Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Carlos Rivera-Vega succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained seven days earlier in an unprovoked attack while conducting an investigation.
He and other members of the Mayagüez Drugs Division had gone to the Concordia Public Housing complex, in Mayagüez, during the course of the investigation. While they were on scene a resident walked up to them and began questioning the officers why they were at the complex. The man suddenly produced a .357 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking Sergeant Rivera-Vega in the abdomen two times.
The subject ran a short distance away and then committed suicide as other officers pursued him.
Sergeant Rivera-Vega was transported to Rio Piedras Medical Center where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
Sergeant Rivera-Vega had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PR-90907A81- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Rivera-Vega gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Rivera-Vega.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Carlos A. Rivera-Vega 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 127, 294 of 388 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this state's fallen. That is 21.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Puerto Rico Police Department, 279 of 364 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Carlos A. Rivera-Vega's cause is highlighted.
How Carlos A. Rivera-Vega Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carlos A. Rivera-Vega is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carlos A. Rivera-Vega was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
