Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Rivera's family and friends, and to the men and women of the New York City Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Officer Rivera, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

November 28, 2004

To the family, and friends of Ofc. Rivera. You are in our hearts and our prayers during such a difficult time. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his fiancee, family & the entire NYPD family. Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here...

Off. Shawn Moore
Methuen, MA Police

November 28, 2004

To NYPD,

On behalf of the Columbus, Ohio, Police Department, I wish to extend the thoughts and prayers of the Officers of the Columbus Police Department to Officer Rivera's family, friends, and fellow NYPD Officers.

Best wishes,

Officer Holloway

Ordnance Officer John Holloway
Columbus, Ohio Police Department

November 28, 2004

To the family and friends of William Rivera know that our prayers are with you all. May God bless you all at this very difficult time.
Troy NY PD

Ptln Jac McMahon
Troy PD

November 28, 2004

May God less your family my brother my prayers are with you

Cpl. S.P. Raggins
Lake City Police Department Lake City, Florida

November 28, 2004

You made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. We are proud of you and thankful for all of your service.

S/A G.Rowe Jr
RR Police Department NJ DIV

November 27, 2004

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Rivera. May God comfort you in this difficult time. Rest in peace Sir, you are a true hero.

a citizen

November 27, 2004

Rest In Peace Brother, Blessed are the Peacemakers!

Lt Daniel J. Daly(Ret)
Newark Police Department (NJ)

November 27, 2004

Rest in peace brother we'll take it from here.

Lieutenant
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

November 27, 2004

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

November 27, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

shannon
concerned citizen

November 27, 2004

Officer Rivera, once again, duty called, and once again, you answered, as you had done thousands of times before . . . you answered the call not because you had to . . . not just because it was your job, but because you possessed an inherent need to do so . . . to protect the people of your community, your city, state, your nation. It is one of the integral components of a warrior . . . to willingly protect the people of their community at the risk of serious bodily harm or death.

I noted the 2 decorations on your uniform in your picture . . . the Excellent Police Duty Decoration and the Meritorious Police Duty Decoration.
You have undoubtedly always been a warrior to the highest degree. I honor you Sir, I honor your name, your memory and mostly for the ultimate sacrifice you made protecting all of us. You are truly a hero, not only for the way in which you died, but mostly for the way in which you lived . . . and for daring . . . daring to walk the path of the warrior. With brotherly love and utmost respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond (VA) Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

November 27, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
OFFICER RIVERA, HIS FAMILY AND CO-
WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

November 27, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure William did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and William be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Rivera's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his fiancee. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that William is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain William was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Rivera for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

November 27, 2004

Rest in Peace Officer Rivera "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God" Matt.5:9

November 27, 2004

Officer River typifies the words "New York's Finest".

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

November 27, 2004

With sadness, I come to this site to leave yet another reflection...I can only hope that the words that are written here are even a little consolation to the family and friends of these brave heroes...you are in our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ofcr Rivera, you are 10-7 sir, goodnight.

Aimee A4259 Dispatcher
Phoenix Police Department

November 27, 2004

Upon the markers of their graves
Our heroes etched in names we save
For all the life they gave with pride
To keep the peace within life's stride

To honor serve and do their best
To keep us safe through any quest
They gave up what was theirs to share
Their spirits shall be always near

No fear within the hearts and minds
To keep us safe within our times
The glory that is ours to see
Those special hearts of bravery

They have walked where no man dare
Their lives in danger with no care
For they have given all they could
For their courage we have stood

In awe of every one who gave
His life for others who they saved
So we will know their contribution
Their firm resolve and resolution

For those they left with hearts so broken
In every whispered word that's spoken
We bow our heads in confirmation
In every word life's revelation

Those who stand within their shoes
Will follow courage as they choose
And give to all the best they had
They carry on with spirits glad

We will know that they walked through
With colors bright and hearts so true
No Island stands alone they say
For heroes they are born this way

Protecting those with loyalty
A glimpse of so much royalty
Within the years of courage bound
These officers have earned their crown

Upon the earth we shall remember
The special goals and all their thunder
That proves a hero came our way
Who left their hearts on earth to stay.

~ Francine Pucillo ~
(c)Copyright November 16, 2004
In Memory of all those lost in the line
of fire with courage, strength and love.

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPARTMENT, WISNER, LA

November 26, 2004

PO Rivera,

Thank you and may God keep your family close in this most difficult time. It truly is a thin blue line. You will never be forgotten.

a police family
pennsylvania

November 26, 2004

God speed my brother. Your memory will not be forgotten. You will be reunited with loved ones on your journey in heaven.

Retired NYPD

Deputy Pfaff

November 26, 2004

Thank You for your service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

November 26, 2004

OUR DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THE THE FAMILY OF P/O WILLIAM RIVERA, HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT THE 78, AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF NYPD. GOD BLESS

PATROLMEN
NARBERTH POLICE DEPT , PA

November 26, 2004

It is sorry to have lose another member of the law enforcement family.

May God console Officer William Rivera's family. May his soul rest in peace.

Police Officer
Village of Key Biscayne Miami-Dade County

November 26, 2004

We will never forget the hard work and dedication you gave. Because of you, many people were able to sleep peacefully at night. You will always be in our thoughts.

Anonymous

November 26, 2004

Who lives in the memory of its loved ones,
that is not dead, that is only far;
dead is only, who is forgotten.

Immanuel Kant

R.I.P. Officer Rivera

Police Officer Stadelmann
Hannover PD, Lower Saxony, Germany

November 26, 2004