Behind the Badge
Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez is not one for seeking out the limelight.
So when the 28-year-old patrol officer was asked to walk the runway – in uniform – in front of hundreds of people for a fashion show/fundraiser, of course his first response was no.
“It was actually way out of my comfort zone,” Lopez said.
The crowd gets energized as Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez, a 10-year cancer survivor, makes his appearance as the last model to walk down the runway during the Spring Sting Fashion Show fundraiser.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
But this was not a typical fashion show featuring typical models. This was the Spring Sting Fashion Show, which raises money for cancer research. Every single model was a cancer survivor or is currently battling cancer.
Lopez is himself a cancer survivor, and recently celebrated 10 years of being cancer free.
In 2008, Lopez had just graduated from Servite High School, where he was an all-league, all-CIF soccer player ready to take his game to an NCAA Division 1 university.
But a diagnosis of testicular cancer just after his 18th birthday derailed those plans, albeit temporarily.
Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez holds his 10-year cancer survivor sign as he walks down the runway in uniform during the Spring Sting Fashion Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lopez endured four cycles of chemotherapy, receiving treatments eight hours a day, five days a week for about three months.
As soon as he got the go-ahead to return to the soccer field, Lopez accepted a scholarship to play at Vanguard University.
Two years later, Lopez transferred to Sacramento State, where he played two years of Division 1 soccer and graduated with a degree in public relations.
Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez, a 10-year cancer survivor, starts his walk down the runway.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lopez was inspired to become an officer by a family friend who was a police officer with the Santa Ana Police Department.
So, Lopez worked two jobs and paid his way through Golden West Police Academy. He was hired by the Westminster Police Department right out of the academy in September 2015. He recently became part of the SWAT team.
Westminster Det. Marcela Lopez (no relation) was familiar with Lopez’s victory over cancer.
The detective also happens to be friends with the organizer of the fashion show.
Hudson Kent, a 7-year cancer survivor, walks the runway during the Spring Sting Fashion Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“I thought it was a neat story because he persevered and pushed through,” the detective said. “It was an awesome story.”
Marcela Lopez contacted the organizer, who convinced Alex Lopez to participate in the fashion show.
“He is super private,” said Roly Lopez, 31, Alex’s brother. “He doesn’t like doing this stuff.”
Diana Sullivan, a 10-month cancer survivor, left, thanks Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez after their participation in the Spring Sting Fashion Show fundraiser.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Even when he was going through chemotherapy, Lopez didn’t mention it to many people because he didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for him, Roly Lopez said.
After consulting with his brother, Lopez said he was struck with the notion that his participation in the fashion show represents a cause bigger than him.
“Initially I said no,” Lopez said. “(But) I was kind of being selfish. You don’t know who you could have an impact on or who you could motivate out there. There are people out there that I’m sure have gone through it or had family who’d gone through.”
Gina Guffy, a 6-year cancer survivor, gets the crowd going as she walks the runway during the Spring Sting Fashion Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
With his big brother and Det. Lopez in the audience, Lopez donned his Westminster PD uniform and was the final model to strut along the runway at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.
He was greeted with applause, as was every model who graced the catwalk.
The Westminster PD also auctioned off the opportunity to go on a ride-along with Lopez when he goes on patrol.
“I think he’s got a great story,” Marcela Lopez said. “Especially being in uniform, I think people can see that anything is possible and not to ever give up.”
Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez, a 10-year cancer survivor, waves while walking down the runway.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Jared Sarvis, a 2 1/2-year cancer survivor, smiles as he walks the runway during the Spring Sting Fashion Show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Connie Miyamoto, a 7-year cancer survivor, waves as she makes her way down the runway.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Westminster Police Detective Marcela Lopez, left, came to the fashion show/fundraiser to support Westminster Police Officer Alex Lopez, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
