The Latham family has found an ally in State Senator and retired game warden Peter Flores.
Richard Latham is a customs officer, who was abducted in 1984 from the Del Rio International Bridge and hours later was killed near Eagle Pass.
His daughters, Susan, Beth and Lori are working to keep their father’s killer, Juan Calderon-Velasquez in prison. Calderon-Velasquez plead guilty to the crime and has served 36 years of a life sentence.
Flores is now trying to get help from United States Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, who represent Texas.
“These agents defending our borders serve and sacrifice for us,” said Flores, from Midland, Texas, where President Donald Trump signed a series of initiatives to support the oil and gas industry Wednesday. “Letting the man who killed Richard Latham roam free is wrong.”
Flores has sent a strongly worded letter to Cornyn and Cruz. “Calderon-Velasquez should not be able to leave prison a free man. He forfeited that privilege when he, in full control of his thoughts and passions, kidnapped and murdered a federal law enforcement officer. For the sake of the Latham family and Del Rio community, I ask that you do everything in your power to reverse this parole decision. This man admitted his guilt; he is a danger to public safety if released,” Flores wrote to the two U.S. Senators from Texas.
Latham’s daughters are appreciative.
“The Latham daughters really are thankful one of our elected officials is taking a stand on their behalf,” said Sharon Ansick, Latham family spokesperson. “They were afraid their pleas were falling on deaf ears, until Sen Flores stood up for them and went to bat.”
Flores said it’s just one law enforcement officer taking care of his community. “I spent 27 years wearing the uniform of a game warden and I care deeply about anyone wearing the uniform,” Flores said. “I lost colleagues in the line of duty — I know the pain and hurt associated with the loss of a fellow law enforcement member. I will do everything possible to stand up for one of their families.”
