Memorial

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 “Alex“ Valadez, Sr., Star #9534, aged 27 years, was a 3 year, 5 month, 27 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 7th District – Englewood.

On June 1, 2009, at 12:12 a.m., Officer Valadez and his partner, Police Officer Thomas Vargas, were working the first watch on beat 706C in plain clothes. The officers responded to a call of “Shots Fired,” gang members hiding guns in a red garage located at 6027 South Hermitage. As Officers Valadez and Vargas were questioning several individuals in front of the address, a vehicle drove up and Shawn Gaston, age 20, of 6235 South Paulina Street, opened fire. Officer Valadez was shot once in the leg and once in the head; the bullet pierced through Valadez’s left ear and lodged in his brain. Gaston then fled the scene making good his escape. Officer Valadez was transported to Stroger Hospital of Cook County by CFD Ambulance #49 and was pronounced dead by Dr. Segovia at 2:40 p.m. on June 1, 2009.

Following the incident several pieces of evidence against Shawn Gaston and Kevin Walker were collected. However the big break in the case came from an Illinois State Trooper, who, by chance, had stopped Gaston and Walker the day before the shooting in a 2007 Pontiac G6, the same car detectives believed was used in the shooting. Gaston and Walker were stopped for a seat belt violation and issued a moving violation. The Trooper’s in car camera also videotaped the traffic stop. Detectives tracked down the ticket and contacted the State Police to inquire about whether there was a tape recording. The State Police confirmed and turned over the tape to investigators. The Department’s Targeted Response Unit later recovered the car. Recovered inside were three guns including one in the trunk of the car that detectives believed was the murder weapon. A shell casing was also recovered in the car, which matched those found at the crime scene. Shawn Gaston and Kevin Walker were later arrested and in a statement, Gaston admitted he was the shooter and that Walker was the driver of the car. Gunshot residue tests were conducted on Harris’ hand and they came back positive, while Walker’s fingerprint was found on a .40 caliber gun also used in the crime.

In September 2011, Gaston was convicted of the murder and attempted murder of Officer Valadez. He was subsequently sentenced to 125 years in prison. On October 9, 2013, Harris was convicted of murder and attempted murder as well as the getaway driver in the shooting, Kevin Walker, age 25.

Officer Valadez was waked at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home located at 4727 West 103rd Street. His funeral mass was held at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church located at 8200 South Kostner Avenue. He was laid to rest on June 6, 2009 in Mount Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery, 4101 Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, Illinois.

Police Officer Alejandro “Alex“ Valadez, Sr., born February 1, 1982, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on December 5, 2005. He earned 1 Department Commendation and 22 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Valadez was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Latin American Police Association. He was survived by his expectant fiancée, Christina Rodriguez (CPD), age 33; parents: Margarita (nee Garcia) and Rogelio, Sr., age 74; siblings, Adrian (CPD), Brenda (CPD) and Wilda Garcia. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rogelio, Jr. On September 9, 2009, his fiancée gave birth to a baby boy, Alejandro Valadez, Jr.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #HR351507.

On July 13, 2010, the 2600 block of West 26th Street was dedicated as “Honorary Officer Alejandro Valadez Avenue.” One brown honorary street sign was erected. The sign was located on the Southwest corner of 26th Street and Homan Avenue in the heart of the Little Village community where Officer Valadez grew up.

Police Officer Eric Solorio, Star #13609, aged 26 years, was a 3 year, 5 month, 17 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Strategic Deployment: Unit 253 – Targeted Response Unit.

On January 17, 2006, at 10:47 p.m., Officer Solorio and his partner, Police Officer Maria Ramirez, were working the third watch on beat 4221E. While on patrol they witnessed a vehicle speeding. The officers pursued the vehicle Eastbound on Marquette Road from Halsted Street and attempted to pull it over. While in pursuit both vehicles passed a white car on the left. For unknown reasons, just after passing the white car, an unknown Chrysler came into the intersection from Southbound Union Avenue and headed Eastbound on Marquette Road. Officer Ramirez took evasive action to avoid a collision and swerved to the right. The squad car hit a patch of black ice and spun out of control traveling over the south curb of Marquette Road. The squad car then struck a tree and continued traveling until it struck the Alpha Missionary Baptist Church building located at 701 West Marquette Road before coming to rest. Officer Solorio was transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #36. Officer Ramirez was also transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #58.

