Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Col. Mercado-Vega,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Puerto Rico. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 11, 2021

My mother Maria Elena Hernandez Mercado Vega, elder sister of the Mercado clan took vacation trips to Naguabo to see Grandpa Mauricio, Grandma Juana and family prior to their demise in the early 1960s.
I vividly remember my Uncle "Biro" would take time to run me around the island to places like Mayaguez, Ponce, Santurce, baseball stadiums, sight seeing in his red Ford Fairlane. I remember my cousin Nilsa, his daughter used to visit with her mom. After his tour of duty he would stop by and say hello.
I greatly admired him, he was my uncle, my buddy, and my hero. Today I feel very drawn to him and our memories and his great sense of humor. My name is John Hernandez former NYC Sanit Patrolman 1971-1980. Rest in peace my dear uncle.⁸

PO John Hernandez
NYC Sanit Police, first nephew

June 26, 2020

Comandante Mercado,

It's been forty-eight years since that very dark day at the UPR, but we still remember you and always will. Rest peacefully in God's hands.

Raymond N. Corey
Lieutenant
Metropolitan Police Department
Washington, D.C.

March 11, 2019

Mi coronel Mercado.....Han pasado 45 anos que usted se nos fue....cuando yo trabajaba en Isla de Cabras como reten de la Policia de Puerto Rico usted me ofrecio la gran oportunidad de mi vida en pertenecer a la Fuerza de Choque, era el ano 1966....acepte su propuesta y ahi mismo empece el entrenamiento......Le agradesco de todo corazon,aun,en poder pertenecer a esa honorable unidad.......Siempre comprabamos cafe en Palo Seco todos los dias....y nos divertimos mucho en Isla de Cabras y junto con "Quique" Sanchez, Pedrero, Carrasquillo, Ciaca, Rondon, Perez entre otros......y el gigante Atilano........Es una gran pena para mi aun de que usted se nos fuera de esa manera....pero me conformo de que nuestro Dios lo tenga siempre en los cielos por ser un buen jefe, amigo y ser humano.....todos en la fuerza de choque lo admirabamos mucho y cuando vinieron las patrullas con los "Biombos" azules usted me dio la oportunidad de conducir por primera vez dichas patrullas....siempre me acordare de usted toda mi vida....Que Dios lo tenga en los cielos comandando en lo alto tambien a todos aquellos que se nos han ido en el cumplimiento del deber!!.......Lo admiro aun,que descance usted en paz.....Con toda mi alma....Jose Pacheco, ex Policia #5382.

EX POLICIA #5382
AMIGO

May 6, 2016

Today is the forty-fifth anniversary of your departure; and you are still an inspiration for many officers that followed on your steps in dedication to service and protection of our communities. We will never forget your sacrifice, along with the sacrifice of Sargento Rosario-Rondon. May both rest peacefully in the hands of God.

Sgt. Raymond N. Corey
Metropolitan Police Department, DC

March 11, 2016

I am very proud of the great service and determination you provided as Colonel in Puerto Rico and also most of all to call you my Grandfather. I always asked my mother how you were as a father and all about you, I was always told beautiful stories of a distinguished man with a very kind heart. Thank you for your morals and values you taught my mom, they are passed on. You are never forgotten and very missed. God keep you always.

Kimberly J Muñiz
Granddaughter

December 28, 2015

Dad after God you are the greatest person I ever met. You are my hero, my example, my inspiration and the great human been that I always wants to become. You teach me great things to love,help and respect others as I want them to do to me. Always you teach us to strive to do the best in every thing and to love the public service. It was very hard to let you go but you will always be in our hearts. We are your continuation
and I know you are right now in a better place with God. Today I'm very greatfull to God because he gave me the best dad in the world. Dad you will always be miss.

Senior Probation Officer Cheryl Mercado
Daughter

April 24, 2015

It’s been forty four years since this infamous day, March 11, 1971, but the wound still open, we still remember… and we would not forget. The struggle to protect our values, our rights and our freedom remain strong. We won’t capitulate, we won’t give up. Now, more than ever: Blue Live Matters! NO MORE POLICE MURDERS!

Sgt. R. N. Corey
MPDC WASHINGTON, D.C.

