PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
ANNOUNCEMENT: LIEUTENANT RUBEN LOPEZ RETIRES
Today Friday, May 29, 2009, Lower Valley Patrol Lieutenant Ruben Lopez will retire from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office after 31 years of service.
Lieutenant Lopez is a Master Peace Officer and was assigned to various sections throughout his career, most notably the Patrol Division & Criminal Investigation Division. The “LT” began his career with the Sheriff’s Office August 3, 1977. In his 31 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Lopez has accumulated a tremendous amount of Awards and letters of appreciation.
On Thursday, May 28, 2009- Personnel from the Patrol Division, Training Academy, SWAT, SAR, Homeland Security & Public Affairs attended a final farewell for Lt. Lopez at the Montana Station. Several FTO’s were also in attendance as it is well known Lt. Lopez was a strict but effective FTO Coordinator during his years in patrol. He set high standards for his FTO’s & expected nothing less from all Deputies upon completion of the FTO Program.
The men & women in “GRAY” are a reflection of his leadership.
“THANK LT. LOPEZ FOR YOUR SERVICE & CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY DURING YOUR 31 YEARS, YOU TRULY EXEMPLIFY OUR MOTTO- WE SERVE WITH PRIDE ”
BELOW: FROM from PATROL BUREAU COMMANDER FRANK ORTEZ
1977- On January 9th of this year, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in the Super Bowl, on January 17th; Gary Gilmore became the first person to be executed by firing squad since the re-introduction of the death penalty. On January 19th, the first and only recorded snowfall in history occurred in Miami Florida. On February 4th, Fleetwood Mac released their “Rumours” album. On April 14th, future actress Sarah Michelle Gellar is born. On May 25th, the film “Star Wars” opens in theaters. On June 26th, Elvis Presley performed his last concert. On July 24th, Led Zeppelin played their last ever U.S. concert. On August 10th, David Berkowitz is captured in Yonkers, New York, after over a year of murders in New York City as the Son of Sam. On September 7th, the United States agrees to cede the Panama Canal back to Panama. On September 13th, future musician Fiona Apple is born. On October 14th, the Atari 2600 game system is released. On October 18th, Reggie Jackson blasts 3 home runs to lead the New York Yankees to a World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 6. On November 22nd, British Airways inaugurates regular London to New York City supersonic Concorde service. On December 1st, the Nickelodeon Television Channel launches on cable television as The Pinwheel Network. This is the world that was when future Lieutenant Ruben Lopez began his career with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in 1977.
On May 31st, 2009, Lieutenant Ruben Lopez will officially retire bringing his long and illustrious 31 year career with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to a close. During his event filled career, Lt. Lopez has served in every division and in every capacity from his current rank of Lieutenant on down to Detention Officer. When Ruben Lopez reflects back on his career with a pang of wistfulness, he can do so with the knowledge that he has over his 31 year career, contributed more to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens that we serve, than most others can ever hope to. As Lieutenant Lopez now steps aside, he can do so knowing that he will always be present and a part of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in the memory of those of us who remain. It has been said “There is nothing more sad or more glorious than a generation changing hands.” In the bitter sweetness of his retirement and as one generation of lieutenant’s passes to the next, we at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office wish Lieutenant Ruben Lopez the best of luck in his future endeavors and bid him a fond adieu- COMMANDER FRANK ORTEZ
Of course we could not let Lt. Lopez leave without awarding him his last official DONUT as a “COP”. 
