Fallen U.S. Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez Honored In Indio

INDIO, CA — Honoring one of its own, the city of Indio invited residents Monday to leave items of remembrance at a photo and flower memorial honoring U.S. Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, an Indio resident who was one of 13 service members killed in a bombing in Afghanistan.

The memorial honoring Lopez, 22, includes photos and yellow roses in the shade of a large Afghan pine tree on the west side of City Hall, 100 Civic Center Mall. The photo memorial reads, "In grateful memory of the service and sacrifice of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez. You are forever a son of Indio."

Lopez and 12 other service members died Thursday in a suicide bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, amid the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

Lopez was the son of Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Alicia Lopez and sheriff's Capt. Herman Lopez. According to the Riverside Sheriff's Association, Hunter Lopez was a Riverside County sheriff's Explorer Scout with the Palm Desert Station from September 2014 to August 2017, and he planned to become a sheriff's deputy upon his return from Afghanistan.

Lopez's parents said Monday they were "overwhelmed" at the show of support they've received following his death.

"We want to send out a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Relief Foundation in the name of Hunter and the family, prayed, or reached out to us during one of the most challenging times in our lives," they said in a statement. "Please know that Hunter wore the United States Marine uniform with love and pride, and it is very apparent that the community will never forget his sacrifice and our family.

"We are grateful to those who have paid tribute to Hunter by sending us bouquets of flowers, posting so many heartfelt messages on social media, or otherwise sharing in our sadness as well as the celebration of his short but incredible life," they said. "We wish we could thank all of you individually, but that would be nearly impossible, as there has been an overwhelming amount of people helping us. Whether checking on us, praying, making donations in Hunter's honor, we will forever be thankful for all of you.

"So many people told us that they couldn't find the right words to express their sympathy. We, likewise, realized that there were no words to express our deep level of appreciation adequately. We have only two words for everyone: thank you."

Indio officials said residents can leave items of remembrance and tribute to Lopez at the City Hall memorial through Sept. 11. They asked that people do not leave lighted candles.

The Indio City Council was expected to hold a moment of silence in honor of Lopez during its afternoon meeting Monday.

"Hunter was selfless in his desire to serve his country and in so doing paid the ultimate sacrifice," Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes said in a statement. "Thank you Hunter, and all whose lives were lost, and all who serve, for fighting to protect our freedom."

Indio Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon said he would ask the council to prepare a memorial proclamation to present to the Lopez family at a later date, along with a resolution honoring Lopez and the others killed in the attack.

Lopez was one of two Riverside County residents killed in the Kabul bombing. Kareem Mae'Lee Grant Nikoui, 20, a Marine lance corporal from Norco, also died in the attack.

Also among the dead was Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga in neighboring San Bernardino County.

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