medical maladies believed to be from their former involvement shutting down meth labs.

Our condolences to Jose’s wife, family, workmates and community members who will all be greatly affected by this loss.
 

Julian "Jay" Portillo

Jay Portillo passed away May 8, 2006, after a five month illness. We thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, he is at peace now. 
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to:

• HCC Education Foundation
  888 W. Santa Ana Boulevard, Suite 150
  Santa Ana, CA 92701

Sgt Henry Prendes

Sgt Henry Prendes was a 14 year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. He was shot at a residence, responding to a domestic violence call. After being shot with an assault rifle, was able to retreat and call for help. Henry died of his mortal wounds immediately thereafter. The suspect proceeded to fire more than 50 more rounds shooting and wounding a second officer. The second officer is hospitalized, sustaining several wounds. Henry has been an NLPOA Las Vegas Chapter member for the past 11 years. He is survived by his wife and two teenage daughters. May his family find justice in their hearts and peace in their souls.

May God Keep Each of You Safe!

Felipe A. Ortiz
National NLPOA President
nlpoanv@yahoo.com
(702) 355-8704

Paul Peter Comparan was born on June 30, 1942, in Riverside, California and passed away at his home in Sanger, California with his wife and family at his side, on Wednesday, January 26, 2005. Paul is survived by Maria, his wife of 42 years; their three children Paul Jr., daughters Estella and Linda and their spouses, including seven loving grandchildren who were the apple of his eyes. Paul greatly enjoyed the motorcycle rides he shared with his wife and close friends. In 1977 Paul served as President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, as well as serving as Fresno the NLPOA Chapter president for numerous terms. He retired from the California Highway Patrol after serving 21 years of dedicated service. Previously, Paul had served as police officer for the City of Delano and as deputy for the Fresno Sheriffs Department.


May he rest in peace, Amen.

Vicente Calderon, NLPOA Founder

John Galvez, a founding member of the NLPOA-Sacramento, CA Chapter
End of Watch January 21, 2005

 It is with great sadness that I must inform NLPOA members and friends of the passing of Mr. John Galvez. John passed away January 21, 2005. John was a founding member of the NLPOA-Sacramento Chapter, and he will be missed. Andy Cruz, past national president. Johnny Galvez passed away on January 21, 2005, after a long hard fought battle with cancer. Johnny is survived by his wife Gloria, a son Steven, a daughter Paula, and multiple grandchildren. Johnny is a former U.S. Marine who served in Korea and then as a reservist for 4 more years after he finished active duty. Johnny was a Supervising Agent for the California Youth Authority for 31 years and after retirement he assisted as a retired annuitant at CYA headquarters. Johnny was a long time member of the Sacramento Chapter of the N.L.P.O.A. and will be truly missed .He was a true N.L.P.O.A. supporter and brother. I am very proud to have known Johnny.

Steve Fajarda,
California State Executive Vice President

Services for John Galvez

Corrections Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez
California Institution for Men in Chino
End of Watch January 10, 2005

On January 10, 2005, Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, a member of the San Gabriel Valley chapter, Californian, died In the Line of Duty after he was attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times. Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, age 43, was a 16-year Department of Corrections veteran of the California Institution for Men in Chino. Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez is survived by his wife and five children.

Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez will be missed but never forgotten by the San Gabriel Valley Chapter

Memorial and Trust Fund Accounts for Correctional Officer Manuel Gonzalez

Manuel A. Gonzalez Children Fund
Bank of America 9930 Orr & Day Road Santa Fe Springs, CA 90607 Contact: Bank of America, Abby Barraza Phone: (562) 406-2308

Memorial Account of C/O Manuel Gonzalez
Golden One Credit Union (donations can be made at any branch in California) 15046 South Euclid Avenue Chino, CA 91710 Contact: CIM Victim Services Coordinator, M. Zulim Phone: (909) 917-6413 ext. 5542

Correctional Peace Officers Foundation
Accepting Donations in c/o Correctional Officer Manuel Gonzalez Contact: Barbara Burchfield, CPOF Phone: (916) 928-0061 or (800) 800-2763
 

Sergeant Edward Sandoval, of the California Highway Patrol
End of Watch November 4, 2004, at 11:35 p. m.

Sergeant Edward Sandoval founding board member of the East Los Angeles NLPOA Chapter. Ed fought a courageous battle with stomach cancer for 6 months, and God welcomed him into his kingdom on November 4, 2004, at 11:35 p.m. Ed passed on in his home surrounded by family and friends. Ed leaves behind his wife, Jeannine and two beautiful young daughters who are both in Elementary school. Unfortunately, Ed passed at the age of 49, just weeks short of his 50 birthday on January 14, 2005

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE “ED SANDOVAL MEMORIAL TRUST FUND, ACCOUNT #115633” AT THE FOLLOWING: CAHP CREDIT UNION, P. O. BOX 826, SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773, (800) 451-2247

Ms. Renee M. Orlando
End of Watch October 12, 2004
 Clark County Child Protective Services, NV
Las Vegas, Nevada

Ms. Orlando served as one of the founders and past NLPOA Clark County Las Vegas Chapter Board member. Ms. Orlando inspired many young law enforcement officers, who ultimately became commanders, supervisors and chiefs. Thank you for your friendship and leadership

Officer Isaac A. Espinoza, San Francisco Chapter
End of Watch - April 10, 2004

Letter for the Mother of Isaac to the people of San Francisco:

Isabella Espinoza, Isaac's four-year daughter.

