Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Rivera,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

July 11, 2020

Thank you Officer Rivera for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Illinois. You are a true American HERO. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

July 4, 2020

Praying for your family, friends, colleagues, agencies during this very difficult time for them and all of us. Thank you for your service! We shall remember you with pride and admiration always! May God Bless the Blue!

“The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 HCSB];

“Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4 HCSB], and;

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 HCSB]

Depart in peace, Sister-in-Blue; in the name of God the Father who created you; in the name of Christ Jesus who redeemed you; in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. May you rest in peace and dwell forever with the Lord. Amen.

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, CIMT, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed/Certified Independent Ecumenical Clergy / Chaplain
Ministry: Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS
Nashua NH and Merrimack NH Police Departments

July 1, 2020

To the family of Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera, friends, Sheriff Thomas Dart and the
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, IL
You are lifted up in heart, thought and prayer. May God comfort, hold you close and give you His peace that surpasses all understanding to keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus now and always. Thank you for your service!
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
" I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Patrolman A.S. Batson
CH / OB PD
Goldsboro, NC

June 24, 2020

may HIS light shine perpetual upon her face

Chief Jim Allen (retired)
Mobile County Child Support

June 24, 2020

On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera and the extended law enforcement family of the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, Illinois.



End of Watch Sunday, April 19, 2020.


Rest in Peace sister and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

June 23, 2020

Rest in peace sister. Thank you for your service.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden (Retired)

June 18, 2020

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

June 16, 2020

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Rivera. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

June 15, 2020

Thank you for your service. Prayers for your Family and your Deapertment.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore Police Department

June 15, 2020

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

Douglas J. Maykowski
Fraternal Order Of Police Central Macomb Lodge #187 Macomb County Mich

June 14, 2020

God bless you Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera! Thank you for your service with the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, and your service with the Choctaw Nation Police Department in Mississippi. Thank you for your work with the inmates at Cook County Jail in Chicago. We are all thankful to you for service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your loved ones!! We are so saddened by this terrible news and you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, and all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

June 13, 2020

On behalf of the Kentucky Peace Officers' Association please accept our condolences on the passing of Officer Rivera.

Chip Nowlin
President
Kentucky Peace Officers' Association

June 13, 2020

My sadness cannot begin to describe how I feel right now. My condolences to her family, friends, and fellow officers. She looked like a kind and loving person.
The following poem was written by me as a tribute to all who protect and serve.

The Badge

John 15:13 King James Version (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, (others).
The first responders wear a mask;
"Why?" Some may ask.
Because we believe in humanity.
Each of us, who laid our right hands
Upon the Bible, took an oath,
To protect and serve, this was
Our solemn troth.
Not only do Law-Enforcement,
Firefighters, and EMT's wear these
Badges of valor, but all whose
Reflections shine:
These are the Doctor's, Nurses,
PCT's, our Health Care providers,
Techs, Social Workers,
On down the line.
All of these precious lives do matter.

We knew, when we strapped
On our belts, we might not
Come home after our shift;
Each day could have been our last.
We are the role-models
And must pass on the eternal torch
Of self-sacrifice to our next generation.
We have quieted the child with tears;
We've sat with those those whose spirits
Needed a lift; we've cried with those who've
Suffered loss so they did not
Have to alone bare their heavy cross.
Love is an amazing gift.

We've been called by every name
Known to man;
Talked down those who've sought to maim
Whenever and whomever they can.
We've witnessed atrocities
Vengeful hearts,
Casting lots, and devising evil plots.
Yes, we lay down our lives everyday
To protect and serve.
We are the hero's ordained by God
Here on earth.
Say a little prayer for us,
And tell us you love us before
We walk out that door.

© Janice Bumbalough Marler
[email protected] 2020

I am a retired police officer. I am eighty years of age and now reside in Troy, Ohio. I graduated, in North Carolina, February 19, 1984-1994

June 13, 2020

Officer Rivera, what a beautiful, infectious smile you have! I like to imagine that you still have that smile and are looking down at your family, always. My deepest sympathy to them and to your Department. I am sure you are missed! I Thank you for your service to the Choctaw Nation Police Department and to the Cook County Correctional Department. You are gone way too soon. Rest in Peace, Sister.

Mary Milam
Sergeant (Ret)
Chicago Police Department

Flowery Branch, GA

June 13, 2020

Rest in Peace my sister.

Captain Bernard Flint
Department of Defense Police Division

June 12, 2020

God rest her soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

June 12, 2020

Rest in Peace

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

June 12, 2020

So sad to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends

Reserve Police Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

June 11, 2020

My family and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera during this difficult time. May they find comfort and support from those around them. May happy moments from the past bring forth precious memories to cherish for a lifetime. May God help heal their aching hearts. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera.

Gail M. Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit Police Officer Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04

June 11, 2020

Remembering my cousin Correctional Officer Sheila J. Rivera, who we dearly miss along with her goofy personality. Rest in Peace.

Michelle D. Graham

June 11, 2020

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

June 11, 2020

Officer Rivera, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. It took a small virus to take your life. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. May He immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

June 11, 2020

Rest in Peace Officer Rivera. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, coworkers and friends.

Lieutenant Robert T. Mote (ret)
Buena Park, CA Police Department

June 11, 2020

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Correctional Officer, Sheila Rivera, from complications of the COVID-19 virus. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Correctional Officer succumbs from this deadly disease. Her bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed. Our prayers and thoughts to the Choctaw Nation Police Department in Mississippi where Correctional Officer Rivera had previously served.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

June 11, 2020