Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

THIS WAS A SAD EVENT IN OUR HISTORY, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS MAN BUT MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND TO HIS FRIENDS. MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS WE DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS WHATEVER LEVEL BE IT CITY, STATE OR FEDERAL. I JUST HOPE THAT JUSTICE IS SWIFT. I HOPE THAT HIS FAMILY STAYS STRONG DURING THIS TIME AND THAT THEY CAN ONE DAY HAVE CLOSURE WHEN THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE FOR WHAT THEY DID. I'M SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF MY BROTHER, STAY SAFE TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS BEHIND THE WALLS. SEMPER FIDELIUS.

SENIOROFFICERSPECIALIST (BROD)RODRIGUEZ
BOP/ MDC BROOKLYN

June 25, 2008

Each and every day correction officers and staff that works inside the prison, walls face danger. We all pray that we go home safe, But its sad to say You paid the ultimate price. I pray for your family now in there time of sorrow.
every person that works inside the prison system needs to reflect on this and know that a GREAT AMERICAN HERO PAID THE PRICE TO KEEP OUR COUNRTY AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE.
JOHN MAFFEO
MDC BROOKLYN
DCT MEMBER

Disturbance Control Team Member - John M
Bureau of Prisons

June 25, 2008

What a tragic loss. My heart, prayers and sympathy go out to the Rivera family and loved ones.

In deepest regret,
Jason

Correctinoal Counselor - Jason Dodge
FCI Pekin, IL BOP

June 25, 2008

I served with Officer Rivera on board the USS Nassau. I new him well. He was a strong individual with a warm heart. He was loved by his friends and will be dearly missed. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his girlfriend and family. The world will never be as bright as it was with you in it. On behalf of all of your shipmates, we love you. Rest in peace "Jose Navy".

Christopher Ceglio
US Navy Veteran and shipmate of BM3 Rivera

June 25, 2008

This incident is senseless and tragic. Officer Rivera was a true hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving his community. Rest in peace brother…

Sgt. Rich Kabel
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

June 25, 2008

The public knows very little of what you did on a daily basis, whether of great significance or seemingly trivial, so others could live peacefully and free from those we incarcerate. To a correctional officer and naval serviceman, may you have found peace.

To the family and friends, may they find some solace in Jose's heroism and service to country in this trying time. Our thoughts are with you more than you could possibly know. God Bless.

Sorrowed Staff
FPC Yankton

June 25, 2008

WE HAVE PRAYED FOR YOUR FAMILY AND WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE AND OTHERS WILL CONTINUE. MAY THE GOOD LORD COMFORT YOU IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME. WE PRAY THAT GOD WOULD GIVE YOU HIS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THIS TRAGEDY. MAY THE LORD JESUS BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WITH HOPE AND STRENGTH. JOSE WILL BE REMEMBERED THROUGHOUT THE BUREAU OF PRISONS!!

ruth smith, inmate systems officer
DOJ/BOP/FPC YANKTON

June 25, 2008

You served your country and you served your community. You are a true hero! Thank you for your service.

Parole Agent AMARO
CDCR

June 25, 2008

I will not cry for Officer Rivera, I will thank God that such a man ever existed.

To the family: Be proud that you had the opportunity to know this fine man. Gods speed during this difficult time. Thank You Officer Rivera for your sacrifice.

Lt Amborn
Mn DOC

June 25, 2008

Rest in Peace Officer Rivera. The dangers we face on the outside do not diminish one bit when on the inside. The profession you chose takes tremendous courage. It is a job that many of us could never perform. I am sure that you performed your duty with courage, respect and dignity. You have moved on to a place where you will never meet these monsters again. You will never be forgotten and you will always be honored. You have done your time in hell, REST IN PEACE OFFICER RIVERA.

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

June 25, 2008

On behalf of the employees at California State Prison-Sacramento. God has welcomed a husband, father, son, brother, best freind, noble brave soldier, and courageous hero into his kingdom where he is surounded by the love and comfort only he can give. Our days are filled with sadness for the loved ones he left behind who need our comfort the most. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences to all who knew and loved Jose. May God give you comfort and help you find your way.

Liutenant Judy Loer
Department of Corrections, California State Prison-Sacramento

June 25, 2008

Rest In Peace My Brother

Brian Conner, Paramedic
FCC Butner, NC

June 25, 2008

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Rivera. I experienced the death of a Correctional Officer while working at USP Atlanta in 1994 and know the immense sorrow such an event brings to others. At that time, I met Officer D'Antonio Washington's family and provided emotional support for family and staff during a subsequent trial for the offender. As psychologists, we are available not only for the inmate population but as importantly for staff and their families. If there is anything I can do to provide support. please let me know. sincerely, Gary Junker

Gary Junker, PhD
BOP FCC Butner

June 25, 2008

Rest in Peace Sir..

