|
Statement Before the United States House of Representatives.
By the Honorable Devin Nunes,
In Recognition
of Rudy Vargas, talented artist
Statement in Congressional Record,
Dated November 2003, Washington DC
California Legislature Assembly Resolution
By the Honorable Bill Maze, 34th Assembly District.
In Recognition
of Rudy Vargas for use of considerable
talents and contributions to the People of the State of California.
Dated
November 11, 2003
Member Resolution No. 2599
Sacramento, California
Central California Mariachi
Heritage Foundation
"Rayo De Lune" Award
Honoring Latinos in the Arts, Artist Rudy Vargas
Dated October
11, 2003
Visalia, California
Rudy, you are truly amazing! You captured Officer Green in "Green
America" down to the very last detail. This painting shall truly be a family heirloom forever. Thank you for the time
you took to give us this priceless memento...
Julie
These paintings come from the soul of one who knows.
My husband was killed in the line of duty January 1998. Rudy was there for him and has been here for me.Through his paintings
I see the honor and the valor of being an officer because he paints from the heart. His paintings keep my memories alive.
Merrily Rapozo
I too am a veteran of a law enforcement career, mine goes back to 1958. With the exception
of SWAT, been there-done that! I commissioned Rudy to produce a painting commemorating my daughter's memorial services following
her lingering illness with cancer. Rudy is, without a hint of hesitation or reservation, a highly accomplished artist who
can just reach and grab you by the heart strings.
Thank you Rudy
Ken Billick
I am a 21 year veteran
of law enforcement, 16 of which I have spent on a tactical unit. I was honored to be the subject of one of Rudy Vargas' portraits
called "Justice Is Comin" (I am the swat cop on the far right.) I believe Rudy's knowledge and first hand experience
of the tactical world allowed him to capture 4 members of our team in their true spirit. Each of the 3 deputies I am pictured
with have been identified in their own individual way. Rudy captured the swagger of a confident warrior, the small smile of
the swat deputy who has been in combat before and the determined look of the tactical officer who knows he must complete his
mission. These are the deputies Vargas has brought to canvas for others who have worn the heavy vest and kevlar helmet to
identify with. Unless you have been there, you don't know what its like. Rudy has been there and through his art others will
be there too.
Jack Amoroso
Kings Co. Sheriff's Office
SWAT
I had the honor of serving with
Rudy as my S.W.A.T. team leader for four years. As a fellow former member of the United States Marine Corps, Rudy not only
personifies the ideal police officer, but genuine leadership ability and purpose and dedication. His art comes not only from
his vast experience but from his heart and soul. Semper Fi.
J. M. Chamberlain
Visalia P.D.
SWAT I had the pleasure
of meeting Rudy Vargas during National Police Week 1999. It is a great honor for me to have an opportunity to tell you how
his artwork has touched my life. As a law enforcement officer for the past 22 years, I don't recall ever seeing artwork that
depicts the detailed emotions that Rudy seems to capture in his work. When I asked him to do something special to commemorate
this year's Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo, he came up with "Cultivation of Courage". The day it arrived, I was
so overwhelmed that it brought tears to my eyes. Rudy is a truly gifted artist. It is obvious that a piece of his heart is
in very print. Thank you Rudy.
Sincerely,
Joan Donnelly, President
South Florida Concerns of Police Survivors
On September
the 8th, 1997 at 1:30 A.M. a knock on our door began a nightmare that would change our lives forever. A Deputy from the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department and an Officer from the Reedley Police Department were there to inform us that Deputy Jeff Isaac,
our son and brother, had been in an auto accident while on-duty and was being airlifted to University Medical Center in Fresno.
Upon arrival at UMC, we were told that Jeff was having a rough time while in surgery. Many Deputies and Officers filled
the hallways surrounding the waiting room. Sheriff Magarian joined us in praying that Jeff would pull through. He did not.
At approximately 5 A.M. the doctor told us that Jeff had died of massive internal injuries.
Our family takes great pride
in being deeply rooted in law enforcement. I am a retired Parole Agent, Greg our youngest son and brother to Jeff is a Deputy
for the Fresno County Sheriff's Department and my son-in-law is a Parole Agent. As you might imagine my wife and daughter
have had their share of cop stories.
I met Rudy about one year ago at a COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) meeting in
Selma. That was my first chance to see his paintings. My son has been gone now for 4 ½ years and I still have an emptiness
that I felt Rudy could help fill. I asked Rudy to do a painting, which included two sons, my grandson, son-in-law and myself.
He named the painting "Behind The Red Light", how appropriate. Rudy, God has given you a special talent and a compassionate
heart and I thank him for that. I have been blessed by getting to know you.
Sincerely,
Leon Isaac,President
Central
California Concerns of Police Survivors
Quick Gallery Intersection |
|
|
|
Rudy Vargas Illustration
Copyright 1999-2010 
|
American
flag over Balad Ruz, Iraq Rudy Vargas
would like to thank the following
warriors for such a special gift; Teresa Maurer and the
crew of the Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter; Coy Pennington, Pilot in Command Jeremy N. Horton, Co-Pilot Trevor Pack, Crew Chief Thank you!
