The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Mortgage Payoff program will clear the home loans of two El Monte Police Department families whose loved ones died in the line of duty. The nonprofit announced it will pay off the remaining mortgage balances for the spouses and children of Cpl. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana. Both officers were shot and killed on June 14, 2022, while responding to a reported stabbing at the Siesta Inn motel in El Monte. The families of Paredes and Santana have since faced the sudden loss of household income and the stress of mounting mortgage payments. The foundation’s Fallen First Responder Home Program aims to ensure surviving spouses never worry about home loans again and that their children keep the stability of a mortgage-free home.
Foundation’s Mortgage Payoff Effort for Families
Under its Fallen First Responder Home Program, Tunnel to Towers covers the full remaining mortgage balance for survivors of first responders killed in the line of duty. Foundation Chairman Frank Siller said the move honors the officers’ sacrifice while alleviating financial burdens for their widows and children. “No family should face losing their home after losing a loved one in service,” he said at a charity golf event in San Dimas. Funds for these mortgage payoffs are raised through public donations, corporate partners and signature events such as charity runs and golf tournaments. The foundation was founded in 2002 after FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller’s death on September 11, 2001, and has since expanded its mission from building mortgage-free homes for 9/11 families to aiding all fallen first responders and veterans.
Program Supports Mortgage Needs of Officer Families
Cpl. Michael Paredes served 22 years with the El Monte Police Department and is survived by his wife, Janine, a daughter and a son. Officer Joseph Santana, 31, joined the department after three years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and is survived by his wife, a daughter and twin boys. Both families have cited the foundation’s support as a beacon of hope. Board member Jack Oehm noted that while Tunnel to Towers cannot replace the officers, it can “ease the financial burden for their families” and allow loved ones to focus on healing. For more information, visit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://tunneltotowers.org.
Local Community Acknowledges Mortgage Payoff Heroes
El Monte city officials and residents have praised Tunnel to Towers for its commitment. Mayor Jessica Ancona said the program reflects the community’s gratitude toward Paredes and Santana, who “gave everything to keep us safe.” Local law enforcement agencies have also expressed support, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department posting messages of solidarity on social media. “This gift of a mortgage-free home is a lasting legacy for two heroes who lived to serve,” said Sheriff Alex Villanueva. The families will receive official notification of their mortgage payoffs in the coming weeks, along with continued support services from the foundation. As the community remembers Cpl. Paredes and Officer Santana, this program stands as a testament to the promise that those who give their lives in service will never be forgotten.
