MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department waved a regretful goodbye to Cpl. Ray Lopez Wednesday. 

“He’s a great ambassador for this organization in the community,” said MLPD Chief David Sands. “He’s all in for Moses Lake.” 

“Ray is Moses Lake,” said MLPD Public Information Officer Capt. Mike Williams. “He grew up here, he knows everyone and he is absolutely passionate about the community.” 

Lopez retired Wednesday after a career that spanned 40 years, first in the U.S. Army and then at Connell Police Department and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office before coming home to Moses Lake in 2001, according to an announcement from the MLPD.  

In his time at MLPD, Lopez has served as a patrol officer, INET detective, Street Crimes detective, supervisor, instructor, and a member of the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team, according to the MLPD announcement. He’s also played Santa Claus at the annual Shop with a Cop event and twice served as the Moses Lake School District school resource officer, which is the role he’s retiring from. 

“We would like to thank Ray Lopez for his many years of dedicated service as a School Resource Officer for the Moses Lake School District," MLSD Executive Director of Safety & Well-Being Scott West wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. “Ray has played an essential role in helping maintain safe and secure schools while building meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, and community members. His presence, professionalism, and mentorship have made a lasting difference in our schools and community. We are incredibly grateful for Ray’s commitment to serving our district, his years of service, and positive impact on students and staff.” 

“He's extremely passionate about our youth and, and mentoring the youth, and he's done a fabulous job in the schools,” Williams said. 

When Lopez joined the MLPD in 2001, he didn’t have a lot to say at first, Williams said. 

“The first time he rode with me, I think we rode for probably six or eight hours together and he didn't say a word,” Williams said. “I was wondering what I'd said to make him mad or what the problem was, but he didn't say a word the entire shift.” 

Sands said sometimes Lopez didn't need to say anything.  

“He comes across as kind of this big teddy bear, but I've been on the receiving end of when he looks at you, kind of cocks his head and raises an eyebrow at you, like ‘What the heck did you just say?’” Sands said. 

Lopez’s work ethic and dedication to the department and the community shone through, Williams said. 

“The guy's an inspiration,” he said. “He’s by far not the youngest guy on that team, yet he's out there getting after the young kids when they're slowing up. I can't tell you how many times I'd see him at training or a call-out until midnight or two in the morning, and then he’s right back in the office at 6:30 for a shift the next morning. He has very infectious enthusiasm and a passion for everything he does.” 

Lopez’ retirement will leave a difficult hole to fill, Sands said. 

“We were lucky to have him,” he said. “I'm grateful, honestly, that Ray Lopez was a police officer here, and humbled and honored to be part of this department while he was here.” 

    Moses Lake School Resource Officer Ray Lopez plays annual role as Santa at Moses Lake’s Shop with a Cop in December.
  

    Moses Lake Police Cpl. Ray Lopez walks the halls of Columbia Middle School. Lopez retired Wednesday as the Moses Lake School District’s school resource officer.