Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family, friends and brother and sister officers of Officer Sergio Carrera,

My name is Officer Damian Jackson and I am a Police Officer and SWAT team member with the Escondido Police Department and the Senior Recruit Training Officer for the Palomar Police Academy, here in San Diego. About three years ago, I had a small idea that took off and became something very special and unique here at the academy. It started with Officer Isaac Espinoza of the San Francisco Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty in April of 2004…

As a police officer and father of three little girls, I wanted to make a point in our training about the realities behind our profession and how dear we hold our families and the sacrifices they make each day we venture out and confront evil on our streets. What started off as a reflection, then a training point, became a cause that we would do an extra push-up for in remembrance each time we hit the ground. It became a dedication and a purpose.
Officer Espinoza started a tradition here and became the first officer that we memorialized through our academy program. He was a man, husband, father and brother officer to honor and hold within our hearts and souls as we did this job and sent new officers out into to world to face what so many did before us. We started a new tradition of dedicating each and every academy class from that point forward, to a fallen officer from our state and to memorialize them forever within our halls and within our hearts so that no one will ever forget and all who come here will leave here and enter their careers with an extra blue angel guarding their journey. Class 12 dedicated their year of training in the honor and memory of Officer Isaac Espinoza of the SFPD and he has taken his place on our "Hall of Warriors." Through the efforts of the class and our new found mission, we were able to raise more than $12,000.00 to donate to Isaac's 4 year-old daughter's trust fund and make his family a special part of our graduation ceremony. It was something that neither I, nor anyone else who had a part of it will ever forget.

Classes have since dedicated their year of training in the honor and memory of Officer Tony Zeppetella, of the Oceanside Police Department, Officer Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg (CA) Police Department, Officer Dan Bessant of the Oceanside Police Department and Deputy Jeff Mitchell of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.

Class 17 of the academy is set to begin their training and I would be honored if you would allow us to dedicate Class 17 of the Palomar Police Academy - San Diego, in the honor and memory of Officer Sergio Carrera; your husband, father, son and brother, where he will forever be a part of our lives and will forever be with us as a warrior among our halls. I give you all the assurances that this effort is one of complete respect and our aim is solely to honor your family in this loss and show Sergio’s children that their father was a hero and I man forever admired and loved in this brotherhood.

As a cop and a father, it humbles me greatly and would honor me beyond words to be able to memorialize Sergio and serve your family in any way we could.

I thank you in advance and seek your blessing to do this and extend to you my deepest respect and pray that God be with you, protect you and comfort you in these tough times. Even all the way down here in San Diego, you have a family.

God bless.

Officer Damian Jackson
Escondido PD / Palomar Police Academy

December 15, 2007

Brother rest easy. We all miss you across the street @ the RFD.

firefighter
Rialto Fire

December 3, 2007

Big Serg. You are the kind of cop we all strive to be. You will be sorely missed brotha. Our prayers are with your family. God bless, see you on the other side.

Deputy Johnson
La County Sheriff's Dept.

December 3, 2007

Descansa en paz hermano, los heroes como tu viven por siempre, de parte del Departamento de Policia de la Ciudad de Manatí, les damos nuestras condolencias a la familia del Oficial Sergio Carrera,Por tu honesto Sacrificio... en tu HONOR continuaremos la batalla contra el crimen.

Sgt. Juan Padilla # 8-4554
Manati City Police, Puerto Rico

December 1, 2007

OFCR CARRERA,

I WAS SO SADDEN TO HAVE READ ABOUT YOUR DEMISE. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF SINCE THEN. THIS PAST SATURDAY, I WAS WATCHING AN EPISODE OF "COPS" AND I RECOGNIZED YOU AND NOT TO MENTION YOUR NAME. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, "WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS FACE AND HEARD/READ THIS NAME?" THEN IT DAWNED ON ME! AT FIRST I HAD MISTAKEN YOU FOR A FALLEN OFFICER IN FONTANA, BUT THEN, AFTER PONDERING ABOUT IT FOR DAYS, I REALIZED THAT YOU WERE THE OFFICER WHOSE LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE YOUR CITY JUST A LITTLE BIT SAFER! I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND I FELT THE NEED TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOUR WIFE, CHILDREN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I, TOO, WORK FOR MY CITY, ALTHOUGH NOT AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, BUT I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN SERVING MY CITY. I KNOW, THAT EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME YOUR LOVED ONES ARE STILL GRIEVING FOR THEIR LOSS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL THEY MEET WITH YOU AGAIN.

MAY GOD KEEP YOUR FAMILY STRONG AND MAY YOUR MEMORY LIVE ON IN THE HEARTS OF ALL FOREVER!!! REST IN PEACE OFFICER SERGIO CARRERA.

SR
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

November 30, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Sergio,

Just taking a moment to say a little prayer and let you know that you are not forgotten, especially on this day...I am thankful to have known you and to have worked with you, if even for an all-too brief period of time...Rest in Peace Safely in God's Arms

Kim Martin
Rialto Police Department, Friend/Coworker

November 22, 2007

Thank you for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

November 21, 2007

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to your entire family and friends. "A Hero does not become a Hero by their death, but by how they lived their life." God Bless!