Officer Solorio sustained severe trauma to his neck, back and internal injuries as a result of the crash. Once at the hospital it was determined that he would be permanently paralyzed from the chest down. He was only able to move his shoulders and arms. Officer Solorio would later undergo surgery for his spinal injury. After surgery he awoke and blew everyone in his hospital room kisses. Over the next month he would remain in the hospital and talk with the dozens of visitors who came to visit. Tragically, Officer Solorio would later develop breathing problems and internal bleeding which necessitated additional surgery. Due to complications he would succumb to his injuries and was pronounced dead by Dr. Salzman at 7:25 p.m. on February 12, 2006. Officer Ramirez sustained only minor injuries in the crash, was treated, and released from the hospital.

Officer Solorio was waked at Blake and Lamb Funeral Home located at 5800 West 63rd Street. His funeral mass was held at Holy Cross Church. He was laid to rest on February 16, 2006 in Resurrection Cemetery, 7201 Archer Avenue, Justice, Illinois.

Police Officer Eric Solorio, born July 21, 1979, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 26, 2002. He earned 10 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Solorio was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Latin American Police Association. He was survived by his mother, Amelia (nee Mendez), age 62; siblings: Richard Carillo, Richelle Romo and Rosa.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #HM130287.

In March 2006, a new satellite police station located under the Granville Red Line “EL“ stop was dedicated in Officer Solorio’s honor.

On September 7, 2006, Officer Solorio’s star was retired by Superintendent Philip J. Cline and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.

On September 1, 2010, In memory of his sacrifice the brand new Eric Solorio Academy High School located at 5400 South St. Louis Avenue was named in his honor and officially opened.

Sergeant Hector Anastacio Silva, Star #1760, aged 36 years, was an 11 year, 2 month, 0 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Operational Services – Patrol Division Special Functions Group: Unit 153 – Special Operations Section.

On September 30, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., Sergeant Hector Silva was participating in a Special Operations Section (SOS) physical agility test for the non-HBT chemical agent team at the Homan Square Facility located at 3340 West Fillmore Street. He sprinted two flights of stairs carrying sandbags weighing a total of 55 pounds, then sprinted 100 yards with no obstacles, completing the course in 53 seconds. The exercise was intended to simulate working in protective gear while dealing with chemical agents. After the course he walked into the SOS office and bumped into a file cabinet, striking his left knee, and sat down at a desk slumping forward. At this time Sergeant Silva indicated he was experiencing pain in the right side of his head and feeling dizzy. His speech was also slurred and officers in the office summoned an ambulance for him. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by CFD Ambulance #33. Once there he was admitted to the ICU and later underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. Tragically, Sergeant Silva died from an intracerebral hemorrhage during the surgery and was pronounced dead by Dr. Hernando at 11:15 a.m. on October 2, 2001.

Sergeant Silva was waked at Malec & Sons Funeral Home located at 6000 North Milwaukee Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Immaculate Conception Church located at 7211 West Talcott Avenue. He was laid to rest on October 6, 2001 in Maryhill Cemetery, 8600 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois. His grave is located in Section 22.

Sergeant Hector Anastacio Silva, born August 4, 1965, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on July 30, 1990 and was issued Star #9477. On June 16, 1970, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and issued Star #1760. He earned 1 Carter Harrison Medal, 1 Superintendent’s Award of Valor, 1 Democratic Convention Service Award, 54 Honorable Mentions and 3 Complimentary Letters during his career.

Sergeant Silva was a member of the Police Benevolent & Protective Association and Latin American Police Association. He was survived by his wife, Victoria (nee Salinas), age 37; children: Antonia Irene, age 12 and Miranda, age 7; parents: Anastasio and Carmen (nee Villarrubia) and siblings: Aracelis and Edwin (CPD).

