Bro. Alejandro Valadez
2/1/1982 – 6/1/2009
Western Illinois University
Brother Alejandro “Matón” Valadez was born February 1, 1982 to the union of Rogelio Valadez and Margarita Valadez. He was known to his family and friends as “Cano” and was the youngest of five children. “Alex” as he was known to everyone, graduated from Brother Rice High School and went on to Western Illinois University and graduated with honors and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. While there, he became a brother of Sigma Lambda Beta on November 10, 2002 as the Captain of Ship L.U.N.A.T.I.C.S.
Alex joined the Chicago Police Department in 2005 and worked in the 022nd and 007th Districts. He served the citizens of Chicago with distinction earning a department Commendation and 22 Honorable Mention Awards during his three year career with the Chicago Police Department. On Monday, June 1, 2009 just after midnight, Alex and his partner responded to a call of shots fired in the 6000 block of South Hermitage Avenue. Two rival gangs were shooting at each other, but when Alex and his partner arrived, the gunfire had ceased. They got out of their vehicle to search a nearby lot for weapons and to interview an individual walking nearby, when a car pulled up with alleged gang members inside. Someone fired at the officers, who were in plainclothes, striking Alex in the head and leg. For the next 14 hours, Alex fought for his life as family, friends, and police officers gathered at his side. At 2:40 p.m., Alex succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead. "He was on a team working on special missions, and today he's not with us anymore," Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis said outside the hospital following the death. "That's going to have a devastating effect upon everybody that knew him, everybody in the Chicago Police Department, and it should have a devastating effect upon all ... citizens of the city of Chicago."
Alex’s fun loving and easy going personality made it possible for him to be loved by so many. He could walk into a room full of strangers and walk out having made lifelong friends. Alex was quite the jokester. His light hearted jokes kept the family laughing at every family function. His goofy smile brightened up to the room. Alex was so excited about the upcoming birth of his son to be born in September of 2009. Alex will live on through his son.
