Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP You will never be forgotten by the ones who knew and loved you.Your legacy will live on.

Anonymous

October 11, 2008

While stopping by to visit, I made a tough realization -- my badge number too is 1168. My dad and brother are SAPD (retired and patrol respectively) and I remember the February you were taken from us all. Ironically, 3 years later, a number connected us when I became a sister in blue.
I hope that I can honor you by representing 1168 well -- as it is an honor to bear the same badge number. Watch over us all....you are our hero!

Miller
cppd

May 22, 2008

Thankyou OFFICER RIOJAS for your service and sacrifice. You are a true hero to us all and will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 28, 2008

"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

February 25, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE, GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 29, 2008

Rocky, I will never forget you. I know that your death really must have been very hard on your really close freinds as well as your family. Though I only knew you for a few years, I admired you and how close you were to your family. I will always remember our special times in the Alaska wilderness at my lodge among good freinds. I will always treasure the video and photos that you sent me. I could tell how much your Brothers in Blue loved and respected you. I wish I could speak to your Mother and Father and tell them what a great man I thought you were, and how you made me laugh so hard sometimes that I could hardly breathe!! My sympathy goes out to your wife, and I would also hope to one day meet your children. I am sure they will always hear of you as a well respected and much loved Father,Husband,Son,Brother, and Freind. P.S. I hope to hear from some of your freinds and family, to exchange more memories of you. YOUR FREIND From ALASKA,
Ron Loustau

"Ranger"Ron Loustau
Freind from Alaska

March 23, 2007

To Patrolman John Anthony (Rocky) Riojas and his loved ones:

On this the sixth year anniversary week after your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is still with your family. You’re all in our thoughts and our prayers.

Rocky, you rescued us, saved our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Rocky. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Rocky gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 3, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 4, 2007

Sometimes you get the bad guy and sometimes he
gets you.
The shot that killed you also killed a part of us.
It killed a part of your family, both at work and at home.
It killed your dreams, your hopes, your future.
But it must not kill our determination to make this
world a better place or our will to make a difference.
America's streets must be running red with blood with
all the deaths of leos. Every time I come here to leave
a reflection, I feel like my words get emptier and emptier. I am truly
sorry for your loss...a loss too great
for words.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 3, 2007

LIFE WAS TO SHORT FOR YOU. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A HERO TO MANY.
I AM SURE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE 6 YEARS HAVE GONE BY FOR YOUR FAMILY.
AS SURVIVORS, WE ALWAYS THINK OF "WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN" AND IT HURTS THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE OUT YOUR LIFE.
GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM COMFORT AND STRENGTH.

MOTHER OF A 2001 FALLEN OFFICER.

February 3, 2007

On this, the anniversary of your death, you are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

CO HEATHER JENKINS
COVINGTON LA PD

February 3, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this day. I hope that individuals from the police department assist this officers family in every way they can, especially through the court process and future court dates up until the individual responsible for all this pain is finally eliminated from our society. Continue to watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

February 3, 2007

Thank you for your service. I know that my husband could be taken from me as quickly as you were from your family. I feel safe knowing he is out there trying to get the "bad guys" off the street. I wish there was no need for this website but as long as there is criminals, this site will have so many heroes that lost the battle. I am so sorry for your loss. Your memory will live on through those that not only knew you but the entire law enforement family.

leo wife

January 30, 2007

NEVER forgotten, always honored for making the supreme sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 25, 2007

I am sorry to lose you brother, we learned about you from our instructor, B. Lively, and he taught us to learn from fallen officers as they always have a last lesson to teach us. Rest assured that you will always be remembered in our hearts and minds. Please watch over us from heaven and know that we are continuing the job for you down here. Rest in peace brother.

Matt S. officer
Texas peace officer

January 17, 2007

Remembering you on the 5th
anniversary of your death. I'm happy
they caught your murderer and he
will pay with his life, but it is small
consolation for taking yours. It doesn't bring you back. Your life is
remembered and your sacrifice is
not forgotten.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 3, 2006

Rocky, it was a pleasure knowing you. I am only sorry that we did not have more time to get to know each other. Keep a close eye on all of us down here and we will meet again in time.

Sgt. Keith Strasheim
Corpus Christi Police J.E.T. Gang Unit

November 15, 2005

Hello this is tammy beck from goliad, texas. I was in san.antonio when officer riojas got killed and i am so sorry to hear about his loss. he did a real good job as a police officer and i will miss him and i will keep his family and his fellow police officers in my prayers.

n/a

November 10, 2005

Hey Rocky, just wanted to let you know that your brothers in blue have not forgotten you! San Antonio SWAT is top notch and you would be proud of your brothers accomplishments! We will all see you again, and please keep watch over us in the streets! thanks and god bless. -Ono #562

Patrolman
Balcones Heights Police Department

April 3, 2005

It leaves me with a great sadness that another officer has left. I'm so lucky to be alive still, but we all know the risks. GOD had a reason for what has happened, we may not understand it now, but we will in the end. May you rest in peace among fellow brothers and sisters in heaven, for you died doing what you loved. 10-42 my brother.

Anonymous

I am currently attending school for a degree in Criminal Justice -- Law Enforcement. I have never been more impressed with a group of people more than the average civilian who, everyday, dones a uniform and stands as a wall between those who cannot defend themselves, and those who try to take advantage of, and cause harm to ordianry people.

Thank you to officers like Officer Roijas for giving the ultimate sacrifice. A special thank you to those who are family members to these officers, and my heart goes out to you. God Bless You All!

Ricky Tiernan.

N/A
N/a

MAY GOD BLESS AND CONTINUE TO GUIDE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS THROUGH THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. WE HAVE SURELY LOST A HERO. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER IN BLUE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the shift to the memory of a fallen officer. Tonight, February 3, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Patrolman John Anthony (Rocky) Riojas who died on this date in 2001.
When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Patrolman Riojas' sacrifice will never be forgotten

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

Rest easy knowing that the guilty will truly be punished for taking one of the angels who protect us from this world.

Your killer will never hurt anyone again, as he will pay the ultimate price for taking one of the protector's of a grateful society.

I thank God I am from a state that does the right thing to the scum who kill our police officers.

REST IN PEACE PATROLMAN RIOJAS

Grateful San Antonio Native

Badge # 1168 from the S.A.P.D, is out of service and retired at this time. A final salute goes to a very great officer that we lost on this world. Officer John A Riojas was one of the best officers I known in life. John A Riojas " Rocky " badge # 1168 will never be forgotten. Badge # 1168 is out of service and retired at this time, Brother you are 10-42. Rest in peace. And cant wait to see you again above. Rocky your family is in Gods hands.
Love The Bee County S.O

Anonymous

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous