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Incident
Sergeant Jose Rivera died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while assigned to Precinct 2 at 3903 Bridge Road in Suffolk.
Sergeant Rivera was a United States Marine Corps veteran who had served 14 years with the Suffolk Police Department.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Sergeant Jose Ramon Rivera died on May 31, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 59.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp4v33kn3c3qe51ws0t8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jose. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 3 gates. Jose is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Sergeant Rivera gave the Suffolk Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Suffolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Rivera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jose Ramon Rivera served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Suffolk Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Jose is one of 23 officers lost to illness in VA, 3.5% of the 653 remembered there.
Jose is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jose is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 8 officers in VA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Jose was 59. Of the 22 lost to illness in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 50 and 64; the middle age was 56.5. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 21.5 years.
Jose was 59. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Jose was 59. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Jose had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
May holds 13% of these deaths in VA; January holds the most, 17.4%. Mondays: 17.4%.
May holds 6.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
May holds 6.7% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Suffolk Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 3.5% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Suffolk Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Jose among them.
Where
Military Service
Jose Ramon Rivera served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jose Ramon Rivera’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Suffolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
