Dominique Perez

Family Man...Dedicated Public Servant...Hero

Officer Dominique Perez was born in Albuquerque, NM.  Being raised in a military family, he lived in Texas for several years.  They eventually moved back to Albuquerque where he attended middle school and high school.  He graduated from Del Norte High School in 1999.  Since a very young age Officer Perez felt a calling to help and protect others.  To fulfill this calling he chose to serve his country by enlisting into the United States Marine Corps.  After completion of boot camp, he asked for his high school sweetheart Tiffanie's hand in marriage.  They were married a year later and were stationed at Camp Pendleton base in California.  

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, Officer Perez was deployed abroad for security and humanitarian operations with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.  He returned home briefly only to be redeployed with his brothers from the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Division Delta Company to the Kuwaiti border.  On March 19, 2003 the invasion order was given and he fought North with his unit to liberate the Iraqi people in what is now identified as Operation Iraqi Freedom.  After taking Saddams home town of Tikrit, his unit was relieved by other US forces allowing him to return home.  Once again after a brief visit home, Officer Perez was selected and redeployed to Iraq as part of the 1st Marine Division General's protection detail.  While guarding the General his unit was ambushed by an IED attack where he sustained serious wounds. Officer Perez was medically evacuated back to the United States where he completed his last few months with the Marine Corp receiving an honorable discharge and being awarded the Purple Heart.

To be close to family and to begin a family of their own Officer Perez and his wife moved back to Albuquerque.  Wanting to provide for his family and keeping to his patriotic duty, Officer Perez was employed as a member of the Special Response Team with the Department of Energy.  This position was tasked with guarding our nations nuclear materials and assets.  Officer Perez was trained by DOE instructors and officers of the Albuquerque Police Department SWAT team.  After talking and training with APD SWAT officers he realized his calling to become an officer and a member of the SWAT team himself.  Officer Perez joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 2006. At his first chance he tested and earned a position on the SWAT team.  

Out of his 9 years on the department serving the community, he has been on the SWAT team for 6 years.  He holds several instructor and specialty certifications along with multiple letters of commendation.  Officer Perez has assisted in over 500 high risk calls, rescued many citizens from imminent danger, and has instructed his fellow officers in a wide variety of tactics and department policies.  Officer Perez and his wife have been happily married since 2002 and have 3 beautiful children, 2 daughters and a son.  Officer Perez is a loving husband and father.  He is a man of integrity and follows his core principles of Honor, Courage and Commitment.