A Testimonial
to Ed Brett Chan
Fresno P.D In
July, 2006, long time street cop, Ed Brett Chan, was killed by a drunk driver. Days after his death, Rudy was contacted by
Ed’s oldest son, Al, and asked to give the Eulogy for his father’s services.
It goes thus;
On behalf
of Brett’s mother Virgie and his children Al, Nick and Robin, We would like to thank each and every one of you for your
show of support today.
The man went by Brett, Ed, Eddie and Pug. When he gained a little weight, to annoy him, I called
him Well Fed Ed. I can’t repeat what he called me. This was our friendship, it was raw and political correctness was
not part of it. In all honesty, I’ve cleaned this up quite a bit, but if I slip, I’m certain the man upstairs
will give me a pass.
I knew him as Ed and I’ll tell you who he was to me.
My name is Rudy Vargas; I am a former
Visalia Police Officer and worked closely with Ed as his partner in the Special Enforcement Unit and SWAT. These were his
last assignments prior to him leaving for Fresno PD in the late 90’s. Visalia’s loss was Fresno’s gain.
Ed was one hell-a street cop!
I first met Ed in 1988. He was working as a street cop patrolling an area in Visalia
cops commonly referred to as “Sin City.”
Our meeting was such;
Officer Chan had me spread eagle on
my ride, searching my person, while performing a “Joe Friday” interrogation. He held on to me for a long time
because he just knew I was up to no good, and I was. Ed ran me for warrants every way possible. He checked me for track marks
and 11550 (under the influence of narcotics) and it was the radio traffic that alerted a command staff member to my situation.
This staff member responded to the scene and instructed Ed to cut me loose. I could see a frost appearing over Ed’s
behind, he had no choice but to cut me loose. He told me, “I’ll be looking out for you”, as he handed back
my false identification. With a smirk on my face, I told him “Have a nice day Officer”.
I recognized early
on that Ed’s observation skills, tenacity, and outright care for the community were without question a cut above.
I was a new face in a crime ridden area and he immediately scoped me out and took action to find out who the heck I was.
Unbeknownst to Ed, I was working a year long undercover operation, and I had just been schooled as to why the crooks always
told me,
“Watch out for Chan”.
Months later, the operation came to an end and was exposed to the public
by a roundup and media coverage. On this day, I was able to tour a portion of the police department, other than a holding
cell. The first person I ran into was Officer Chan. With a two fisted grab of my dirty wife beater shirt, he said, “You
SOB, you don’t know how bad I wanted you. I still remember that smirk on your face when I had to cut you loose”.
I told him, “You’re a good cop Officer Chan”. And with the same smirk on my face I asked, “Can we
be friends?” And as he let me go and brushed me off, he said, “Hell Yeah, Dude!”
This was the kind
of cop Ed was.
As we began to work together Ed and I found we shared many common interests.
We were both Marines
and we often cracked on each other about who had it harder, but if a sailor tried get some of that action, together, we ate
him for lunch!
We both loved SWAT and Ed was the most progressive and resourceful member I knew. He was always looking
for a better way of doing things.
Ed loved his kids deeply and I can say from personal knowledge he would do anything
for them. He would and he did lay everything on the line for his kids and I am witness to this.
While partnered up on
The Special Enforcement Unit we would often stop by his mom Virgie’s place to check on her. Virgie would give us a little
something, something to eat or drink and with a mothers comfort, sent us on our way.
After Ed left Visalia PD we lost
touch. I went on to experience my own tragedies and even though we lost touch, one of the first persons there to show support
and offer comfort was my old partner Eddie, he never let me down.
And this was the kind of man he was.
The citizens
of Visalia and the citizens of Fresno reaped the benefits of having Officer Chan patrolling their streets.
And with every
drop of my blood, I stand before you here today and ask every soul in this house to lay this man to rest with the utmost Dignity, Honor and Respect.
Thank you,
Eulogy,
Monday, July 24, 2006
Rudy Vargas 
My
name is Bill Brown and I have been a police officer for 25 years in Weymouth, Massachusetts and I am currently assigned to
the Special Operations Division of my department, in the motorcycle unit. I am also one of the founders, and on the Board
of Directors, of the Massachusetts Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. I recently heard of Rudy through a good friend
of mine on the Miami Beach PD, who works with me in Washington, DC each year counseling children who have lost parents in
the line of duty. She told me of a work that Rudy had just completed illustrating of a motor
officer. I called Rudy and requested that he send
me one of the limited edition, which he did. I
have to say that I was very impressed and happy with Rudy's work. The print is hanging in my office and has drawn many favorable
comments in the short time that it has been hanging there. It especially means a lot to me because my little boy is just like
Rudy's son, who is pictured in the print. He loves anything to do with police and police motorcycles in particular. I am really looking forward to seeing some of Rudy's other work
and will be more than happy to refer people to his works. Keep up the great work, Rudy. Policing needs the type of exposure
that you give it.
Bill Brown
|