Donations to the family's Educational Trust Fund can be made at:
Mission National Bank, 3060 16th Street, San Francisco CA 94103
Make checks payable to:
Isabella Espinoza Educational Trust Fund
(Account #0102195870)

Eduardo T. "Eddie" Medina
End of Watch - March 4, 2004

Gilbert Parra, East L.A. NLPOA Chapter
End of Watch - October 19, 2003

Gilbert Parra, 65; Detective Was Inspiration for Film Characters By Myrna Oliver, Times Staff Writer Gilbert Parra, the bigger-than-life Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide detective who inspired characters in motion pictures from "Freebie and the Bean" to "Mulholland Falls," has died. He was 65. Parra died Oct. 19 in Los Angeles of liver cancer, said his friend, Floyd Mutrux, a Hollywood producer, director and writer credited with producing the 1974 "Freebie" and creating the story for the 1996 "Mulholland Falls." "Gil was part of the tapestry of at least 10 different movies," Mutrux said Sunday. "He worked 23 hours a day. He loved being a cop." Mutrux said he first met Parra when the detective was on duty outside Hollywood's Whiskey a Go in 1970, soon befriended him, and infused him into the future San Francisco cop comedy "Freebie and the Bean." While most insiders viewed Parra as the inspiration for the character Freebie, played by actor James Caan, Mutrux said Parra actually was the prototype for both Freebie and for Bean, played by Alan Arkin. "The legendary characters were based on the 'good cop, bad cop' personality Sgt. Parra had perfected," Mutrux said. "There was Good Gil and Bad Gil. Gil had a huge heart and at the same time he could be an excellent cop." After growing up poor in San Pedro, the burly 6-foot, 2-inch Parra, who weighed 240 pounds, worked his way through USC, earning a master's degree. During his long Sheriff's Department career, he was assigned to the Watts riots of 1965, the Los Angeles riots of 1992, the Symbionese Liberation Army shootout in South Los Angeles after the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, the Hillside Strangler case, and several Hollywood homicide and vice cases. Parra also developed a successful second career as technical advisor on motion pictures and television movies and miniseries involving police work. He occasionally was cast in bit parts such as a swat team leader or other cop role. In the 1994 "There Goes My Baby," written and directed by Mutrux and starring Dermot Mulroney and Noah Wyle - more a coming-of-age film than a cop picture - Parra was cast as a police chief. Parra also worked as technical advisor for award-winning writer, director and producer Michael Mann on such projects as his 1989 television miniseries "Drug Wars," the 1989 television movie "L.A. Takedown" and related 1995 motion picture "Heat," starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Among Parra's other advisory credits on crime-related motion pictures were the 1986 "8 Million Ways to Die" starring Jeff Bridges, and "Mulholland Falls," which starred Nick Nolte. Mutrux said Parra also inspired characters in his screenplays for the 1992 "American Me," about the Mexican Mafia, and the 1993 "Blood In, Blood Out," also called "Bound by Honor," about Chicago gang life. Parra is survived by a son, Eric, a lieutenant with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, and a daughter, Stacy, who lives in New Zealand.

David Murguia, Wisconsin State President
End of Watch - August 2003

Long Time NLPOA Member Miguel Juarez
Chief of Police, Waukegan, Illinois
End of Watch - March 4, 2003
Chief Juarez, also a member of the Waukegan Unit School District board of education, was born July 25, 1952 in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. His family immigrated to El Paso, Texas, one year later.  At 16, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen and graduated from Coronado High School in 1971.   Chief Juarez enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in San Diego, Memphis, Tenn., Beaufort, S.C., Cherry Point, N.C., Iwakuni, Japan, and participated in NATO operations in Norway and Denmark.  Chief Juarez become a Waukegan police officer on November 14, 1979.  Chief  Juarez returned to school and in 1984 graduated from the College of Lake County with an Associate Degree. In 1999, he received his bachelor's degree from Columbia College of Missouri's. Chief Juarez was also a graduate of the 10-week intensive course at Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, where he was class preside nt in 1996.  

Miguel Juarez rose through the ranks of the Waukegan Police Department, beginning as a patrol officer and working in the SWAT team and detective bureau, and later as a supervisor and commander of the gang unit, major crimes scene unit and narcotics unit. He was appointed deputy police chief in 1993, and served as deputy chief of services and deputy chief of operations for eight years. Miguel Juarez was appointed chief of police in April 2001.

