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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, John Anthony Riojas, an esteemed member of the San |
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Antonio Police Department and SWAT Team, was lost to his loved ones |
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and community far too soon when he died on February 3, 2001, and |
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today, we celebrate the life of this courageous Texan; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on November 17, 1963, to Isidoro and Kathleen |
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Riojas, "Rocky" Riojas graduated from St. Gerard Catholic High |
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School, where he was a linebacker on the football team; as a young |
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man, he enjoyed participating in the Boy Scouts and he was an |
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accomplished boxer, earning the title of Outstanding Boxer from the |
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South Texas Amateur Boxing Association of the United States Amateur |
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Boxing Federation; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Riojas fulfilled a longtime dream in November |
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1989, when he graduated from the San Antonio Police Training |
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Academy; he served with the Street Crimes Attack Team and Repeat |
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Offenders Patrol before being appointed to the SWAT Team in 1995, |
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and during his notable career, he was awarded the Purple Heart for |
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his valorous actions; and |
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WHEREAS, On February 2, 2001, Officer Riojas was shot in the |
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line of duty following the pursuit of a suspect; in his memory, the |
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77th Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1600, which amended the Penal |
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Code to better safeguard our state's law enforcement officers; and |
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WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Officer Riojas shared a |
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special bond with his wife, Sandra, and he delighted in his role as |
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father to his young children, Victoria and John; and |
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WHEREAS, Those individuals who dedicate themselves to |
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protecting and defending their fellow citizens are deserving of the |
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heartfelt gratitude of every Texan, and the colleagues and loved |
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ones of Rocky Riojas will forever carry his memory close in their |
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hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Anthony "Rocky" |
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Riojas and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to |
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his wife, Sandra Riojas; to his daughter, Victoria Renee Riojas; to |
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his son, John Michael Riojas; and to his other relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John |
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Riojas. |