Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Genaro Matos-Rivera was shot and killed as he attempted to stop an armed robbery at a mini-market in Cidra, Puerto Rico. At 7:30pm, Sergeant Matos-Rivera arrived at a mini-market near his home, on road PR-782 in Cidra, when he noticed two armed suspects committing a robbery. Sergeant Matos-Rivera identified himself as a police officer and one of the suspects opened fire, striking the sergeant two times in the chest and face, killing him immediately. One of the two suspects was caught two days later near the scene. He was charged with first degree murder, armed robbery, illegal weapon possession, and auto theft. The other one is still at large. Sergeant Matos-Rivera served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 30 years, and was assigned to the District of Cidra.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PR-9BAFDEC2- 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Matos-Rivera gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Matos-Rivera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Genaro Matos-Rivera 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. Genaro Matos-Rivera's cause is highlighted.
How Genaro Matos-Rivera Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Genaro Matos-Rivera is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Genaro Matos-Rivera was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
