The Mexican Mafia and More

This page is for our dear friends and co-workers that dedicated thier lives to combat prison and street gangs and are now assigned to Heaven's STGMO.

If anyone has someone that fits this catagory, we will be proud to honor them on this page! Submit a photo and a short dedication to the website manager: (cmrdz08@yahoo.com)

I first met “Tony” in 1972 while employed as a police officer for the City of Monterey Park, California.  He was a state parole admerinistrator.  We became instant friends.  Tony was not only a rather large man, but had the heart to match.  After I moved out of California in 1983, I lost touch with him. I had learned of his illness after I had moved to Arizona in 2002.  He was one of a kind in our criminal justice endeavors, just as he was one of the 4 originals that put together the original prison gang task force in California in 1972.  He will be greatly missed by not only his real family, but by those of us that worked with him and knew him best.

When I went to work for the MPPD in 1964, I was assigned a Reserve Officer named Edward “Trapper” Godfrey.  Eddie was one of the best Reserve Officers that served with me.  Eddie later on became a Police Officer for the City of San Gabriel Police Department (next city over from us), rising to the rank of Lieutenant.  Eddie was one of the first to join us at the Prison Gang Task Force.  Eddie was astute on street/prison gangs as there were plenty living in his city.  Eddie also worked on the Delia murder case.  Eddie is survived by his son, Eddie Jr. who is also a Deputy Sheriff for the LASD and has also worked the prison gangs. He also is survived by a daughter.

Tim, as he liked to be called, came to MPPD right after his discharge from the US Marines and a stint in Vietnam.  He was a squared-away officer eager to learn. I was one of his training officers and liked him from the start.  After a couple of years with our department he left to become an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agent.  A couple of years later, he returned to the Los Angeles area and asked to join the Prison Gang Task Force.  He was accepted and did a fine job for our group. I can say that I was proud to have him on our team.

Robert "Bob" W. Collins was a highly decorated U.S. Navy combat veteran having served his country during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He saw extended combat duty in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of operation as well as at the Inchon Invasion. After military service, he joined the Monterey Park Police Department and rose in the ranks from patrolman to Police Chief. He is best remembered for his uncanny and innovative skills as a detective and investigator. He prided himself on using ethical procedures to get his man every time. One of his many significant achievements was identifying the seminal involvement and potential of the California Prison Gangs while he was conducting the murder investigation of Apache Alvarez in Monterey Park, California. Collins was also the Detective Commander who handled the investigation of the Delia Case and he played a key role in the apprehension of Alphy Sosa. Bob Collins was the ultimate "Cop's Cop" and will always be remembered as a credit to the history and profession of law enforcement. He passed away in 2001.

I can still remember the first time I met Valentin “Val” Lopez.  I was introduced to him by another dear friend. Val was working narcotics for the San Antonio Police Department, however, knew more about the (Mexikanemi) Texas Mexican Mafia, then some of it’s own members.  Val went to school with the President, Heriberto Huerta.  He was one of the kindest cops that I ever had the pleasure of knowing.  Val and I also became instant friends and exchange information on the prison gangs operating in San Antonio . He was married to a wonderful woman, Grace and had a couple beautiful daughters.  All of us in the law enforcement community will miss him.

Juaquin was the STG Sgt. at the Lynaugh Unit in Fort Stockton, Texas for approximately three years.  His accomplishments as the STG Sgt. on the Unit were appreciated by both the Unit Staff and Adminstration.  Juaquin's faith and love to God, his wonderful wife, Christine and his 3 beautiful daughters was strong.  Juanquin left us at the early age of 35 and will be missed by all that knew him.  He will never be forgotten!!!

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