Whittier, CA – Army Pfc. Matthew Perez, a paratrooper assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, tragically passed away on September 13, 2024, during a training accident. As his body made its way back home from Ontario International Airport to All Souls Cemetery and Mortuary in Long Beach, Perez’s family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers lined the 50-mile route to pay their respects.
Jose Perez, Matthew’s father, requested an additional stop on the route for his son to come home one last time. The community of Whittier came together to honor the fallen soldier, with Mayor Joe Vinatieri encouraging residents to line the procession route and show their support. Whittier Police Department officers escorted the cortege as it made its way through the city.
Family was everything to Perez, who had recently started a family with his wife Jessica and her daughter Sofia. The couple announced they were expecting their first child, due in late April. Perez is also survived by his parents, three siblings, and a tight-knit community that supported him throughout his military journey.
Perez joined the Army in 2023, following his graduation from La Habra High School. He volunteered for paratrooper training and completed basic training and Airborne School before being assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. The circumstances surrounding Perez’s death are still under investigation, with the Army yet to confirm if it was related to a parachute jump or another incident that occurred the same day.
A funeral with full military honors is scheduled for noon on Monday, September 30, at All Souls Cemetery and Mortuary. The community continues to mourn the loss of a hero and support his grieving loved ones during this difficult time.
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