 In the quiet of a Friday evening, the Baldwin Park, CA, community gathered with heavy hearts to remember a beloved public servant. Officer Samuel Riveros—a devoted husband, father, and dedicated member of the Baldwin Park Police Department—was honored at a solemn vigil on June 6, just days after his End of Watch on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Officer Riveros’s passing has left a profound void in the Baldwin Park Police Department and in the lives of those who knew and loved him. In response to the collective grief, the community was joined by a unique team of comfort and compassion: the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. A Gentle Touch in a Time of Pain The vigil became more than just a tribute—it became a moment of healing. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), and Salome (Faith Community - Las Vegas, Nevada), alongside their trained handlers offered silent support through warm eyes, soft fur, and a calming presence. The team helped create a space where officers, family members, and friends could begin to release the sorrow and shock that accompanies the loss of one of their own. James Casner, the Heart of Mercy & Compassion ministry representative and point person for the visit, reflected, “It never ceases to amaze me the tremendous opportunity we have to bond with our fellow human beings when we are out with our Comfort Dogs. We can help carry the burden of others… with our dogs as a bridge to sharing, listening, or sitting in silence.” Support Beyond the Frontlines The ministry’s outreach extended beyond the vigil. The team also visited the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner—often an overlooked group of first responders who bear the weight of tragedy behind closed doors. Both shifts of staff at the coroner’s office welcomed the time to simply sit, talk, and decompress with the dogs. Smiles surfaced. Shoulders eased. And, for a moment, healing began. One particularly moving moment came with a lieutenant from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Investigators. “Her team deals with so much,” a handler shared. “She really needed the time to sit with the dogs and love on them and be loved in return.” The lieutenant had recently lost her own dog, making the visit all the more meaningful. A Community United in Grief and Grace In tragedy, Baldwin Park found a moment of peace through the quiet empathy of Comfort Dogs. Their presence reminded everyone—from uniformed officers to grieving citizens—that no one walks through grief alone. Comments are closed.
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