Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joe, not a day goes by that I don't think about you. Your picture still hangs prominently in Hollywood Station so I see it every single day. I'll never forget the fun times we had in Hollywood SPU with J.C. at the helm. I'll never forget the time that we spent a couple of weeks on robbery surveillance down on Melrose Ave. J.C. and K.C. were always working together so we put all those tin cans on a string and tied them to the back of his dual purpose ride to make it look like they were just married. And when J.C. came on the air and said he had the possible suspects and he was going to do a "following." I still remember laughing so hard, we were crying because we could hear the tin cans rattling in the background on the air.

Those were good times Joe. I miss you.

Sergeant
LAPD

September 27, 2008

Joe, it's been 15 years since I left Hollywood. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was standing in front of my locker in a class A uniform waiting for my first roll call, when you came walking in. You stopped, looked at me and said,"You new?" As I relpied"Yes,sir", you walked up and extended your hand to me. I can still hear it today," Don't call me sir, I work for a living. I'm Joe Rios".

You were the first person I met that night and little did I know you would be one of the best friends a fellow officer could ever have.

You encouraged me during my probation time and treated me as an equal when I worked with you.

Joe, I think of you quite often and there are alot of times when me and Bob will be somewhere or see something and he will say,"That's Joe".

You are truly missed.
Eddie G.

Det. E. Gutierrez
Santa Ana P.D. / SWAT

February 9, 2008

Rest in peace Joe, you have not been forgotten.

Detective III
LAPD

January 20, 2008

Hi Honey, boy how I miss you!!! It will be 15 years on the 20th, but it seems like yesterday. Our daughter Samantha will be 20 years old on the 19th and she is following in your footsteps, she wants to be an LAPD when she graduates from college in two years and wear your batch in your honor. Our Son Alex is 18 years old now and in the Navy (I know - the Marines are the only branch that can kick ass) but he is doing wonderful and really enjoys it, I just came back from seeing him in Santa Barbara, he looks so handsome in his dress blues. We miss you so much, Sam still has a very hard time not sharing her accomplishments with you, Alex wants to be like you, and me just wants to be next to you. I know one day God will grant me that. I'm having a very hard time lately, please ask God to grant me peace and wisdom to accept his ways. I loved you with all of my heart during our 13 years of marriage. I still love you and miss you very much. Until next time.

Your Wife

Irma Rios - Wife

January 14, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 12, 2008

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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

December 1, 2007

Devil Dawg:

Small world indeed. So here I am Two-Stepping / Cowboy Cha-Cha - ing with this "cool glass of water" of a woman, and it turned out that her friend is the daughter of a retired LAPD.

More importantly, it turns out that she knew You and Your wife. I told her how I would share Your story with my recruit classes / veteran officers, because we had FireArms Training Systems (FATS) scenarios which You appeared in (not to mention the fact that we were both Marines and assigned to Harbor Division)......

Bro, You are certainly not forgotten...

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

May 10, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

August 4, 2006

So its about 11:00 and im thinking of you dad...i cant stop..i havent been able to for a while...so i google your name and guess what i found? Mike and Kieth leaving you a reflection..and someone said that they had just met me ( i would like to know who you are by the way..thank you for the compliment)...dad i miss ya..man this brought tears to my eyes...im so glad that i found this page..If you did know my father and happen to come across this tell me something about him..memories you have of him...for 13 years that is the only way i have gotten to know my father...to all who knew my family..we are all doing well...my brother is following in my dads footsteps and my mom is holding up well!

Daughter of Joe Rios

April 24, 2006

Joe, for some reason, I just typed your name into a google search and discovered this site. I will always remember the great times spent with your family and you, the time I was fixing a flat on the side of the freeway and looked up to see you there in your blue corvette..... how strange to see you there so far from home :)

I often recall the long and fun nights that we all shared, keeping the streets of Hollywood safe for the good people, and making it a bad place to be for the bad guys. You were and always will be an outstanding Police Officer Joe.

Of course... I will cherish the memory of the very last time that you went out with the guys.... we had a great night and I won't forget it.

Thank you for being a great friend, partner, husband and father. I miss you.

P3 M. Weiss (retired)
LAPD

March 10, 2006

Joe, I met your daughter a few motnhs ago at the station, you'd sure be proud! She's turing out to be a wonderful person. Don't worry about a thing brother!

RIP

P.O. II J.M.
LAPD

November 30, 2005

I met your daughter the other day Joe.

P.O. II J.M.
LAPD

November 29, 2005

Joe -

Your picture does you justice. Your grin was always big. I always think fondly of your demonstration at Lopez Canyon, showing us your USMC Sniper skills. You were awsome! I always reflect on your little signature line, "If it rains, I'll swim - if it don't, I'll walk!" Sleep well, Marine, Irma and the kids are doing okay.

Sgt. K. Moreland
LAPD

November 10, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

January 20, 2005

God rest your soul.

December 29, 2004

OFFICER RIOS,
IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 10 YEARS SINCE YOUR DEATH, AS YOU STILL REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER YOUR ENTIRE LAPD FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL AND YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES THAT CONTINUE TO MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY.

WIFE OF LAPD DETECTIVE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPT.

December 5, 2003