Lopez Playground

Palma Dr. bet. Targee St. and Oder Ave.

Staten Island

This playground honors police officer Luis Reynaldo Lopez (1957-1993). Lopez was a resident of West Brighton, and this playground is located in the Park Hill section of Clifton where Officer Lopez patrolled when he worked in the New York Police Department’s 120th Precinct in Staten Island. Officer Lopez later worked in the Manhattan South Narcotics Division and was slain in the line of duty on March 10, 1993 during a drug sting operation in the East Village. A flagpole with three plaques in the playground also commemorates Officer Lopez.

Born in Honduras in 1957, Lopez moved with his family to Staten Island in 1968. Lopez joined the NYPD in 1985, and three years later, he was promoted to detective. Lopez was named the NYPD’s “Rookie of the Year” in 1987 and “Police Officer of the Year” in 1989. He also received a posthumous Medal of Honor in 1995.

Discover the history of Lopez Playground