OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
November 12, 2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Sposato, Reboyas, Colon, Graham, Mitts, Suarez and Maldonado, a resolution honoring the life and memory of Chicago Police Commander Lupe Pena.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very; truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On October 10, 2014, God in His infinite wisdom and judgment called to his eternal reward, at age 51, 25th District Chicago Police Commander Lupe Pena, an exemplary police officer, husband, father, son, friend and public servant; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council was informed of Commander Pena's untimely death by The Honorable Nicholas Sposato, the Alderman ofthe 36th Ward, who held Commander Pena in very high esteem; and
WHEREAS, The son of Guadalupe and the late Jose Pena, Commander Pena grew up in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, where his parents instilled in him a strong work ethic and a desire to serve others; and
WHEREAS, Commander Pena began his distinguishd career in law enforcement on June 16, 1986, when he joined the Chicago Police Department as a probationary police officer in the 13th District before being assigned to the 25th District. After being promoted to sergeant on April 1, 1996, Commander Pena was assigned to the 14th District as a field supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Commander Pena was also assigned to the special operations section as a sergeant. On September 2, 2005, Commander Pena was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the 14th District as a watch commander and field lieutenant. He also worked as an inspector in auditing and internal control. He was promoted to captain on March 16, 2009, and assigned to the 15th District. Commander Pena was eventually returned to the 25th District, where he served as the executive officer; and
WHEREAS, A "policeman's policeman", who earned the confidence and trust of his colleagues and of the people he served, Commander Pena was widely admired for his strategic vision, for understanding the dynamics ofthe communities in which he worked, for his knowledge of gang activity, and for his uncanny ability to bring police and community resources together for the betterment and safety of Chicago's neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Time and time again, Commander Pena proved his skills as a police officer. Commander Pena's many well-deserved accolades in recognition of his noteworthy service to the people of Chicago include three department commendations, 176 honorable mentions, numerous complimentary letters, the Democratic National Convention Award, the 2004 Crime Reduction Ribbon, the Presidential Election Deployment Award 2008, the 2009 Crime Reduction Award, the NATO Summit Service Award and a Unit Meritorious Performance Award. Most recently, on August 51,1 of this year, Commander Pena received the 25th District Leadership Award in recognition of his expertise, initiative and exceptional police work in apprehending the perpetrator of an especially horrific and violent criminal sexual assault in the 25th District; and
WHEREAS, In October of this year, after serving a brief stint as Acting Commander ofthe 25th District, Commander Pena was named Commander ofthe 25th District, a well-deserved promotion and the culmination of Commander Pena's many years of outstanding service to the City of Chicago and to its people; and
WHEREAS, The leaders of this great City are cognizant ofthe great debt owed to those who protect the citizens of our City, and who put their own lives in jeopardy each day for our benefit. Commander Pena was such a man; and
WHEREAS, A highly intelligent person, who loved to read, who excelled in sports, who was passionate about his work and who was deeply devoted to his beautiful family, Commander Lupe Pena will always be remembered tor his extraordinary life, for his exemplary service to this great City, and as a stellar example and role model to the men and women of the Chicago Police Department, whom he so ably led over the course of his remarkable career in law enlbrcement. Commander Pena's line legacy and his many invaluable contributions to the City of Chicago and its people will never be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, Commander Pena is survived by his wife, Sherry Alvarez-Pena, who is a sergeant in the Chicago Police Department; his son, Matthew; his daughter, Nicole; his mother, Guadalupe; his six siblings, Valentina Pena, Isabel Cazares, Jose Pena, Peter Pena, Rosa Casiano, and Maria Christina; his two brothers-in-law, Sam Casiano and Tom Nelson; his sister-in-law, Norma Pena; and countless family members, friends and colleagues; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this twelfth day of November, 2014, do hereby honor the life and memory of Commander Lupe Pena, and extend our deepest condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Commander Lupe Pena, as a sign of our sympathy and respect.