City Manager Commends Rookie of the Year

City Manager Patti McLauchlin on Tuesday commended Key West Police Officer Jorge Mayorga Lopez for his recent recognition as the South Florida Police Benevolent Society’s Rookie of the Year.

McLauchlin commended Officer Lopez for, during his first year, saving the life of a drowning 5-year-old child. Lopez arrived at a scene where no one new CPR and responded without hesitation.

“That was his first CPR since training in the academy,” said McLauchlin. “and he saved this boy’s life.”

But there’s even more to his story, she said. Lopez came to this country with his mother at the age of 15. However, his mother was deported, but Lopez stayed and put himself through school, working to support himself.

“He came to the City as a code officer for four years,” she said, “and the rest is history. He’s grown with the City and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Everyone in the room — from all of his police colleagues who came to the commission meeting, to the Mayor and Commissioners — gave Officer Lopez a standing ovation.