Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ruben was my mentor as a young CHP Officer. He taught me so much. He will be forgotten.

Lieutenant
CHP

October 20, 2024

Ruben Fred Rios badge # 8592 and I worked many graveyard shifts together in Fontana on I-10 and in the Fontana county area roads. He was the coolest guy I ever served side by side with. We ran into each other at stores where he was helping his parents shop. Ruben Jr was usually with him and was learning to grow as his dad showed in how to. We avoided getting hit by a DUI at an accident in Cucamonga as I layed flares. I warned him and we both got clear before the DUI ran the flare pattern and hit our unit.
He was also my backup on high speed chase in 1984 as we chased robbery suspects at 135 mph.
Missing him is always a memory that never goes away.

RIP Ruben

Vic Stevens, CHP# 7998(ret.)
California Highway Patrol

October 27, 2019

RIP Sir

Ex spouse CHP officer
CHP

October 27, 2019

Semper Fi CHPY. You are remembered. God bless you and your family.

State Traffic Officer 7185 and United St
California Highway Patrol/San Jose area

October 27, 2019

Driving past your memorial sign...a heartfelt salute to you.

Let. T. Reid
LASD(retired)

May 26, 2019

Reuben,
I dispatched for you for many years. You were the best. You were also a good family man taking care of your mother for a long time. I had great admiration and respect for you. You are missed.

Linda
Retired CHP dispatcher

February 21, 2019

Reuben:
We were beat partners from 1984 until 1996, I was working the OZZ fest with you that faithful night. You and I had dinner at IHOP just hours before that tragic event. You taught me how to do the job with compassion and professionalism. You are respected and admired by all who were lucky enough to know you. I think about almost every day and I miss you terribly.

Rich Hagen
Retired CHP

February 15, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. We remember and honor you on the 21st anniversary of your E.O.W. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

October 26, 2017

You were a great officer to dispatch for. You were highly respected and are dearly missed.

L. W.
CHP dispatch

August 11, 2017

Anytime an officer goes down in the line of duty my heart is filled with sorrow. I am not in law enforcement but I feel a deep connection with all who wear a badge and serve unconditionally. They serve and sacrifice daily. Officer Rios gave the ultimate sacrifice his life. May God continue to comfort his family and friends and to all of you who wear the badge may God protect as you serve and protect complete strangers. Law enforcement lives matter.

Barry Wallace

November 7, 2016

Reuben I think of you often and I still cannot believe you are gone. You were a great graveyard partner and I will cherish our time in the unit together. Rest in peace my dear friend.

Roy A Smith, Sgt., Retired, #9044
California Highway Patrol

January 20, 2016

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

Dearest Reuben: I left a message for Junior on Friday at Berdoo. We all still remember that night. Rocky Hamilton called me Friday and we chatted just to be in touch. Dan Maloney stopped by today and he remembered too. It was so nice to have those guys share their thoughts with me.

You will NEVER be forgotten!! You were a dear, kind man and friend. I remember working PAO assignments from both our departments and we would laugh about getting paid to share about our jobs with the public (and we enjoyed it...even though you were shy. Once I got started talking you would jump in and we had a great time!!)

Miss you and love you, Junior, Irene and the rest of your family.

Always, LoVae

LoVae Pray Martines, Law Enf. Liaison
MADD, San Bernardino County

October 28, 2012

You were the first to respond to my Father's fatal accident caused by a drunk driver on I 10 in 1978. I looked you up after reading the accident report you wrote. I'm sorry you had to die at the hands of a drunk driver like he did. RIP.

LT

August 4, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Rios. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Bro:

Today, on Facebook, the Son of one of Your Partners (Bill Tarris #8606), found me.

You are most - certainly NOT forgotten.

May Both of You, Rest - In - Peace.

Michael B. Parlor

September 22, 2009

Rueben,
Sir, I have never met you, but have always remembered the night of your EOW. I was working Mojave that evening and heard the broadcast from Barstow Dispatch on the scanner in my patrol unit. Just last month, I met your brother Richie, he and I worked a Fire Assignment together. He is a fine man and talks very proudly of you and also your CHP officer son. You will not be forgotten, so rest easy and keep watch over your brothers in blue.

Dusty Engel
Kern County SO Retired

September 24, 2008

You were honored on the website today! You wore the uniform proudly and
served bravely and for that, WE THANK YOU!!!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

September 13, 2008

hello...
i met u many times when i was younger. my dad was with u when u went eow at ozzfest... ruben, he was in so much pain... he misses u constantly, still has a picture on the wall of you... u would be so proud of him now, he retired after 28 years as chp (75M1) and now works as a deputy for sbsd... just cant take a break :). ruben i think about that night a lot, when we got that call in the middle of the night... i used to beg him all the time after that to give up the motor, to be safer, and he refused. now after he does his time at the jail, he wants to be a motor in the city... wish he wouldnt, but its in his blood... please, please watch over him if he does... i love him and need him so much, i cant even begin to imagine the pain of ur family and others who have lost loved ones while they were serving... i went to ur memorial a year after ur eow... i hope u know people still think about you every day... have a happy thanksgiving and i hope u and ur fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters know that u are always in our hearts and minds...

r.h.
sbsd

November 22, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 21, 2007

Your EOW was 11 years ago today and you served
double that time. Now some states have the law where
you must move over a lane if there is a LE vehicle off to
the side of the road. Maybe it could have saved you.
But on second thought, if drunks break one law, whose
to say they wouldn't break another. So sorry your career
was cut short and you never got the opportunity to serve
with your son. Thank you for the impact that your service had on our highways.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

October 26, 2007

Hey Reuben ..Keep resting easy knowing the Blue and Gold NEVER forgets our own ..God Bless All

DB
Calif Hwy Patrol..Ret.

October 26, 2007

G-d Bless.

October 26, 2006

Ten years ago today. I often travel the memorial portion of the freeway that bears your name and think of what happened that night. I didn't know you, but I want to thank you for your service, dedication and ultimate sacrifice. Godspeed.

Sgt. T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA.

October 26, 2006

I worked with Officer Rios at car accidents with our tow services, he was a good man and he will not be forgotten.

We will all miss you, and I am praying for you and your family.

Curtis Ewers
Tri City Towing S.B.

March 7, 2006