The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Miller: Bill to honor former police Chief Celestino Rivera
State Rep. Joe Miller (DAmherst) introduced legislation July 22 to designate a portion of state Route 57 in the city of Lorain as “Police Chief Cel Rivera Memorial Highway,” according to a news release.
Rivera, a Vietnam War veteran, served the Lorain Police Department for 49 years.
He died in June at 72. Rivera began his service in 1971 as a patrolman, was promoted to sergeant in 1977, to lieutenant in 1981, captain in 1983 and police chief in 1994.
He cared deeply for his fellow officers and for the city of Lorain, Miller said in the release.
Rivera was active in his community and continuously advocated for social justice issues.
He retired from the Lorain Police Department in 2019 and spent the last few years with his greatest love, his family, the release said.
“Chief Rivera will leave an indelible mark on the Lorain community, and I first and foremost want to thank him for his service to our country and Lorain,” Miller said. “He always greeted me with a smile and genuinely cared how I was doing.
“This was the case with any person that he encountered. The trials and tribulations that he overcame in his life are a testament to his true character. His will and determination are an inspiration for all of us and will have an everlasting effect on the department.
“I hope that the legislature swiftly passes this bill to honor his memory so he will forever be a part of Lorain.”
The legislation will await a hearing in the Transportation Committee following the summer recess.
Lorain street, park
Meanwhile, the city of Lorain will honor Rivera by naming a street and city park in his honor.
Lorain City Council passed two ordinances at its July 18 meeting to make the honor official.
One designated a portion of the road on Broadway near Erie Avenue that runs behind City Hall to be named Chief Cel Rivera Way.
The second ordinance renamed Oakwood Park in South Lorain “The Celistino ‘Cel’ Rivera Oakwood Park.”
Both ordinances passed unanimously and the Council suspended the rules allowing the legislation to be passed on their first readings.