During his career in Waukegan, Miguel Juarez became the department's first Hispanic sergeant (1985), lieutenant (1990), deputy chief (1993) and police chief (2001). During Juarez's tenure as chief of police, crime rates in the city continued their decline, according to department statistics. Chief Miguel Juarez is survived by his wife Rosa, and their two children, Cassie and Michael. Chief Juarez has two other children from a previous marriage in Texas.

 
Officer Saul Martinez, California Highway Patrol
End of Watch - 1997

Officers Saul Martinez and James D. Rice, paired on graveyard shift, were investigating a vehicle parked on the shoulder of a road north of Palm Springs. An oncoming car, traveling more than 15 feet off the roadway, barreled down on the two officers. Martinez shoved his partner to safety, only to be struck and critically injured himself. The 39-year-old officer died eight days later without regaining consciousness. Martinez, a seven-year member of the Patrol, had just been named "Latino Peace Officer of the Year" for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in recognition of his outstanding service in "El Protector," a CHP traffic and safety program for the Latino community. Governor Pete Wilson posthumously presented him with the "Medal of Valor", the state's highest award, in recognition of his heroism. The Coachella Valley School District, in an unprecedented action, voted to name a new elementary school in his honor. Misdemeanor manslaughter charges were filed against the driver who struck and killed Officer Martinez.

Officer Ruben F. Rios, California Highway Patrol
End of Watch - 1996

Officer Reuben F. Rios was directing traffic as it left a concert at the Glen Helen Pavilion by Interstate 15 when an intoxicated motorist accelerating for a lane change struck Rios. The patrol officer was thrown onto the hood, then into the windshield and fell to the pavement with head and internal injuries. Fellow officers immediately rushed to Officer Rios' aid and he was transported by ambulance to the hospital, but died hours later. The 53-year-old patrol officer was a 22-year CHP veteran and had been assigned to the San Bernardino Area office since graduating from the Academy in 1974. The same day Officer Rios died, his son Reuben Jr. took the oral exam to enter the CHP. The driver of the vehicle that killed Officer Rios was charged with felony DUI and second-degree murder.

Officer Raul Elizondo also received the "NLPOA 1995 Officer of the Year Award"

North Las Vegas, Nevada Police Officer Raul Elizondo was killed at dawn Monday after a man wrestled the officer's gun away from him, shooting and killing Officer Raul Elizondo. The bullet that killed Officer Raul Elizondo, 27, tore between the seams of his bulletproof vest, leaving him with a fatal wound on the left side of his torso. Elizondo, who had about 90 minutes left on his shift, was taken to University Medical Center where he died at 6:25 a.m. .After Officer Elizondo was shot, he was able to radio for emergency assistance. Within seconds, seven officers were on the scene. Six of the assisting officers chased the gunman, while another officer stayed with Officer Elizondo until an ambulance arrived. The man fled, where he found himself trapped by a patrol car blocking his path on one side and officers closing in on foot on the other. The assailant came within two or three feet of the car and fired several shots, shattering the front windows on the driver and passenger sides. The assailant then walked about 20 yards away from the car and shot himself once in the head. He died immediately. In his memory, an elementary school in North Las Vegas, Nevada was named after Officer Raul Elizondo. The local chapter also grants college scholarships in the Officer Elizondo's name.

Officer Larry J. Jaramillo, California Highway Patrol
End of Watch - 1993

Officer Larry J. Jaramillo was returning to his Air Operations unit after completing a court appearance in Inyo County when his patrol car collided with a truck that was stopped in traffic near a construction site on U.S. Highway 395. The impact of the crash killed Jaramillo instantly. The 42-year-old officer was an eight-year member of the CHP and was selected in 1989 to serve as a fixed-wing aircraft pilot in Inland Division's Air Operations Unit. Officer Jaramillo was honored as the 1993 "Officer of the Year" by the Latino Peace Officers Association. He also received an award for his heroic rescue of two young men who were stranded. Officer Jaramillo is survived by his wife, Officer June Jaramillo (11901).
 

John Parraz, Association Co-Founder of the National Latino Peace Officers Association
End of Watch - March 31, 1979

Photo of John Parraz
John Parraz, passed away Saturday March 31, 1979. With his passing away there also passed on an extra ordinary human being. John was very much NLPOA and the Latino Peace Officers were there to give him "una buena despedida" to a very dear Carnal. John belonged to the community and his community responded like they responded for his awards ceremony con mucho amor. They gave him "La Despedida" with much love and respect.

John was a deputy Sheriff for Sacramento County. He gave more to his job and department then just eight hours, he gave himself. He was proud to be in law enforcement and had just been promoted to Sergeant. His fellow workers respected John and they along with his boss Sheriff Lowe were there to say their farewell. John loved his Mexican culture and lived it with a lot of gusto. Mariachis were there to give him their last good-buy in the way John lived, with gusto for life and his people.

John's family was also there missing and loving him. Their grief was made a little more bearable by the great outpouring of love expressed by everyone he touched. It's impossible to express what John meant to each of us individually. Few can doubt that he has left his impressions and ideas with us. We will continue with his ideas and dreams which is the way he would have wanted it. Yes, we should continue, but Carnal you will be missed.

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