Dayton, Ohio – Members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with personnel from the Dayton Police Department held a memorial service for DEA Task Force Officer and Dayton Detective Jorge Del Rio on Nov. 4, at the Ohio Peace Officers’ Memorial in London, Ohio, according to a press release from the Dayton Police Department.
Detective Del Rio was mortally wounded Nov. 4, 2019 during the service of a search warrant. He died from his injuries on Nov. 7, 2019. Detective Del Rio was a 30-year veteran of the Dayton Police Department and had been a DEA Task Force officer for nearly 20 years.
Del Rio’s name has already been engraved on the Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall. During the event Wednesday, a wreath was placed in his honor nearing the one-year remembrance of his death in the line of duty. Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin from the DEA presented Jorge’s family with the DEA Purple Heart, while Chief Richard Biehl presented them with the Dayton Police Department Blue Star.
The Dayton Police Department Blue Star is the highest honor bestowed by the police chief and is presented posthumously, with consent of the fallen officer’s family, to the survivors of a Dayton Police officer who has made the supreme sacrifice while performing his or her duties.
Chief Biehl made the following statement during the presentation:
“This is a presentation, as police chief, I hoped I would never have to give. To you, the Del Rio family, we thank you for sharing Jorge with us for 30 years. We thank you for allowing us to know him as an outstanding, hardworking, dedicated police officer, detective, and DEA Task Force Officer.
As I stated almost one year ago, Jorge acted with great courage, heart, commitment, and dedication throughout his career… (and) he left a legacy of service and sacrifice to this noble profession (of law enforcement) that is rare even among the best of us.
We also thank you for allowing us to know Jorge as person, a friend, and a colleague. His loyalty, dedication and commitment, both personally and professionally, to friends, family, community and country will be forever remembered and revered. His determination and courage in the face of danger every time he went to work will never be forgotten. In fact, it will be recounted and celebrated as an enduring example to all current and future Dayton Police Officers.
Please accept this Blue Star recognition as an expression of our heartfelt appreciation for the service and sacrifice by Jorge for our department and for our community, and know that your law enforcement family is always here for you.”