Remembering Lance Cpl. Alberto Lucio

Photo By Lance Cpl. Hope Straley | A photo of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alberto Lucio is displayed during a memorial service at Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 13, 2021. Lucio, a military police officer with the Provost Marshal's Office, Security and Emergency Services Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton, was killed early Dec. 6. Lucio, who was on his way to work, had stopped on Interstate Highway 5 to help the driver and passenger of a single-vehicle collision when he was struck by a passing vehicle. Lucio, 20, was a native of Smithville, Tennessee. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hope Straley)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

12.13.2021

Story by Lance Cpl. Hope Straley 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

It was around 3:20 a.m., Dec. 6, when U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Lucio, a military police officer assigned to the Provost Marshal's Office, Security and Services Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, was driving down Interstate Highway 5 on his way to his shift at work. Along the way, he noticed a single-car collision. Acting in the way he had been trained, both as a Marine and a law enforcement officer, he stopped his vehicle and rushed to aid the passengers in the vehicle.

Unbeknownst to him, the oncoming traffic could not see the accident. In a tragic turn of events, Lucio was struck by another vehicle resulting in grave injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lucio’s friends, family and coworkers remember him with joy. Lance Cpl. Gerardo Morales, a military police officer assigned to PMO, was close to Lucio.

“I'm not sure when I became friends with Lucio,” said Morales. “The more we hung out the closer we grew, to the point I considered him more of a brother. There was so much more to Lucio. He would tell me stories about singing in church with his father and how he was always in the kitchen with his mother, wondering when the next meal was going to be. Lucio wanted nothing more than to prove himself to his family.”

Lucio left an impact on Morales' entire family, even from a distance. “My family never got to meet Lucio,” he said. “My family shed tears alongside me at the news of his passing. My life will never be the same without him.”

Whether it be a friend or a member of his unit, Lucio was a Marine his leaders remember with a smile on their faces. Staff Sgt. Joshua Feraud, Lucio’s platoon sergeant with PMO, recalls the dread he felt listening to the radio, hearing one of his Marines’ names.

“This kind of event is expected in our line of work,” said Feraud. “There’s just a different feeling when you hear your own Marine’s name attached to the fatality. Lucio was a special kid and I know he would feel happy knowing this is how the events were going to fall out that morning. This is what Marines do; we save people. Lucio wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

Lucio’s platoon commander, 1st Lt. Josh Woolard, had nothing but praise for his Marine.

“There wasn’t a time when I didn’t see Lucio smiling,” said Woolard. “The first time I met him he had that smile on his face. From personal observation, it was evident he had tons of friends and was loved by so many. He showed courage, selflessness, and a willingness to serve. His final act is one that will be looked up to every day.”

Undoubtedly, Lucio left an impact wherever he went. He is survived by his wife and parents. Lucio gave his life in an effort to help others, displaying the highest form of Marine Corps values and honor.

• Date Taken: 12.13.2021
• Date Posted: 12.23.2021 13:50
• Story ID: 411231
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US