Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Juan Rivera-Padua died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Lieutenant Rivera-Padua had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 31 years and was assigned to the San Juan Area Motorized Unit.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God"
We commit this Officer into the hands of our Lord. May the Officer's loved ones find peace in the life led, honor in their Officer's performance and choice of profession, and profound happiness upon being reunited in the future.
God Bless all who answer the Call.
Deputy Director (Ret) Rusty Featherstone Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) September 20th, 2021
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Juan Rafael Rivera-Padua died on January 23, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 51.
He is one of 884 officers honored here, and one of 7 at Puerto Rico Police Department.
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.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PR-94469804- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Rivera-Padua gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 31 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Rivera-Padua.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Juan Rafael Rivera-Padua is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In 127, 7 of 388 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 1.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.3 percentage points below the national rate of 9.1%.
At Puerto Rico Police Department, 7 of 364 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 1.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Juan Rafael Rivera-Padua's cause is highlighted.
How Juan Rafael Rivera-Padua Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. Juan Rafael Rivera-Padua is highlighted in Jan.
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