Police Dispatcher Sara Singleton
Howard County Maryland Police Communications 911 Center

November 13, 2007

My heart goes out the family of Sergio. I was looking at another site and I stumbled on the name, And I said this can't Be. So I read on and come to find out the the fallen Officer, Was in one of my Classes in High School.

Michael Herbert
Fellow Friend

November 13, 2007

Officer Carrera

You have paid the ultimate sacrifice for your community, state, and county. You are a hero and inspiration to others. Rest easy now in Heaven above as we will carry on down here. The thin line line keeps getting thinner; Rest in Peace.

Douglas W. Bennett
Juvenile Probation Officer Ky Dept. of Juvenile Justice

November 9, 2007

I just wanted to send my condolences to his wife and little family. I am a co-worker of his neighbor Malinda Thomas who has been friends of Sergio and his wife. my heart goes out to you Mrs Carrera. you have touched our hearts here and there is not a day that dont go by that we dont ask how you are doing and your children. my prayer go out to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Dolores Torres

Dolores Torres
Redlands Citizen

November 8, 2007

Officer Carrera,

May your smile shine brightly in heaven as it did here on earth.

Peace and God blessings be with your family during this very tragic time. We at the department mourn your death as we lay to rest one of our own officers this week.

Jill Padilla
Ontario P.D. and resident of Beaumont

November 8, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with those
friends and family members left behind who
cannot follow...rest in peace my brother
in blue...we will take it from here.

Officer Adam F. Laser
Westminster City Police Department

November 6, 2007

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. -Albert Pine

Officer Carrera -- The sacrifice you made for your community will never be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Officer Carrera -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

November 2, 2007

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 29, 2007

Friend,

You protected those who needed protection, help those who needed help and saved many more than you may ever know. Spread your wings and watch over us that we may be able to do the same. I never met you, but i share your belief and passion. I will keep your family in prayer. Your son carries a name to be proud of....good luck buddy in your new mission.

Ofc. A. Luna
Cathedral City Police Department

October 29, 2007

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Carrera, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Sergio, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Sergio's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Sergio's life was about so much more than the way he died. Sergio will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Carrera, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost five years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 28, 2007

I am sorry to here of your lose. It is a tragidy to find out a fellow law enforcement officer has died in the line of duty. My prayers are with all of you.
Sgt. Siler
MSP EXPLORE
POST 590

Sgt. Aaron M. Siler
Michigan State Police Explorer

October 28, 2007

Mrs. Carrera and Family and Friends of Off. Carrera:

My condolences for your loss. Sounds like Sergio was a great guy and I know he will be sorely missed. You will be in my prayers.

Rhita Covello
Citizen/East Coast

October 28, 2007

I have so much respect and admiration for our police officers. Their job is an extremely difficult one, but they are professional at all times. A very strong group of men and women. Members of the SWAT team gave us a class recently and I found their intensity and enthusiasm to be contagious. That hour spent with the Rialto SWAT team made me want to be a better firefighter.

I will miss seeing Sergio. He was polite and kind and funny. I am very sorry for his family and fellow officers.

Eva, Firefighter
Rialto Fire Department

October 28, 2007

Rest in peace, Brother. Thank you for your service to the citizen's of Rialto.To the officers of the Rialto Police Department,please accept my condolences.

Sgt.BR Sexton
Okla.Dept.of Corrections

October 28, 2007

During the ceremony it is clear that your wife and young children will be well taken care of because the great friends you have made throughout your life. Your children will be proud of the man that you were while you walked this earth.

Rest in Peace... we'll take it from here!!!

Honor Guard
Riverside PD

October 28, 2007

When I woke up this Friday morning I thought to myself...if I dont get up time will stand still. I will not have to say good bye...but I know that wasnt going to happen. As I sat in the church looking at everyone with a different memory of you I just wanted this all to end. Im sure Im not the only one that wanted to cry out and pretend that this wasnt really happening... As we all gathered to your burial site I thought...is this what life is has left for us...just then shots rang out and the sound of hurt,pain,and sadness filled the air...as we all gasped for air 5 helicopters fly above...and I cant belive your gone. As everyone left I sat and watched the dirt rise and I still cant help the feeling of just wishing this wasnt happening. I know they say it gets easier in time but time is no more. You were truely the BEST by far. With every memory with every tear may you rest in peace my dear.

Family

October 27, 2007

Officer Carrera, words cannot describe the loss your wife and children, mother, father, siblings and extended family of the Rialto P.D. (not to mention the countless law enforcement officers and public)is experiencing at this time. I've been to way to many police officer's funerals and they never seem to get any easier to comprehend or deal with. My husband and I will pray for you and your family, know they will always be taken care of. I've never had the honor of meeting you, but I feel I've met you through the eyes and words of your dearest friends. Smile down and watch over us as we can only strive to be the police officer you've always been. God Bless you...

Officers James & Michele Dobbs
Rialto P.D./ C.H.P. Baldwin Park

October 27, 2007

I am so sorry for the loss of Officer Carrera.

Officer RM Taylor
US DOJ

October 27, 2007