Thousands of people gathered at the Toyota Arena in Ontario on Thursday to remember Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who was slain last month after rushing to a crime scene where a man reportedly was firing rounds from a rifle.
Riveros, 35, died after being struck by gunfire on May 31 shortly after arriving at the Baldwin Park home where the shots were being fired. Another man, 43-year-old Darius Wong, also was killed by gunfire, and a fellow officer was wounded. A suspect has been charged in the killings.
On Thursday, friends and family of Riveros, and officers from various police departments across Southern California, filled thousands of seats at the Ontario stadium for the memorial service. A bagpipe procession opened the sorrowful event. Riveros’ casket was draped in a U.S. flag and sat below the stage, while flowers propped up on stands stood to the right.
A large photo of Riveros looking back at the crowd was on display near his customized Dodgers jersey.
Martin Herrera, through a heavy voice, shared fond memories of the man he called his best friend, big brother and colleague.
Herrera told a story about taking Riveros to his first Dodgers game in 2017, and how that marked the beginning of his love for the baseball team. The pair traveled across the country to watch the boys in blue play ball.
“He was a true fan. In that same way, he was committed to the city of Baldwin Park, the community, the Baldwin Park Police Department,” Herrera said.
Lillian Moore gave her little brother’s childhood eulogy.
“I loved Sam before he was born,” she said.
She told stories about their mother would take her and her siblings to church every Sunday, and how religion played a foundational role in their lives. “She taught us the power of prayer and the importance of doing what is right and having a moral compass.”
That moral compass, Moore said, stayed with her little brother throughout his life and drove his dedication to serve others. “He had a conviction of being there for someone and that brought (him) joy and happiness,” she said.
Moore described her brother as adventurous, silly, musically inclined, sporty, intelligent, curious, musically inclined, an animal lover, and someone who loved his family dearly.
“We would come home and sit down and he would help (his niece and nephews) with their homework. When they were done, they would spend time outside playing lacrosse in the front yard or Nintendo Switch if it was too hot. He was always interested in what they were doing,” she said.
“He also loved to be the one to show them favorite shows and movies from our childhood and deciding that yes, they are finally old enough to watch that movie.”
Riveros’ mother, Lilly Goldstein, was one of the final family members to tell the crowd about the life her son lived.
Through tears, she spoke about how she wished her son had chosen a different job. “He chose a career that as a mother, I feared for his life… The pain of losing him is deep and hurts so deep inside,” Goldstein said. “Please don’t let his memory be forgotten.”
Riveros’ death marks the first line of duty death for the Baldwin Park Police Department, according to officer Juan Serrato.
Riveros had been on the police force for nine years and was chosen to be on the department’s SWAT team in July 2019. Last year, he was appointed to be a field training officer, according to police.
On Saturday, May 31, at around 7:12 p.m., Riveros and the other responding officer, Anthony Pimentel, were met with gunfire after arriving at the residential Baldwin Park scene. Riveros was hit and was rushed to a hospital where he later died, according to LA County Medical Examiner records. The shooting also left Wong dead and injured Pimentel, according to police officials.
The shooting suspect was shot by responding officers. The man was transported and hospitalized in police custody, and later charged iwith murder n the deaths.
Riveros is to be laid to rest at Forest Lawn cemetery in Covina.