Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joe,
I miss you amigo. I treasure our many watches working nights chasing the radio & walking the footbeats on Hwd & Melrose, good times! I'd gladly do that all over again...but only with you! It was a great honor to serve with you and listen as you debriefed your time in Viet Nam. Tranquila mi hermano

Q P.O. II
LAPD-Retired

November 18, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Rios.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2022

FOREVER RIP.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired, NYSP

January 10, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Rios.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 31, 2019

Tio Joe,
I pray for you, Irma and the kids (lol adults now) daily. Last week we had a guest speaker at the all boys Catholic School I work at in Anaheim. The guest speaker mention a 21 year career with LAPD and various jobs since then. In my heart I knew he must have been in LAPD during your 10 year tour. So I waited around to speak to him and low and behold, he retired LAPD, Andrew Wunderlich was in your academy class. What a small world tio. He made me smile when he explained he memories of you as being such a funny guy and a great classmate!
xoxo

Gracie Ojeda-Masterson
Niece

May 6, 2018

Officer Rios,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO;former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 20, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 20, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 21, 2017

Thinking of you on this sad anniversary Irma.

Captain Don Schwartzer
LAPD

January 20, 2016

Joe Rios was the best officer that ever wore a badge. He went out each day and gave 100% to the citizens of Los Angeles. Joe and I were friends and were partners for awhile in Hollywood Division. Joe always had a smile and loved his family and his duty as a Police Officer. Joe also served his country as a United States Marine. On October 9, 2015, there will be a memorial service for the 8 Hollywood Officers killed in the line of duty. It will be an honor for me to remember and salute Joe again on that date, Semper Fidelis

Retired Detective John E Miller #13738
Los Angeles Police Department

September 6, 2015

Happy Father's Day dad...

Sam Rios

June 15, 2014

En nuestro camino por la vida siempre hay alguien que se cruza en ese camino y que deja huella en nuestro Corazon, ya sea por las acciones o por su caracter.
El siempre fue una persona atenta,amigable, cariñosa, y con el deseo de ayudar siempre.
Su vida fue su trabajo y su familia, mi vida fue marcada por su partida y dios me dio la Fortaleza para estar con el en su despedida, se nos Adelanto en el camino, pero algun dia nos volveremos a encontrar.
Siempre recordare unas de sus canciones preferidas de louis Armstrong y que se canto en su misa la de el viento bajo mis alas, siempre lo recordare y el estara en mi mente y Corazon.
PS. Tengo una platica pendiente con Joe Bunch, Joe si algun dia lees este mensaje mandame un email

Patty Garcia
Sobrina

May 15, 2014

I had the honor and Joy of working with Joe and experiencing his wonderful family. Joe (a former Marine) was a great cop, a great friend and one of the funniest guys around. I went out with a group of others and Joe the night before he died and will never forget the shock upon hearing the news the next morning.

The LAPD lost a great cop the day Joe left. The world lost a great man. RIP Marine. See you when I get there.

Police Officer Retired
LAPD

January 21, 2014

Joe, you were an awesome classmate and true friend. You continue to be missed by your family and friends. Thank you for your winning smile and gracious attitude! You were a true inspiration to me in the academy. Thank you!

Sergeant D. Cox, retired
LAPD, classmate

January 20, 2014

Joe, Still remembered by your friends and fellow officers at University Southern California, Dept. Public Safety.

Thank you for sharing some time with us...

Detective R. L. Wade (retired)
U.S.C.D.P.S.

October 29, 2013

Thinking about you today......miss you soo much! I know you know how much I am struggling right now..I know you've got my back no matter what! Love you dad <3

Sam Rios

March 21, 2013

Joe, although we never met, we are brothers in blue. I had the honor of meeting your wife Irma yesterday. Since this is such a small world we live it, it turns out that she and my wife went to Belmont H.S. at the same time. I know she sill loves you and I wish I would have gotten to meet you. I remember seeing you when I was on the job. Your wife is doing well and keeps you close to her heart. I just wanted to leave you this message. Rest in peace, your brother Ed Ramirez
Riverside County District Attorney's Office
Investigator
Retired LAPD RHD

LAPD Retired Det II Ed Ramirez

March 11, 2013

Wow Nino, I'm very touched by all the love shown to you on this page. I wish I would have remembered about it sooner. I'm sure Nina Irma has told me about it before. My wife Carmen was looking at the profile of another fallen officer and came across your page too.. I'm so glad she did!

Its coming up on 20 years since you went home to God, and our lives have changed so much. I'm working for the Navy now, I have a beautiful wife and two amazing boys, Alejandro and Lucas. I know you know all of this, I want to say thank you for watching over us, I know you're around and I appreciate it so very much.