Officer Thomas Wiederhold
Fort Worth Texas Police

June 25, 2008

You served your Country and the BOP with Honor and Bravery. I pray you receive faster justice than our last Fallen Brother. To your Family and Friends; Officer Rivera will be forever remembered for his loyalty, bravery, and ultimate sacrifice.

G. Friss, Lt
BOP

June 25, 2008

This poem is dedicated to Officer Rivera and his family. You will never be forgotten.

WHEN GOD MADE CORRECTION OFFICERS
When the Lord was creating CORRECTION OFFICERS, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one".
And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order?"
A CORRECTION OFFICER must always bear in mind that rehabilitation is based on self-respect. In the event of rebellious actions or disparaging remarks towards them by inmates they must always maintain a quite firm demeanor.
A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to be able to tolerate the ignorance of some, without losing hope.
A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER must also be prepared to cover a life-threatening situation, canvass the institution for witnesses, and testify the next day.
A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals when it is necessary.
A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER has to have six pairs of hands.
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way!"
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an Officer has to have."
"Is that on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded and said, "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before the Officer asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When the Officer already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "the second pair, here in the side of his head for his fellow Officers safety and the third pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, "You'll be all right, when the Officer knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound inmate out of a rebellious intention without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the CORRECTIONAL OFFICER very slowly, "Can it think?" the angel asked.
The Lord said "Can it think! A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER can recite departmental rules in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on a tier in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of a traffic stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor. "This CORRECTIONAL OFFICER also has phenomenal personal control.
A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, professionally watch over a child abuser not allowing emotions to stand in the way of helping a inmate better himself, comfort a fellow Officers family with a loss, and then read in the daily paper how the department and its Officers are not sensitive to the rights of criminals.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the CORRECTION OFFICER. "There's a leak," the angel pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model!" the angel exclaimed.
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear"
"What's the tear from?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that tattered piece of cloth called the American flag, and for lady justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber and said "I didn't put that tear there."
Author Unknown

S. Zachry, SOS to Unit Secretary
SOS to Unit Secretary

June 25, 2008

This is the third Brother I have lost during my tour...It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten. To the Bureau family, and the family of this HERO, you will forever be in my prayers.

Jack Wilner, Special Investigative Agent
USP Florence, Federal Bureau of Prisons

June 25, 2008

May you rest in peace knowing that you have served your country well!! To work in corrections does take a special person and you have demonstrated yourself to be that type of person. You will not be forgotten and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank You.

Marilee Gibson
Former MARTA Police Department

June 25, 2008

Although I may have never met Officer Rivera, I still feel his family's pain. Stay strong to all who work for the Bureau and to all the one's who love us.

s/o J.L. Delossantos Jr
Butner FCC

June 25, 2008

May the Lord comfort Officer Rivera family always.

SOS DEBORAH WISE
FCC USP 2 COLEMAN, FL

June 25, 2008

My deepest sympathy to officer Rivera's family, friends, and loved ones. May God be with you during this difficult time.

Lisa Young
FCC Butner

June 25, 2008

You will be missed but not forgotten. You are a hero for your service and I thank you for your bravery. Rest in Peace Brother.

Senior Officer
Bureau Of Prisons FCC Coleman

June 25, 2008

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
You went out with your boots on, on the ground, in the front line. You are a warrior my brother, for that our respects and you will never be forgotten. God bless you!

SORT / Guaynabo
FBOP

June 25, 2008

A lief has fallen from our family tree today,
fallen much to early all would say,

As we look to that empty space that can never be replaced,
we call out to God and ask why it had to be this way,

With tears in our eyes we listen waiting for a reply,
a word, a reminder a thought or something to make the pain subside

A small still voice whispers in your ear “He is with me now, He has finished his race and now he is in a much better place.”

So we square our shoulders and wipe the rain from our face.
Standing proud and tall we walk thru that gate.

For just like you, we will answer the call.

GS 9 Ray Barnes
Safety FCC BUTNER, NC

June 25, 2008

The ultimate sacrifice is deeply appreciated by those who have walked in your footsteps. A senseless killing...but a reminder to all law enforcement officers that life is precious and fragile, and therefore, we must always be vigilant and on guard without ever approaching our job as a routine...

May God bring peace to your soul and comfort to your family and friends who grieve with this painful loss.

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

June 25, 2008