First grade Det. Roberto L. Rivera served the NYPD for nearly 30 years and received eight recognitions for excellent and meritorious police duty. He was appointed to the force on October 29, 1973, and promoted to Detective on January 29, 1982. He earned second grade November 23, 1994, and by December 24, 2001, he was promoted to first grade.
During his career, he served in the 44 Precinct, Brooklyn North, Narcotics Division, and the First Precinct Detective Unit. Prior to his work with the NYPD/FBI Joint Terrorist Task Force, from which he retired on December 31, 2002, he also served with the Detective Bureau’s Special Investigations Division and the Arson and Explosion Squad.
Immediately following the World Trade Center attacks, Rivera volunteered for the “bucket brigade” at Ground Zero, working atop the smoldering mountains of debris and remains. On January 27, 2007, Rivera passed away from illnesses contracted as a result of his hours of service on the rescue and recovery efforts. His name was unveiled on the NYPD Memorial Wall in May of 2009.
Det. First Grade Roberto L. Rivera is remembered by colleagues as “sharp, personable, and friendly, dedicated, passionate, and great to be with, both on and off duty.” He was survived by his wife and their three children. His son, Robert, followed in his father’s footsteps and also retired as a Detective assigned to the JTTF.
