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It is with heartfelt sadness that our family bids goodbye to one of its most beloved men on this universe, Zeke Cerecerez. The following is a tribute written by a good friend and co-worker of more than (30) years.
Lieutenant Zeke Cerecerez served the community of Monrovia and the Monrovia Police Department for 29 years. He began his career in 1985 and only just recently retired from the department in September of 2014. Throughout his career, Zeke served in a variety of assignments including: Training Officer, Canine Officer, SWAT Officer, Special Enforcement Team Sergeant running a gang and narcotics unit, Community Policing Sergeant, and a Patrol Watch Commander as a Lieutenant.
Prior to his law enforcement career serving the citizens of Monrovia, Zeke had an illustrious military career serving his country as an active-duty Navy Seal and a U.S. Navy Reserve Explosive Ordinance Diver. He also served as a U.S. Army Reserve Special Forces Sergeant.
Zeke’s life was filled with sacrifice and service. As a tribute to Zeke and his family, I would like to share his history of service to his nation and community.
Zeke joined the United States Navy and was trained as a hospital corpsman. He was selected and trained for Naval Special Operations. Zeke earned his Trident and was designated a Navy S.E.A.L. Zeke served in combat during the latter years of the Vietnam War. True to serving his country Zeke, remained in both the Navy and Army Reserves. Zeke served several years in U.S. Army Special Forces (“Green Berets”) and he was activated for the invasion of Iraq during Desert Storm. Zeke quietly retired from the military but his service with our armed forces was not over yet.
Zeke earned a Bachelor’s of Arts and a Master’s in Psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1985, Zeke joined the Monrovia Police Department. He was assigned as a patrol officer, K-9 Handler, and Agent. In 2001, he was promoted to sergeant and served as a patrol supervisor, leader of the Special Enforcement Team, and completed a stint in the Community Policing Bureau.
As a collateral duty, Zeke served as a team sergeant on the Tactical Response Team. While commander of TRT, I selected Zeke as one of my team sergeants. All team members felt safe knowing that “Doc Zeke”, now trained as a tactical medic, would risk his life to save ours if any of us were wounded during SWAT operations.
Once promoted to lieutenant, Zeke served as a Patrol Watch Commander and Commanded the Detective Bureau.
Zeke retired last year and set his sights on teaching at the college level and once again, joining the military. Zeke, true to his love for his country, joined the California Army National Guard. He was weeks away from graduating as a commissioned officer from Officer Candidate School. He was selected to join his military police training unit as a second lieutenant. I was so proud of him for tackling OCS at 62 years of age. It was not a surprise that Zeke, who throughout his life, served others. That demonstration of service to others defined Zeke. Zeke and his wife Eva instilled the same attribute of his three sons.
Lieutenant Cerecerez is survived by his wife, three sons and their families. Lieutenant Zeke Cerecerez was one of Monrovia Police Department’s finest and he will be greatly missed.
Lieutenant Zeke Cerecerez served the community of Monrovia and the Monrovia Police Department for 29 years. He began his career in 1985 and only just recently retired from the department in September of 2014. Throughout his career, Zeke served in a variety of assignments including: Training Officer, Canine Officer, SWAT Officer, Special Enforcement Team Sergeant running a gang and narcotics unit, Community Policing Sergeant, and a Patrol Watch Commander as a Lieutenant.
Prior to his law enforcement career serving the citizens of Monrovia, Zeke had an illustrious military career serving his country as an active-duty Navy Seal and a U.S. Navy Reserve Explosive Ordinance Diver. He also served as a U.S. Army Reserve Special Forces Sergeant.
Zeke’s life was filled with sacrifice and service. As a tribute to Zeke and his family, I would like to share his history of service to his nation and community.
Zeke joined the United States Navy and was trained as a hospital corpsman. He was selected and trained for Naval Special Operations. Zeke earned his Trident and was designated a Navy S.E.A.L. Zeke served in combat during the latter years of the Vietnam War. True to serving his country Zeke, remained in both the Navy and Army Reserves. Zeke served several years in U.S. Army Special Forces (“Green Berets”) and he was activated for the invasion of Iraq during Desert Storm. Zeke quietly retired from the military but his service with our armed forces was not over yet.
Zeke earned a Bachelor’s of Arts and a Master’s in Psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles. In 1985, Zeke joined the Monrovia Police Department. He was assigned as a patrol officer, K-9 Handler, and Agent. In 2001, he was promoted to sergeant and served as a patrol supervisor, leader of the Special Enforcement Team, and completed a stint in the Community Policing Bureau.
As a collateral duty, Zeke served as a team sergeant on the Tactical Response Team. While commander of TRT, I selected Zeke as one of my team sergeants. All team members felt safe knowing that “Doc Zeke”, now trained as a tactical medic, would risk his life to save ours if any of us were wounded during SWAT operations.
Once promoted to lieutenant, Zeke served as a Patrol Watch Commander and Commanded the Detective Bureau.
Zeke retired last year and set his sights on teaching at the college level and once again, joining the military. Zeke, true to his love for his country, joined the California Army National Guard. He was weeks away from graduating as a commissioned officer from Officer Candidate School. He was selected to join his military police training unit as a second lieutenant. I was so proud of him for tackling OCS at 62 years of age. It was not a surprise that Zeke, who throughout his life, served others. That demonstration of service to others defined Zeke. Zeke and his wife Eva instilled the same attribute of his three sons.
Lieutenant Cerecerez is survived by his wife, three sons and their families. Lieutenant Zeke Cerecerez was one of Monrovia Police Department’s finest and he will be greatly missed.
Organizer
GARY CUPERSMITH
Organizer
Highland, CA
