A “selfless hero” in his final minutes

K-9 Comfort Dog teams join IL school in mourning safety officer killed while protecting students  ​

In retirement, 52-year-old Orlando Rivas took a job as a safety officer and security guard at Buffalo Grove High School in the north suburbs of Chicago. It was his way of giving back to the community. 

In April, Rivas was killed trying to protect students during dismissal after a car hit a light pole near the school parking lot and fell on top of him. He was rushed to the hospital to relieve brain swelling, underwent surgery, and later succumbed to his injuries.

Students, teachers, and administrators have been mourning him as a hero. 

Last week, six LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from Illinois and Wisconsin visited the school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to uplift the heartbroken campus community and join them in their grief at his unexpected passing.

As one handler shared, “Orlando showed sacrificial love for students in choosing this position in retirement and selflessness in his heroic final minutes.”

​Rivas was a father of four who leaves behind a family and extended family acknowledging his loss as a “big blow.” He had taken the job to support his family and allow his wife Erin to stay home with children. 

The school has hurt too. In a letter to parents, Principal Jeff Wardle said that “Several staff and students witnessed this serious accident. Traumatic events like this can be upsetting to hear about.”

He reached out to LCC for some canine care, and teams from Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin agreed to come multiple days and greet students and staff in the library and common spaces in the school. Among them were Abednego(Immanuel – Crystal Lake, IL), Bethesda (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, IL), Gethsemane (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, IL), Mary (St. Paul – Janesville, WI), Samson (Zion – Marengo, IL), and Shadrach (Prince of Peace – Palatine, IL).

Handlers from the teams picked a word that encapsulated the week of care, comfort, and conversations:

Team Samson – “My word is guardian. Orlando Rivas was a guardian for many, and I do believe he is now a guardian angel for them. Our dogs arrived this morning and assured the staff and students that they could trun to the dogs to guard and support their hearts while they learn to travel their paths with Orlando.”

Team Gethsemane – “Orlando showed sacrificial love for students in choosing this position in retirement and selflessness in his heroic final minutes. We met one student who said he was present for the accident and was struggling. We talked for a while and prayed with him. It’s a good reminder that we need to pray for those who witnessed the tragedy but are not yet able to process it or receive comfort.”
  
Team Gethsemane – “Community. This was such a beautiful visit. These students and teachers demonstrated so much love and care for each other. They were encouraging each other to come and pet the dogs and to come and sit with me.  Teachers were checking in with students and supporting each other as well. The staff made blank Bison cards, so we and the students could share their sympathies with the family. I can’t tell you the number of staff members who stated that Mr. Rivas knew every one of these students!”

Team Shadrach – “My word is protector. I learned today that Mr. Rivas wore the title of Safety Officer, and his last day was a final demonstration of his dedication to protecting the students of Buffalo Grove High School.”