Senator Martins Helps Dedicate Police Officer Arthur Lopez Memorial Bridge

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) recently helped dedicate a new tribute to Nassau County Police Officer Arthur Lopez, who was killed in the line of duty in 2012. 

     A law authored by Senator Martins earlier this year designated a section of the Cross Island Parkway between exits 26 and 27 as the “Police Officer Arthur Lopez Memorial Bridge.”  The area is near the site where Officer Lopez was killed.  Members of the Lopez Family, hundreds of officers from the Nassau County, New York, and Floral Park Police Departments, and community officials gathered at the site to unveil the sign at the bridge which bears Officer Lopez’ name.   

     “Arthur Lopez is a true hero who gave his life serving the people of Nassau County.  His bravery, heroism, and ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our community must never be forgotten.  This tribute will make sure that Officer Lopez and his service, like that of all Police Officers, will be forever remembered and honored by the residents he died to protect,” said Senator Martins.

     Officer Arthur Lopez was an eight year veteran of the Nassau County Police Department who was assigned to the Department’s elite Emergency Services Unit.  In addition to being a Police Officer, he also served as a volunteer fireman and emergency medical technician.  On October 23, 2012 he saw what he believed to be a car fleeing the scene of an accident on Northern Boulevard near the Queens border.  Officer Lopez and his partner pursued and stopped the vehicle, with Officer Lopez approaching the car to question the suspect, Darrell Fuller.  Officer Lopez was shot and killed as he approached Fuller’s vehicle.