I love you Nino, and just know that I love and care about Irma, Sam and Alex and your family and mine will always be one. Carmen, Alejandro, Lucas and I are blessed to be so loved by you and Irma!

Alejandro Parra Jr
God-Son

January 16, 2013

Hey Compa this is your compa Alex Parra. I would like to take this time to thank you for keeping on my butt to join the explorer program at USCPD. I am glad i did. I will have 31 years at the dept and it's been a great career. My son (your godson) graduated from SC with a degree in Electrical Engineering and is doing very well. He is married and thanks to him and our daughter in law we are the proud to be grandparents to their boys (Alejandro 1yr old and Lucas 2 1/2 months). My wife and I have two other son's, (Michael 23 and Raymond 20). Michael is a Community Service Officer at SC who has blessed us with a third grandchild (jacob 2 yrs old). Raymond is working for Andrews Security at the Hollywood and Highland Mall (your old stomping grounds). I work in Hollywood myself for the Hollywood Bid Patrol and I am inside of Hollywood station alot processing arrestees and see your picture all the time. I miss you a lot !!!! OK Compa just wanted to do some catching up letting you know how my life and family have developed. Thank you so much for all that you taught me and especially for encouraging me to join up with the SCPD explorers where my Police career started and god willing my career will end. I Love you Compa !!!!! will talk to you soon.

Alejandro Parra Sr.
USC Police Dept.

October 17, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 19th anniversary year 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 pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you. I hold your family in my heart's embrace and know that you are proud that they are continuing your legacy of protecting and serving

Rest In Peace.

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

January 20, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Rios. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 14, 2012

"Someone go take my flag down." Anyone who worked Hollywood Division during Joe's years there, knew who's voice it was. When the sun went down and the desk officers got too busy to take the flag down, if Joe drove by and saw it, he would always get on the radio with a reminder, "It's getting dark and my flag is still up." He was proud of his country and department. I worked the bicycle detail with Joe. He was always a lot of fun, in great spirits, and friendly to everyone. And he loved his kids!! I rememer the shock the day I went to work and we just got the call that Joe had died. We were in disbelief that someone so full of life and happiness could pass so young. And feeling so badly for Irma and his two children. It's been a long time, but I still think of you often, Joe. You goofing off in roll call and always being able to make the watch commander laugh. I hope your wife and children are doing well.

P.O. II
former LAPD

August 10, 2011

Joe,

I want to thank you for your dedicated service. I met you early before I joined the ranks of sworn law emforcement. It was individuals like you that made me want to become a Policeman. You were a true inspiration.

I was saddened when your accident occurred and I was really hoping you were going to recover. I remember when I saw you on Hollywood Blvd after you came back to work, I was so excited for you. What impressed me about you was your willingness to help others.

I'm thankful to have known you the short time I was able to. God bless your family. My thoughts and prayers will be with them.

Louis B. Lave, Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

July 25, 2011

Joe:

I enjoyed working with you at USC, prior to you going over to LAPD. Rest in peace, partner!

John Bellah, Corporal (Retired)
CSU-Long Beach Police Department

August 2, 2009

Irma, it was a pleasure meeting you at spouses this year. You are such a wonderful person and lot's of fun. Joe would be so proud of you and your children. May Our Heavenly Father guide and protect you all. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. I know our husbands are up in Heaven looking down on us and glad that our paths have crossed. May they have eternal rest and let the Prepeptual light shine upon them.
Here's a song my daughter/Selena found and gave to me. Hope you and your daughter find it as heartwarming as I did.


Miss You
You used to call me your angel
Said I was sent straight down from heaven
You'd hold me close in your arms
I love the way you felt so strong

I never wanted you to leave
I wanted you to stay here holding me

I miss you
I miss your smile
And I still shed a tear
Every once in a while

And even though it's different now
You're still here somehow
My heart won't let you go
And I need you to know

I miss you, I miss you

You used to call me your dreamer
And now I'm living out my dream
Oh, how I wish you could see
Everything that's happening to me

I'm thinking back on the past
It's true that time is flying by too fast

I miss you, I miss your smile
And I still shed a tear
Every once in a while

And even though it's different now
You;re still here somehow
My heart won't let you go
And I need you to know

I miss you, I miss you

I know you're in a better place,
But I wish that I could see your face
I know you're where you need to be
Even though it's not here with me

I miss you
I miss your smile
And I still shed a tear
Every once in a while

And even though it's different now
You're still here somehow
My heart won't let you go
And I need you to know

I miss you
I miss your smile
And I still shed a tear
Every once in a while


Did you ever know that your're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings

Juanita Garza
Wife of COIII Francisco F. Garza-TDCJ/Dominguez Unit/E.O.W. 5-31-99

October 4, 2008