A HIGHER CALIBER

With Over 20 Years as a USMC Sniper and Police Officer in Los Angeles, Victor Lopez is in His Element Educating Others to Be More Effective in Austere Environments

- John Schwartze

You might think that anyone who served as a combat sniper in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming a cop in the second-most populated city in the United States might be a grizzled old man with a chip on his shoulder. With a father who earned three purple hearts in Vietnam prior to entering police work on the infamously tough streets of Gary, Indiana, it might be in Victor Lopez's DNA to serve others and stay humble doing it. "He'd tell me, 'Treat everyone with respect regardless of what status you think they have," Lopez says. That same focus on patiently solving problems hasn't only helped Vic earn respect in his career, but also motivated him to teach others to avoid getting bogged down by ego and pride. Instead, he reminds students to keep their sights set on elevating their knowledge.

As the owner of Sierra Element, Vic has taken it upon himself to create a curriculum that can only come from hard-earned experience in some of the worst conditions imaginable. As crime continues to rise amidst an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric, both average civilians and officers are understandably seeking ways to up their performance behind the trigger to stay safe. Vic has lived his lyrics and is a hidden gem of tactical training that RECOIL OFFGRID felt needed to be brought to light. We spoke to him to see how he's combining military and law enforcement work into practical skills available to anyone.

RECOIL OFFGRID: Where did you grow up?

Victor Lopez: I grew up in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana. Joining the Marine Corps in 1994 brought me out to California.

What made you want to join?

VL: My dad was a Marine in Vietnam and then became a police officer in Gary, Indiana.

Did you go into the Marines wanting to become a sniper? What was sniper qualification like?