In 2002 the Latin American Police Association, of which Sergeant Silva was an Executive Board member, renamed their Valor Award in his memory.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #G587119.

On May 24, 2005, Sergeant Silva’s star was retired by Superintendent Philip J. Cline and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.

Patrolman Donald Joseph Marquez, Sr., Star #8620, aged 47 years, was a 20 year, 1 month, 16 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 16th District – Jefferson Park and detailed to the Bureau of Operational Services: Unit 543 – Detached Services / City of Chicago Corporation Counsel’s Office.

On March 18, 2002, at 10:02 p.m., Officer Marquez and his partner, Patrolman Anthony Mejia, age 38, were on duty and tasked with serving arrest warrants for housing violations. The officers attempted to serve and arrest warrant on, Henry A. Wolk, age 77, who lived at 2451 North Avers Avenue. Wolk had 29 building code violations associated with his two story brown brick residence and was ordered to appear in housing court. He had been issued prior citations and had failed to appear in Housing Court six times to address the violations. In January of 2002, a Housing Court judge signed an order authorizing police to take Wolk into custody. Officer Marquez and his partner, wearing civilian clothes, arrived at Wolk’s doorstep. An upstairs neighbor agreed to help the officers persuade Wolk to open his door. The officers and the neighbor spoke to Wolk through the door for 10 minutes, but the conversation was “one-way.“ After many failed attempts, Officer Marquez along with other officers battered down the front door of the apartment. Wolk fired through the doorway the moment the door crashed down striking Marquez twice with a .22 caliber pistol. Marquez was not wearing his bulletproof vest. Marquez’s partner and Wolk’s neighbor ran up the stairs for cover after the initial gunshots. Wolk engaged officers in a shoot-out for 10 minutes, which blocked them from immediately reaching and rescuing Marquez. Several backup officers arrived shortly afterward and Officer John Forte was able to reach the fallen officer and pull him out of the line of fire during the shootout. Officer Marquez was then carried to a waiting ambulance. He was transported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #52 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Maltz at 12:25 a.m. on March 19, 2002. Wolk, who was holed up in his kitchen during the shootout, was shot to death by police. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by CFD Ambulance #10 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Grossman at 11:32 p.m. on March 18, 2002.

Officer Marquez was waked at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home located at 6150 North Cicero Avenue. His funeral mass was held at The Moody Church located at 1635 North LaSalle Street. He was laid to rest on March 22, 2002 in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 7201 Archer Avenue, Justice, Illinois.

Patrolman Donald Joseph Marquez, Sr., born April 10, 1954, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department in February 1, 1982. He earned 3 Department Commendations, 1 Unit Meritorious Award, 25 Honorable Mentions and 3 Complimentary letters during his career. Officer Marquez had previously served as a gang crimes investigator, a tactical officer in a unit nicknamed “The Wild Bunch,“ worked in the mass transit unit before he was detailed to the city’s Law Department, where he served subpoenas.

Officer Marquez was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Latin American Police Association. He was survived by his wife, Maria C. (nee Tijerina), age 48; children: Alana Michelle, age 17, Carla Marie, age 19, Donald Joseph, Jr., age 13, Maria Delia, age 28 and Vincent Joseph, age 22; parents: Daniel and Mar; siblings: Daniel, David, Dean, Dee and Donna and grandchildren.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #HH251081.

On June 20, 2002, Officer Marquez’s star was retired by Superintendent Terry G. Hillard and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.

On August 30, 2007, In memory of his heroic efforts the brand new Donald J. Marquez Charter School located at 2916 West 47th Street was named in his honor and officially opened.

Patrolman Irma C. Ruiz, Star #16823, aged 27 years, was an 11 year, 11 month, 4 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Ruiz graduated from the police academy on October 18, 1976 and was assigned to the Bureau of Investigative Services – Youth Division: Unit 074 – Area 4 Youth.

