Christobal (Chris) Eloy Lucero Obituary

Description: Christobal (Chris) Eloy Lucero Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To His Loved Ones...

Christobal (Chris) Eloy Lucero

July 20, 1938 – November 28, 2022

Obituary

This is a story of Christobal (Chris) Eloy Lucero. To his family, he was referred to as our Superman, our Man of Steel, and our hero – he was our very beloved “Papa”. To the people of the town of Rocky Ford, Chris was known as “Chief” or “Chief Lucero” (Police Chief Chris Lucero).

Chris’ story starts on July 20, 1938, the sixth child of fourteen children born to Antonio and Fidelia Lucero in Anton Chico, New Mexico. When Chris was a small boy, his parents moved the family to Rocky Ford, where Chris spent his childhood, grew up, made many lifelong friends, and attended Rocky Ford schools. Chris was a proud member of the Rocky Ford Meloneer class of 1958.

Rocky Ford is where Chris would meet the love of his life, Irene (Roybal) Lucero. Chris and Irene had a whirlwind romance and were married at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on November 28, 1959. The couple started a family and had four children; three girls and a boy. Chris operated the Robertson Dairy, farmed and worked at the Stauffer Packing Plant in Rocky Ford until he entered law enforcement in 1968.

Chief Lucero worked in law enforcement for over 27 years. He first served as a Deputy for the Otero County Sheriff’s Office, then as a Rocky Ford Police Officer until being appointed the Rocky Ford Police Chief. He proudly served in this position for 24 years, from December 1970 through his retirement in January 1995. Chris was a graduate of the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy (CLETA). He had a zest for learning new and challenging approaches to police and detective work. This allowed him to serve the good citizens of Rocky Ford to the best of his ability.

Chris was a dedicated and devoted man of God. He and his late wife were long time members of St Peter’s Catholic Church of Rocky Ford. He was committed to the community and dedicated his time to the youth of Rocky Ford. In his younger days, Chief Lucero was a Golden Gloves boxer. He enjoyed the sport and started and coached a boxing program for the youth of Rocky Ford for four years. He also coached youth baseball for many years. He was a member of the Rocky Ford Lions Club, Christian Men’s Breakfast Club, and a member of the Rocky Ford Chamber of Commerce.

Chief Lucero devoted much of his free time to solving cases to ensure the safety of the citizens, business owners and the City of Rocky Ford. He made himself available 24/7. The Lucero home received phone calls for Chief Lucero night and day and the family was expected to answer the phone on the first ring and learned at very young ages to take thorough messages. People also came to the home when the Chief was not in the office. It was not unusual for Chief Lucero to bring families (mothers and their children) to the Lucero home for safety when involved in domestic abuse. The entire Lucero family treated their visitors as special guests until they could be safely relocated.

One night in late August 1969, Chief Lucero noticed a family - a mother, father and their ten children sleeping in their vehicle. Chief Lucero asked what they were doing and they said they were in town for work but had nowhere to live. He took them to his family home and found them a place to live where they stayed for several months. The Lucero family was happy to help this family and a lifelong bond was forged. They are still in contact with the family to this day. The Lucero family and their home was known as a welcoming safe haven to many.

One of the most positive individuals you will ever meet, Chief Lucero was a happy, helping person. It was not unusual for Chief Lucero to help hitchhikers during his travels. He would purchase a meal for his temporary traveling companions and he would drive them to their next destinations. One of the hitchhikers he picked up happened to be someone who Chief Lucero had arrested and sent to prison. This was an unexpected but happy reunion and they reminisced about life. The gentleman thanked Chief Lucero for having saved his life by prosecuting him, which forced him to change his life.

As busy as Chief Lucero was, he remained a dedicated and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and public servant. He was always there for his wife and children through their ups and downs. The Chief never missed any of his children’s sports games, cheerleading events, concerts or plays. As the family had grandchildren, he made sure to attend as many of the grandchildren’s events as possible.

