Doroteo Gahol “Doye” DelaCruz, Jr., age 60, of Malvern, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026 at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock. He was born August 6, 1966, in Las Vegas, NV, to the late Doroteo DelaCruz, Sr. and Bobbie (Little) Fitzhugh. He was a member of the Malvern High School Class of 1984.

He was a Captain for the Malvern Police Department. His life was dedicated to serving others. Long before he wore the badge for MPD, he answered the call to serve his country. He proudly served in the United States Navy as an FMF Corpsman, including service during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After his military service, he continued his commitment to his community through a career with the Malvern Police Department. His service was about far more than a uniform or a title. It was about people, family, community, and leaving things better than he found them.

Outside of law enforcement, he was a devoted family man. He was a father, and those who knew him knew how important his family was to him. His commitment to young people also extended well beyond his own family. He spent approximately 30 years volunteering as a youth coach with football at Wilson as well as Jr. Babe Ruth Baseball and more than two decades serving with the Boys and Girls Club. He was a strong supporter of the Girl Scout Organization.

He proudly served his community through organizations including the Lions Club where he served as President at one time and the VFW, where he was a lifetime member.

Captain DelaCruz wore more than one uniform during his life. Sailor. Corpsman. Police Officer. Captain. Coach. Mentor. Father. Friend. Each one represented another chapter of a life dedicated to serving others.

He is preceded in death by his father, Doroteo DelaCruz Sr.; mother, Bobbie (Little) Fitzhugh; father, James Fitzhugh; and sister, Lisa Erwin.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 18 years, Sarah (Brooks) DelaCruz; daughter, Sadie DelaCruz of Malvern; sons, D.J. DelaCruz of San Francisco, CA, Anthony DelaCruz of El Paso, TX, Eric Martinez (Crystal) of Corpus Christi, TX, and Dallas DelaCruz of San Antonio, TX; sisters, Samantha Fitzhugh Henard of Malvern, and Candy Busby Young (Darwin) of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Austyn DelaCruz, Eric Martinez, and Aleena Martinez; as well as a host of other family members.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 1, at 2:00 PM, at Second Baptist Church with Bro. Dave Holland and Chief Donnie Taber officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM prior to service.

Family burial will take place October 2, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial may be made to Malvern Boys and Girls Club or Malvern Police Department.

Arrangements are by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guest book at regencyfuneralhome.com.