March 11, 2015

coronel mercado vega,
fuestie mi visabuelo en vida toda mi vida me an contado la vida y muerte tuja y como afectaste mucha jente en tu vida te amo abuelo que dios te tenga a su lado siempre asta el dia que nos veoamos

nieta taisha enid benitez
mi abuela

August 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the forty-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. I wish as many people knew about this incident as those who know about Kent State. Thanks to your friends for shairing their memories and a piece of history with us.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 11, 2012

It still fresh in my memory, just like it just happened… I remember the “Once de Marzo,” I remember watching the news, I remember seen his lifeless body laid down, mortally wounded. That’s an image I will never be able to get out of my mind, it changed my life forever. I remember how my father was trembling with indignation, anger, frustration, sadness, he knew him, it was his dear friend, and someone hurt his friend. My stepfather, who was a marshal (alguacil), at the time, was activated and ordered to respond to assist with the riots; he too suffered a lost, Officer Rosario-Rondon was his cousin, despite the personal pain, he did not hesitated, he responded. I sure do remember that day, and the days after… the pictures on the newspapers, the short clips on the television news. My life was changed for ever, I understood what happened. We immediately heard of who the possible suspects were, we knew them, kids from the neighborhood, “good kids, from good families,” Mickey Hudo-Ricci and Humberto Pagan, they grew up in Santurce, went to a good Catholic school, San Jorge Academy, I knew the enemy and how they thought, their misguided ideas of “independence,” “freedom,” “socialism,” etcetera… these were the “rich” kids that never held a job, but wanted to free the “oppressed” by killing a good, decent man. That day changed my life, I knew back then what to become. As a grew older, back in the mid-seventies, I realized that things in the Puerto Rico Police Department had changed, although I applied to the force and really wanted to be part of it, the economic circumstances of the time led me into another path. While waiting for a response from the PRPD, I had an offer from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. It has been more than twenty-five years now. I am an official assigned to the Civil Disturbance Unit (Riot Squad). I have several Puerto Ricans officers working with me, and when they ask me about what motivated me to become a policeman, I refer them to Coronel Juan Birino Mercado, Jefe de la “Fuerza de Choque,” my hero. Every 11 de Marzo, I visit the National Law Enforcement Memorial at Judiciary Square, and I look for the names of Commandante Mercado and Sargento Rosario-Rondon. I prey for them and their families… and I prey that we never have a lost like that ever again. We would not let it happen again.

Sgt. Raymond N. Corey
Metropolitan Police Department

September 25, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired in the hearts and minds of so many..Iam still proud to work with you,I had learned a lot from you. God still taking care of you and my thoughts will be in my mind forever....We had good time in Isla de Cabras with so many friends like "Quique Sanchez", Pedrero,Siaca,Gardner,Rivera,Andujar,Colon,and so many great friends that we share with you the great moments of been Police Officers......Rest in peace my friend and thank you very much to allowed me to join the " Fuerza de Choque" almost 45 yeras ago,The one and only that time..God Bless you my dear Col............................Jose Pacheco 5382

Former Police Officer
Jose Pacheco,ex-Police Officer

February 22, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 11, 2010

Siempre me acordare de usted toda mi vida.Usted me acepto como miembro de la fuerza de choque mientras trabajaba en Isla de Cabras como reten...Hacen mas de 40 anos...Conoci a las pelotas de verguenzas como..Quique Sanchez,Pedrero,Atilano,Carrasquillo,y otros servidores por el cual estoy orgulloso..Que Dios lo tenga en los cielos mi Coronel..eramos los que organisamos esa unidad!!Y gracias a usted aprendi mucho y jamas lo olvidare,,..Dios lo tenga en los cielos..Jose Pacheco;ex-policia 5382...

Jose Pacheco
ex-Polica Puerto Rico

November 18, 2009

Colonel:...Thank you for helping me to join the special forces of the Police Department.I remember the date was 1966....I learned a lot from you.May God have you in heaven and I will remember you all my life.You made me a complete Police Officer,and proud.You was the best Lieutenant Colonel I ever had.May God have you in heaven.

Former Policeman,Jose Pacheco
Former Policeman

July 7, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 7, 2008

Colonel Mercado-Vega,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Puerto Rico.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

March 11, 2005