Adrian Lopez Sr.

White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Officer Adrian Lopez Sr., was shot and killed and another officer was injured during a traffic stop on the Fort Apache Indian reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona. Officer Lopez had stopped a vehicle and an altercation ensued. The suspect shot and killed him and then stole his marked patrol vehicle and began a high speed 40 mile chase through rugged terrain, engaging in a rolling gun battle with pursuing officers. The police vehicle crashed into a tree and another gun battle began, injuring Sgt. Lonnie Thompson. The suspect was shot and killed during the gun battle. Officer Lopez was killed on June 2, 2022 and was 35 years old.

Lopez was born in Los Angeles, California, and was raised there until the family moved to South Gate when he was a teenager. He grew up in a very traditional Mexican family. His mom cooked their favorite Mexican dishes and his Dad was always there to help him. He was the youngest of three children, born 16 years apart from his two older siblings. He was close in age with his nephews and they grew up as brothers. Lopez was very high spirited, very charismatic and challenged himself in sports and life in general. He played baseball, basketball and enjoyed boxing at the gym. He made friends everywhere he went, and loved to tell jokes. He was a cadet in the high school ROTC program. Lopez joined the U.S. Army in 2005 and served his country with pride. He graduated from the Police Academy in 2019 in Los Angeles, and went on to attend the U.S. Indian Police Academy in New Mexico, fulfilling his dream of becoming a police officer. In 2021, he joined the Wind River Indian Reservation PD in Crowheart, Wyoming and then transferred to the White Mountain Apache PD a year later. His goal was to transfer again back home to Los Angeles. He wanted to serve his country during the Iraq war, for which he received a medal. He also wanted to serve his community by becoming a police officer.

Lopez met his future wife, Laushana, when she drove him and her younger brother to the Army recruitment center. She knew he liked her immediately, and he said he would find her again when he returned from the Army. Seven years later, after a marriage and a child, he reached out to her on social media. They dated and married a year later. They had a daughter together, Maylee, and Lopez had a son from his first marriage, Adrian Jacob. Lopez loved his family with all his heart and did everything to provide them with the tools they needed to succeed, in school and in life. He will be remembered for overcoming obstacles to achieve his goals. He did it with faith, determination, and love for all.

Police Officer Adrian Lopez Sr. is survived by his loving wife, Laushana, children, Adrian and Maylee, and many other cherished family members.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Lopez family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.