LA Police Honor Marine Killed In Iraq
Associated Press
June 2, 2003


LOS ANGELES - Police paid tribute to a Marine who died in Iraq before he could fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer.

Although Cpl. Jorge Gonzalez never made it to the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department, on Saturday he was honored along with the 100 members of the LAPD serving in the military.

Police Chief William Bratton presented Gonzalez's parents Rosa and Mario Gonzalez of El Monte with a plaque in appreciation of their son's service to the country.

"Today we honor him by honoring his family and the dream that he had to be one of us," Bratton said.

Gonzalez, who had been assigned to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was killed March 23 near Nasiriyah, during the early days of fighting.

The 20-year-old Marine is survived by his wife, Jazty, as well as his infant son, Alonso Manuel, whom he never had the chance to meet.

Gonzalez had told family members that he planned to move back to El Monte after he finished his military service next year and enroll in the police academy.

Sempers,

Roger

Rest in Peace