Alma Martinez, the city manager of El Monte, recalls a moment when a dedicated Public Works employee expressed his desire to join the El Monte Police Department. Recognizing his passion, she guided him towards attending the police academy, ultimately leading to his employment with the department. On July 26, in a press conference alongside federal and state officials, she witnessed the announcement of the arrest of gang members who had celebrated the tragic deaths of two officers, Joseph Santana and Cpl. Michael Paredes. The impact of their deaths continues to affect the city and those closest to the fallen officers. The community was informed of new federal charges against 10 members and associates of a local gang that law enforcement authorities now link to the officers’ slaying. The Quiet Village street gang, based in the Whittier-area and connected to the Mexican Mafia, was the target of a year-long investigation following the shooting of Paredes and Santana. Although the gang was not directly accused of ordering the officers’ shootings, their deaths triggered the investigation.
The revelation of the new charges reopened emotional wounds for local leaders, officers, and the city’s police force. The loss remains deeply felt, and some individuals still struggle with finding closure, despite the city’s efforts to provide justice for the officers’ families. Alma Martinez acknowledged the personal and professional impact of the tragedy and expressed her profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by police officers and their families to protect the city.
On June 14, 2022, Santana and Paredes responded to a call at the Siesta Inn to assist a possibly stabbed woman. When they arrived at the motel room, the woman, unharmed, exited the room. As they approached the suspect, Justin Flores, a member of the Quiet Village gang and a convicted felon, he brandished a handgun and opened fire on the officers, resulting in their deaths. Flores engaged in a second shootout with other officers in the parking lot before taking his own life. The investigation into the Quiet Village gang, known as Operation Silent Cadence, required significant resources from the city, primarily in police overtime, as they prioritized justice for the fallen officers.
El Monte Police Chief Jake Fisher emphasized that regardless of the outcome, the department remains committed to their duty. Though the loss of two officers is irreplaceable, the remaining 120 officers will continue their pursuit of justice and provide support to the grieving families.
After a thorough investigation, 10 defendants faced charges in grand jury indictments and a criminal complaint. Seven of them were already in custody, including three who were newly arrested. However, three defendants remain fugitives. The indictments focused on three main areas of criminal activity: attempted murder of a rival gang member, targeting an informant resulting in a bystander’s death, and operating an illegal gambling and narcotics establishment called a “casita”. While the arrests brought some semblance of justice, Janine Paredes, the wife of Officer Paredes, emphasized that it is far from closure for her family. She described her husband’s choice to join the police force as a testament to his desire to make a positive change and not succumb to a life of crime. The families of Santana and Paredes filed separate lawsuits against Los Angeles County, District Attorney George Gascón, the county Probation Department, and the motel for wrongful death.
The lawsuits revealed that Justin Flores, despite having a prior felony conviction for burglary, was placed on probation under a plea deal in 2021, even as Gascón disregarded California’s “three strikes” law. If Gascón had followed the law, Flores would have received a prison sentence. The lawsuits also highlighted the probation officer’s lack of proper supervision, with Flores being seen only once instead of the required monthly check-ins. The failure to initiate probation revocation proceedings further contributed to the tragedy.
The request to consolidate the two lawsuits related to the officers’ deaths was denied by a judge who found no emergency basis for granting the motion. The judge suggested that the parties submit a proposed order stating good reasons for combining the cases to avoid a waste of judicial resources.
All in all, the announcement of federal charges against the gang members connected to the officers’ slayings reignited deep emotions within the community. While the road to justice may be long, the city of El Monte and its police force are steadfast in their commitment to supporting the families of Santana and Paredes and seeking some semblance of closure.
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