United States of America
Headstone of Richard Grijalva Romero
U.S. Marine Corps · United States United States

Richard Grijalva Romero

Died October 24, 1988

Richard Grijalva Romero served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

How He Died
Manner Accident
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened

Sergeant Richard Romero was killed in a helicopter accident while working on a multi-agency narcotics task force along the United States border. A suspicious vehicle was spotted in a canyon on a remote access road in the Mountain Springs Grade area. The UH-1H helicopter began to descend when its rotor blades struck power lines and caused it to crash in the foothills of the Laguna Mountains. Also killed in the accident were Investigator Michael Davis of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Roy Chester of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Sheriff James McSweeney of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Mark Tonkin of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and the three California National Guard crew members operating the flight. Sergeant Romero was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and served with the Imperial County Sheriff's Office for 14 years.

Media
Richard Grijalva Romero
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Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
Also Served
Imperial County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant
Memorials
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Panel 49W · Line 7 cut as RICHARD G ROMERO
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtn9rmcznzfqbxx42d56q
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated August 2, 2026

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In tribute

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.

Sergeant Romero gave the Imperial County Sheriff's Office 14 years.

Thank you for your service to the El Centro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.

Rest easy, brother.

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

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