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Rafael Pérez (police officer)

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Rafael Perez
BornAugust 22, 1967
Humacao, Puerto Rico
Other namesRay
RelativesLorri Charles (1986-1993) Denise Aubry (1993-2006)
Police career
CountryUnited States
DepartmentLos Angeles Police Department
Service years1989–1998
RankSworn in as an officer – 1989
– Police Officer 3 – 1994
Other workConvicted in connection to the LAPD Rampart Scandal (Plea bargain), Government witness

Ray Lopez, born as Rafael Antonio Pérez (born August 22, 1967), is a former Los Angeles Police Department C.R.A.S.H officer and the central figure in the LAPD Rampart Scandal. He was involved in the coverup of a $722,000 bank robbery, shot and framed Javier Ovando, and stole and resold at least $800,000 of cocaine from LAPD evidence lockers. He is accused of being a member of the Bloods, a notorious Los Angeles gang, and murdering rapper The Notorious B.I.G. at the behest of Suge Knight of Death Row Records. When Pérez was finally arrested, he implicated 70 other Rampart Division officers in various forms of misconduct, ranging from bad shootings to consuming alcohol while on duty. At least 106 LAPD arrests were overturned based on Pérez's testimony.

Ongoing investigation into the murder of The Notorious B.I.G.

See also: The Notorious B.I.G.

On April 16, 2007 relatives of rapper Christopher Wallace, who was known as The Notorious B.I.G., filed a wrongful death suit against the city of Los Angeles, former LAPD Officer Rafael Pérez and his partner former Officer Nino Durden, seeking unspecified general, compensatory and punitive monetary damages. The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court by Wallace's mother, his widow Faith Evans, and his two children.

The lawsuit states that Pérez, Nino Durden, their partner former Officer David Mack, and "certain unknown persons" were responsible for the death of Christopher Wallace. The rapper was shot to death on March 9, 1997, as he and Sean Combs left the 11th Annual Soul Train Music Awards after-party held at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. The lawsuit states the killing was committed "in a very efficient, organized and professional manner, suggesting that a high degree of coordination and planning preceded his murder." It further states that Pérez admitted to the LAPD that he and David Mack "conspired to murder, and participated in the murder of Christopher Wallace." Both Pérez and Nino Durden were on duty during the night of March 9,.

Wallace's murder is believed to have been in retaliation for the murder of Tupac Shakur. Tupac Shakur was a member of Death Row Records, run by Marion "Suge" Knight. Knight is known to have hired off-duty Rampart cops for security such as Kevin Gaines, who was shot to death by fellow LAPD officer Frank Lyga on March 18, 1997. Knight, who grew up in Compton, is well known for his ties to the Bloods. Following his arrest, detectives found several photos of Rafael Pérez flashing Blood gang signs. The connection between Pérez and the murder of Christopher Wallace has long been a source of speculation by the LAPD.

The current wrongful death lawsuit states that Pérez was a member of "a violent street gang associated with Death Row Records, and that he was partly responsible for Wallace's death."

Pop culture

In the movie Training Day, Denzel Washington said he emulated the style of Rafael Perez to give his character Alonzo a more authentic aspect. Also, the character's vehicle has the license plate ORP 967, which is said to stand for Officer Rafael Perez, born in 1967.

The television series The Shield is based on the Los Angeles Rampart Scandal, and the show's main character, Officer Vic Mackey, is based heavily on Rafael Perez.

Notes

  1. "CNN.com". Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  2. ^ "Notorious B.I.G.'s Family files suit against Los Angeles". Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  3. "PBS Rampart Scandal Timeline". Retrieved 2008-08-04.
Rampart scandal
Notable accused officers
Victims
Coverup and investigation
Gang involvement
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