Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Rueben Rios was struck and killed by a vehicle while he was conducting traffic control at the Glen Helen Parkway in San Bernardino. He was hit by a drunk driver who was leaving the concert. Officer Rios was thrown onto the hood and windshield and then ejected back onto the roadway. The 32-year-old driver was charged with drunk driving and second-degree degree murder. He had two prior drunk driving convictions, one involving an accident. He was found guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter. Officer Rios was a United States Army veteran and had served with the California Highway Patrol for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren. The day Officer Rios was killed, his son took the oral exam to enter the California Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-F223A443- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Reuben. Claim this record.
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
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Rios gave the California Highway Patrol 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Reuben Fred Rios, Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Reuben Fred Rios, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Reuben Fred Rios, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Reuben Fred Rios, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Guilty of vehicular manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Reuben Fred Rios, Sr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Reuben Fred Rios, Sr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
