Yavapai County community dedicates memorial to fallen Sgt. Richard Lopez

Lacey Latch, Arizona Republic
·2 min read

PRESCOTT VALLEY — Almost exactly a year to the day that Yavapai County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard "R-Lo" Lopez was killed in the line of duty, members of his family, local law enforcement and the community gathered on Tuesday afternoon to dedicate a public memorial in his honor.

Now a permanent feature of Prescott Valley's Antelope Park, a large boulder adorned with a plaque dedicated to Lopez sits next to a new bench overlooking a bustling splash pad full of children. Just further down the hill is a freshly planted row of three young trees to signify Lopez's rank.

"Anybody who knew R-Lo knows that this is a pretty fitting tribute to him and he probably would rather be playing in the splash pad than standing here as part of this ceremony," Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said as he began his remarks.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Lopez was killed in the line of duty on June 28, 2022 while attempting to make an arrest in Cordes Lakes. It was the first on-duty death for the agency in 50 years.
Yavapai County Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Lopez was killed in the line of duty on June 28, 2022 while attempting to make an arrest in Cordes Lakes. It was the first on-duty death for the agency in 50 years.

"Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of an event that changed the fabric of this community as it's related to law enforcement forever," Rhodes said.

Lopez was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect in Cordes Lakes on June 28, 2022. He spent 14 years with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.

Remembering Richard Lopez: Hundreds attend memorial service for slain Yavapai County Sgt.

"From the day that this happened, I felt nothing but love and support from the community here in Yavapai County, across the state as well, for the men and women that are working to keep us safe every single day," Rhodes said.

"It's not just about Rick," he said. "It's about honoring the sacrifice that everybody makes that's involved in this business every single day. Not just them but their families as well."

The one-year anniversary of Lopez's death coincides with the 2nd annual Yavapai County Fallen Officers Memorial commemorative celebration, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Prescott Courthouse Plaza. Lopez will receive special recognition during the ceremony.

"It has been and will continue to be a loss felt deeply by our family and our community," Lopez's widow, Kymberli said.

"This memorial, like many other remembrances of Rick, stand as a testament to the community support for police and the respect for the job that they do for us every day," she said. "This is not a memorial for just my husband. This memorial is a peaceful place to reflect on our first responders and the sacrifice that they make for us every day."

Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial dedicated to fallen Sgt. Richard Lopez in Antelope Park