According to the Riverside Sheriff's Association, a Marine from California was killed in a bomb attack on the Kabul international airport.
Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, is from a Coachella Valley family. He is the son two Riverside County Sheriff's Department workers.
The news release said that Hunter's death was a sad loss. He chose to live a life of selflessness, sacrifice, service and compassion, just like his parents.
According to the sheriff's association, Lopez was a Riverside Sheriff's Scout Scout who served with the Palm Desert Station between Sept. 2014 and Aug. 2017. According to the release, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, and planned to join the sheriff's office upon his return from deployment.
Capt. Capt. He is the police chief of the City of La Quinta. The City contracts with Riverside County Sheriff's Department to provide law enforcement services.
Hunter Lopez, a 22-year-old man from Coachella Valley, was killed in an attack on Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
Hunter's mother, Deputy Alicia Lopez has been working for the department since 2001. She is also the board secretary of the labor group. In 2017, she was awarded the Rick Espinoza Distinguished Service Award because she donated a kidney to a boy who needed it.
According to the union's press release, "Our community feels the pain, and we mourn Hunter's death, who answered the call of service, defend, and protect our country." Hunter was not a Marine like his parents, who served our community. It was a calling. Hunter was a loving father and a great friend. We are so sad for Hunter and the Marines who lost him too soon.
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Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco offered his condolences on behalf of the Lopez family via his Facebook page.
Bianco wrote, "I am deeply saddened and broken for the Lopez family as it grieves over the loss of American Hero." "Our entire department is grieving this tragic loss. Lopez's family is an example of the concept of Service Above Self.
Linda Evans, La Quinta Mayor, expressed condolences to the city council and residents on Friday.
Evans sent an email to The Desert Sun, part the USA TODAY Network, saying that "our La Quinta family is in sorrow today at the tragic loss Hunter Lopez,"
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We are all humbled by Hunter's service and ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. Evans said that Hunter was a selfless and brave soldier who answered the call of being a United States Marine.
She said that Hunter, like his parents, wanted to serve others and protect his communities. "Our City Council staff and the staff request that the community join them in praying and supporting the Lopez family as they go through this difficult time.
Hunter Lopez graduated from Desert Sands Unified School district.
Mary Perry, a district spokesperson, said that Hunter Lopez was a loved student at our schools. His family reached out to his former schools to confirm his death. All students, staff, school board members and teachers of DSUSD send their condolences to the family.
According to American officials, the explosion resulted in the deaths of 11 U.S. Marines and one Navy hospital corpsman. One soldier was also killed. At least 18 U.S. military personnel were also injured. This was the most fatal day for American forces in Afghanistan since August 2011.
One of the victims was a Wyoming Marine who was expecting a baby in three weeks.
Officials told the Associated Press that 169 Afghans died. CBS News reported that the number was 170.
Joe Biden, President of the United States, praised the "bravery" and "sacrifice" of the U.S. military on Friday. He called the deaths of U.S. servicemen "tragic" but said they were dying for a "worthy cause."
Biden stated that "our mission there being carried out is dangerous and it has now resulted in a significant loss American personnel," Friday afternoon, before meeting with Israeli Prime Minster Naftali Bennett. They continue to evacuate people from the airport, which was a noble mission.
Biden stated that over 12,000 people were evacuated within the last 24 hours.
This article was originally published on Palm Springs Desert Sun. Hunter Lopez, a California Marine killed in an attack at an airport in Afghanistan.