On September 22, 1988, at 10:15 a.m., Officer Ruiz and her partner, Patrolman Greg Jaglowski, were at Moses Montefiore School, 1300 South Ashland Avenue to pick up a student who had become a disciplinary problem when they were confronted by a mentally deranged gunman. The man had just shot four people, three fatally outside and at an auto parts store located across the street from the school. Officer Ruiz was shot and killed in the incident. Officer Jaglowski, despite being shot and seriously injured, managed to kill the assailant. Officers Ruiz and Jaglowski were credited with saving the lives of hundreds of young school children that day.

The incident began at 10:00 a.m. when Clemmie Henderson, age 40, A heavily armed gunman went into The Comet Auto Parts store at 1334 South Ashland Avenue and opened fire killing Robert Quinn, age 26, an employee and John Van Dyke, age 41, owner of the store. Henderson then left the store and walked to the Southeast corner of the Moses Montefiore School where he shot and killed Arthur Baker, age 34, a custodial worker at the school and wounded Laplose Chestnut, age 35, a city garbage collector. Henderson then entered the school through the front door located on Ashland Avenue where he observed Officers Ruiz and Jaglowski standing in front of the Guidance Counselors office a few yards into the school building. Henderson opened fire and Officer Ruiz was struck by a bullet that penetrated her heart and Officer Jaglowski was shot in the left thigh. Officer Jaglowski exited the school and went to his squad car to radio for help as Henderson went into an unoccupied room in the school to reload. Henderson then exited the school and was confronted by Officer Jaglowski on the sidewalk where both opened fire. Officer Jaglowski was shot again in the lower left leg and collapsed to the ground. As Office Jaglowski fell, he returned fire and struck Henderson in the upper abdomen and in the back. Henderson stumbled back into the school and collapsed a few feet from Officer Ruiz’s body. Officer Ruiz was transported to Cook County Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Henderson was also transported to Cook County Hospital where he died a few minutes after arriving. Officer Jaglowski was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was treated, released and eventually recovered from his wounds.

It is unknown what set Henderson off that day, but at 9:30 p.m. Henderson had gone to the Chicago Lumber and Construction Company at 1238 South Ashland Avenue looking for a job as an armed security guard. He was told that the owners weren’t there, so Henderson went to a car wash in the same building and sat on a makeshift sofa with his eyes closed for 15 minutes and then left. It was then that he got up without saying a word and went to the auto parts store and began the shooting rampage. Henderson had a history of mental illness and in January, 1973 was taken to Chicago Reed Mental Health Facility by Cook County Jail Officials for evaluation. Henderson had served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was taking medication for depression.

Officer Ruiz was waked at Blake-Lamb Lain Fern Funeral Home located at 1015 North Dearborn Street, her funeral mass was held at Christ the King Catholic Church located at 9235 South Hamilton Avenue and she was laid to rest on September 27, 1988 in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, 87th Street and Hamlin Avenue, Evergreen Park, Illinois. Her grave is located in Grave 3, Lot 9, Block 44, Section W.

Patrolman Irma C. Ruiz (nee Yañez), born February 17, 1948, received her Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 18, 1976. She graduated from the police academy on October 18, 1976 and earned 1 Department Commendation, 3 Honorable Mentions and 4 Complimentary Letters during her career.

Officer Ruiz was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Latin American Police Association and the St. Jude Police League. She was survived by her husband, Peter Richard, Sr., age 46; children: Irma Linda, age 16, John Luis, age 10, Peter Richard, Jr., age 17 and Phillip Ryan, age 8; mother, Lupita Yanez (nee Casanova) and siblings: Bonnie Castellano, Elaine Bustamente, Louis Bustamente, Rebecca Frederick, Rita Salinas and Willie Yanez. She was preceded in death by her father, Willie Yanez.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #K416110.

In December 1988, Officer Ruiz’s star was retired by Superintendent LeRoy Martin and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Ruiz’s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.

On January 12, 1990, in memory of her heroic efforts the brand new Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School located at 2410 South Leavitt Street was dedicated and named in her honor.

On October 19, 2018, in memory of her heroic efforts Walnut Park located at 3801 West 45th Street was renamed in her honor.