On October 27, 2008 Officer Luis Lopes-Serrao was awarded with the first ever Purple Heart Award commendation. On September 21, 2008 Officer Luis Lopes-Serrao was sent to assist the Rothschild Police Department at a bar fight at The Bar in Rothschild. On his arrival he gave chase by foot to two individuals leaving the scene. The suspect, Joshua Matsche, got into a vehicle and intentionally struck Officer Lopes-Serrao with the vehicle before leading Everest Metropolitan Police in a high speed vehicle pursuit which resulted in a crash in Weston. Officer Lopes-Serrao suffered injuries to his head, leg and waist but returned to duty a week later.