Upon Chief Lucero’s retirement, he received congratulatory messages from the President of the United States, the Governor of Colorado, and his police officers: “Congratulations on your retirement. You can be proud of your contribution to America’s tradition on hard work, which has made our country strong. I wish you every future happiness. (signed) Bill Clinton”

“Dear Chief Lucero: As Governor of Colorado, I am pleased to extend the appreciation of all the residents of this state for 27 years of faithful service to Colorado as a police officer. You have met and mastered many challenges in your career. I believe you should take pride in the service you have given to this state and its people. Again, on behalf of all Coloradans, I send you our thanks for your service and our best wishes for the future. Sincerely (signed) Roy Romer”

Chris’ officers presented him with a testimonial each officer had signed, which read as follows: In honor of Chief Chris Lucero’s retirement we would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Rocky Ford Police Department, to thank our friend and boss for his countless hours of support and inspiration to his police officers and the citizens of Rocky Ford. Chris has been an inspiration to us all. Chris has always educated us that ‘the people come first. In times of need, the good people will appreciate you and what you stand for.’ Regardless of times of trial, Chris seemed to always be sure of himself, and, indeed, he was. Chris, we commend you! (signed) David R. Encinias, Fred Salazar, Frank Gallegos, Bill Huff, Troy Daniels, Steven Vigil and Brian Lewis”

Following Chief Lucero’s retirement from law enforcement, he remained very busy and became a court interpreter for the 16th Judicial District which includes court systems for Otero, Bent and Crowley Counties. He was also a very successful, self-employed process server with a very high serve success rate. He was also a very successful, self-employed process server with a very high serve success rate. He provided security for events held in Rocky Ford, and he worked as a traffic controller for funerals in Rocky Ford for the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. He juggled his time doing this work and continued to help countless families who called upon him for guidance with their children or family members who were involved in issues with the law. Chief Lucero continued to stay busy until he was 82 years old when he officially retired.

Chief Lucero’s Earthly story reached its conclusion the morning of November 28, 2022, the 63rd wedding anniversary of Chris and his late wife Irene. His legacy of love for God, family, and kindness for others as well as his ethics and core values will live on forever through his loved ones.

He is survived by: daughter Kathy, (Tim) Leckbee of Santa Fe, NM; daughter Sandy, (Michael) Lehnertz of Peyton; son Gary, (Rose) Lucero of Pueblo; daughter Kryste, (Vincent) Brown of Pueblo; brother Nick (Betty) Lucero of Moore, OK; sister Agneda, ( Jose) Aragon of Manzanola; sister Lorraine, (Hank) Bischoff of Colorado Springs; brother Larry, (Mary Lou) Lucero of Colorado Springs; brother-in-law Tony (husband of the late Clara) Valencia; brother-in-law Chris (Denise) Roybal of Long Beach, CA; brother-in-law Dennis Roybal of Dallas, TX; brother-in-Law Tino (husband of the late Doris) DeLeon of Pueblo.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents Antonio Lucero and Fidelia Lucero; his beloved wife, Irene Lucero; brother Alfonso, (Carrie) Lucero; brother Tony (Bessie) Lucero; brother Lee, (Susan) Lucero; sister Clara, (Tony) Valencia, Brother Phil (Yun) Lucero; sister Mary Rodriguez; Brother Robert Lucero; sister Susie Lucero (Pat Scott); brother Charles Lucero; (May) Lucero; Parents-in-law Albert Roybal and Erminda Roybal; sister-in-law Jenny (Joe) Barron; brother-in-law Charles Roybal; sister-in-law Doris (Tino) DeLeon; sister-in-law Nora (Armando) Villa.

He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Tahnee (Jeremy) Wydra of Loveland; Kristen (Patrick) Graham of Kapolei, HI; Father Benjamin Lehnertz of Orlando, FL; Brittni (Bobby) Sanchez of Pueblo, Tayler Pino (Matt Basquez) of Berthoud; Will Lehnertz, Sidney, Australia; Miles (Dr. Sarah Housman) Lucero of Pueblo; Devon Lucero (Steve Taylor) of Cascade, Keaton (Rachel) Brown of Greenwood Village; and 9 great grandchildren: Olivia “Liv” Wydra; Leif Graham; Lennox, Sloan and Ledger Sanchez; Frankie, Benjamin and Laney Basquez; Jamie Lucero; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bellwood Ford Ustick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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