Last week, members of the Tucson Police Officers Association had the honor of attending National Police Week in Washington, D.C. This yearly event reminds us of the brave men and women in law enforcement who have given their lives in the line of duty. This year was especially meaningful for us, as two names from the Tucson Police Department were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Standing there with their families, friends, and officers from across the country was both moving and humbling. Sending our union members to represent Tucson was not just important—it was a way to show respect, keep their memory alive, and remind everyone of the risks our officers face every day. We will always support those who serve and protect, and we will never forget those who gave everything. (fb)

🚨 Statement from the Tucson Police Officers Association 🚨 On the morning of May 6, 2025, a uniformed Tucson Police officer was seriously injured while protecting our community. The suspect, 38-year-old Richard Rene Lopez, has numerous contacts with police. He violently assaulted both a store employee and a Tucson Police officer before resisting arrest. That same officer, a 9-year veteran of our department, was transported to the hospital for treatment and remains under medical care following the attack by Lopez. We are deeply disappointed and seriously concerned that the bond was set at just $200,000, an amount that does not reflect the severity of this violent assault or the clear and ongoing threat Richard Lopez poses to the public. Prosecutors rightly recognized this danger and requested no bond, but regrettably, the rest of our criminal justice system did not uphold that request. Releasing violent, repeat offenders back into the community sends a dangerous message not only to our community members but also to the officers who risk their lives every day to protect it. Richard Lopez is not an anomaly—he represents the type of repeat offender our officers deal with every day. This is the reality of policing in Tucson: a revolving door of individuals with extensive criminal histories who continue to victimize our community. Shoplifting, once viewed as a minor offense, has become far too normalized, and in this case, it escalated to a serious assault that left an officer with long-term vision complications. This kind of ongoing criminal behavior impacts everyone, from big box retailers to small local businesses. No store is immune to the ripple effects of unchecked theft and violence. The police cannot bear this burden alone. When any part of the justice system fails to hold offenders accountable, the entire community feels the effects. The Tucson Police Officers Association stands firmly behind our injured officer and every member of our department. We also extend our sincere thanks to the brave community members who stepped in to help during this dangerous confrontation. Just as we support our officers, we stand with our community and the local businesses that are impacted by rising crime and violence. Accountability must mean something. Tucson deserves better. https://youtu.be/o_itaE3jcyQ?si=vg_j8cOAnnOCO83m (fb)