Rafael E. Rivera-Hernandez

Puerto Rico Police Department — San Juan, 127

Felonious

End of Watch May 16, 1989

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 134 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 363

Incident

Investigator Rivera-Hernandez was shot and killed when he was called over by some people he had arrested earlier and was shot by them.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PR-A791F186
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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.
Investigator Rivera-Hernandez served with the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Rivera-Hernandez.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Puerto Rico Police Department

Location San Juan, 127

Platform Identity prpd.pr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 16, 1989

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Not available

Investigator Rafael E. Rivera-Hernandez 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.

Puerto Rico Police Department

279

of 364 officers

76.6% Felonious

127 — Statewide

294

of 388 officers

75.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious