Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R.I.P. Deputy Rivera, we're keeping you, your family and all our brothers and sisters with the Broward County Sheriff's Office in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and keep you in his loving care as we remain " Standing Tall For Those Who Have Fallen "

Corporal James Barth
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard,Tampa, Fla.

September 22, 2013

A police officer should be remembered not by how he died, but how he lived! A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace Brother.

Anonymous

September 22, 2013

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.


Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

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

September 22, 2013

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

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

September 22, 2013

May the Lord bless you while you now patrol the heavens as one of the Lords angels. I pray God bring peace and comfort to your family and peers my brother.

JCOS TW Martinez
CYFD/JJS State of New Mexico

September 22, 2013

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

September 22, 2013

Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy

S. I. Drake, Lt. IPD (Ret)
Indianapolis Police

September 22, 2013

Rest in Peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

Sgt. Kevin Kratz
Buena Vista Twp Police Dept (Michigan)

September 22, 2013

Thank you for your time of service. I salute you and your family.

Randalyn Benson
Survivor Daughter of Chief James Leonard Speer

September 22, 2013

RIP Deputy Rivera

Resident of Malden, MA

September 22, 2013

Your years of dedicated service and concern for mankind are truly recognized and are so much appreciated. May the riches of God's peace and comfort surround the Rivera family at this time and in the years to come.

Lieutenant R.A. McLeod
Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh, NC

September 22, 2013

May our Lord bring comfort and peace to Deputy Riviera's family. fellow officers, and family friends. Thank you for your years of service and may you rest in peace.

Jan Taylor, Det, Retired
Dallas P. D.

September 22, 2013

Thank you for your service. RIP brother in blue. Our staff will be praying for family & friends during this time.

Commander Joe Taylor
Crusaders Outreach Ministries

September 22, 2013

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now. Thank you for all your years of service. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Rivera during this time of tragic loss.

Senior Patrolman Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) P.D.

September 22, 2013

May the good lord welcome you with open arms, for you have done your job well.

Reserve Deputy Douglas J. Maykowski
Macomb County Sheriff Mt. Clemens Michigan

September 22, 2013

May God bring great comfort and peace to this officer's family as well as the family at the BCSO. God bless each of you.

Chaplain Mark Campbell
Morristown Police Department
Morristown, Tennessee

September 22, 2013

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF DEPUTY SHERIFF RIVERA, AND ALL THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF DEPUTY SHERIFF RIVERA .
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
HIS SERVICE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND HIS DEEDS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS

Ret PO David Herbert
Toronto Police Service Ontario Canada

September 22, 2013

May you rest in peace my brother!

Sheriff Jeff Hardy
Putnam County Sheriff's Office (Florida)

September 22, 2013

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" Matt 5-9. Go in peace Deputy Rivera. Your time on earth has ended and now begins your life eternal with the Father in Heaven.

Chaplain Robert Duvall
Winters Ca Police Department

September 22, 2013

Rest in Peace Sir.............................

Officer Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worth PD, Texas

September 22, 2013

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Rivera rest in peace you are
now a member of an elite group The Thin Blue Line
of Heroes. There is no greater sacrifice that one can give
for his fellow man. To the Family I salute your lost loved
one, and pray for you during the days to come. Daniel will
be in the company of heroes forevermore.

The Thin Blue Line of the Fallen are Standing at
attention in their class “A“ uniforms,badges gleaming and
shoes like glass, They are your brothers and sisters of
Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the
ultimate price. Today, like many others, they welcome you
to this hallowed place. As you march down the Thin Blue
Line of the Fallen, all eyes are focused on you as if to
say it will be ok you’re with your eternal partners.
A salute follows and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well. Now come join the ranks, another
member of The Thin Blue Line has come home.

Your Brother in Law Enforcement

Dr Stan phillips, Usa Ret, Ms., Bs.
Walnut Grove Mississippi Police Dep Ret

September 22, 2013

R.I.P. Deputy Rivera, and thank you for your service to the people of Broward County. You are a true hero, and will never be forgotten.

Taylor Ramerth
Citizen of Chandler, Arizona

September 22, 2013

Rest well my brother for your sacrifice was not in vain. As you take the watch in heaven we've got it from here. May God bless the family both physical and law enforcement with peace and comfort.

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Rev. Carlos Stapleton
Chaplain, Jackson Co. TN SO

September 22, 2013

RIP Sir. Thank you for you service. To young to pass.

Beth Casebolt
Sebring PD, Retired

September 22, 2013

R.I.P. my brother, may God watch over your family, friends, & co-workers.

Deputy H. King
Cook County Sheriff's Dept. (Greater Chicago Area)

September 22, 2013