Officer Down Memorial Page

You will always have a special place in my heart Rocky. The joy you brought to me, Clay, Mom & Dad and Uncle Ted and Aunt Sharon will never be forgotten. Badge #1168. I still carry "Rocky's Prayer" in my wallet and always will. I love and miss you dearly.

PS: Dad, Clay, Uncle Ted and I are going hunting with you when we get up there.

Justin Smoot
Family Friend-Nephew of Retired SAPD Officer Ted Mangold
February 3, 2012

Happy Birthday Rocky. It has been an honor to dispatch and know you. Your spirit still lives today in the men and women who served with you. Angel Blessings my friend.

Erica Swenson
SAPD and friend
February 2, 2012

You never did let us forget your birthday. How ironic to find this website today. Happy Birthday big brother. Your still the best big brother I could have ever had. I love you and miss you. We all do. We still have good and bad days but know you are watching over all of us. We were telling the kids stories about you last weekend at moms... we were laughing until we couldn't breathe... those were good times and great memories. :) Love you, Landa

Officer Jolanda Riojas Sanchez
SAPD & sister
November 17, 2011

i was a waitress at rockys all the guys were like brothers to me i will always remember how strong and kind rocky was it was sad the day he passed i was still grieving fr my grandmother passing 3 weeks before rocky that yr total sucked hector passed after that then my grandfather passed in july lost 4 friends with in 6 months may they all rest in peace

carol
friend
October 1, 2011

Patrolman Riojas,

I was honored to spend this past week with your family. Your wife is an amazing woman, so kind, caring and so very compassionate. Your children honor your memory and sacrifice, and are so proud of you. I have no doubt that they will do great things and make so many positive contributions just as you did. Your daughter has a gentle soul and is clever and funny. They are being so loved and cherished by your wife.

Thank you for your dedication to your community and the profession, you will never be forgotten. May God hold you close while you watch over your family and those who continue the watch. God Bless

Kelly Donahue

Sgt Kelly Donahue
COPS Kids Camp Mentor
July 31, 2011

Such a wonderful smile. My heart goes out to all who love and miss Rocky. Especially his children.

Hero in life, not death my brother. You are not forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada
February 3, 2011

Patrolman Riojas,
Sir, on today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Antonio. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP
February 3, 2011

I love you rockie,and miss you everyday.
Your kids are wonderful. I know your looking down on them.

Anonymous
June 18, 2010

Hey Rock let you know you are missed .

Wayne
April 20, 2010

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones and close friends on this day. Continue to watch over all of them, you have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
February 3, 2010

miss you rockey. and the days at st, gerards. +

AGENT wm, perez
December 18, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
February 25, 2009

You and your family are thought of especially today. You are a true HERO. May God continue to be with your family.
Brenda Lucas, Mother of
Chief Anthony D. Lucas
EOW - 2/4/2005

Anonymous
February 3, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over all of your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicgo Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
February 3, 2009

God bless you and your family.

Police Officer
Mesquite Police Dept (TX)
February 3, 2009

To the family and friends of Patrolman Rocky Riojas and his fellow officers:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to Rocky's memory on the eighth anniversary of the day he so tragically lost his life. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are still experiencing.

Please know that the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement and police survivors will always be by your side on each step of the journey.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of service Rocky gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 3, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
February 3, 2009

RIP You will never be forgotten by the ones who knew and loved you.Your legacy will live on.

Anonymous
October 11, 2008

While stopping by to visit, I made a tough realization -- my badge number too is 1168. My dad and brother are SAPD (retired and patrol respectively) and I remember the February you were taken from us all. Ironically, 3 years later, a number connected us when I became a sister in blue.
I hope that I can honor you by representing 1168 well -- as it is an honor to bear the same badge number. Watch over us all....you are our hero!

Miller
cppd
May 22, 2008

Thankyou OFFICER RIOJAS for your service and sacrifice. You are a true hero to us all and will never be forgotten

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA
February 28, 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
February 25, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE, GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
January 29, 2008

Rocky, I will never forget you. I know that your death really must have been very hard on your really close freinds as well as your family. Though I only knew you for a few years, I admired you and how close you were to your family. I will always remember our special times in the Alaska wilderness at my lodge among good freinds. I will always treasure the video and photos that you sent me. I could tell how much your Brothers in Blue loved and respected you. I wish I could speak to your Mother and Father and tell them what a great man I thought you were, and how you made me laugh so hard sometimes that I could hardly breathe!! My sympathy goes out to your wife, and I would also hope to one day meet your children. I am sure they will always hear of you as a well respected and much loved Father,Husband,Son,Brother, and Freind. P.S. I hope to hear from some of your freinds and family, to exchange more memories of you. YOUR FREIND From ALASKA,
Ron Loustau

"Ranger"Ron Loustau
Freind from Alaska
March 23, 2007

To Patrolman John Anthony (Rocky) Riojas and his loved ones:

On this the sixth year anniversary week after your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart is still with your family. You’re all in our thoughts and our prayers.

Rocky, you rescued us, saved our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Rocky. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Rocky gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 3, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 4, 2007

Sometimes you get the bad guy and sometimes he
gets you.
The shot that killed you also killed a part of us.
It killed a part of your family, both at work and at home.
It killed your dreams, your hopes, your future.
But it must not kill our determination to make this
world a better place or our will to make a difference.
America's streets must be running red with blood with
all the deaths of leos. Every time I come here to leave
a reflection, I feel like my words get emptier and emptier. I am truly
sorry for your loss...a loss too great
for words.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

February 3, 2007

LIFE WAS TO SHORT FOR YOU. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A HERO TO MANY.
I AM SURE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE 6 YEARS HAVE GONE BY FOR YOUR FAMILY.
AS SURVIVORS, WE ALWAYS THINK OF "WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN" AND IT HURTS THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE OUT YOUR LIFE.
GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND MAY HE CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM COMFORT AND STRENGTH.

MOTHER OF A 2001 FALLEN OFFICER.

February 3, 2007