RIP SGT Ramon De Lira Jr

cucu84 · Bulldogs' QB Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 81 Votes: 3

I was in Calecia on Friday ( Jan 05, 07) and I was told that retired Calexico Police Sergeant Ramon De Lira had passed away on December 28th 2006. I was told that his funeral was going to be held on Saturday, Jan 06, 2007. I decided to extend my one trip and planned to go and pay my respects to a man who served the community of Calexico. I arrived at 8:00 AM at the church and saw as Law Enforcement Officers from across the Imperial Valley escorted the hearse to the church. The Calexico Police Department had two Sergeants and four Officers as Pall Bearers. Officers from Calexico, Imperial County Sheriff, El Centro, Calipatria, Indio, US Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection were all there to pay their last respects. I am not much of a sentimental person, but when I saw them all line up and salute, I felt a lump in my throat.

As I sat with some of my old Calecia friends, I noticed that no City of Calexico Council Persons were present. I asked my friends where the City Council Members were at and they responded that they were in a city retreat . My friend went on to tell me that she had been at the wake the night before and no one other then the Police Department had shown up representing the city. She also told me that old friends of Sgt De Lira had driven hundres of miles to attend. I was also told that Sgt De Lira had retired in 2000 after 33 years of service to the City of Calexico.

Now this really Pissed me off and I want to say.

Sgt. De Lira Thank You!! for changing my life back in 1984 when you caught me with beer and gave me a break, that saved my life. Thank You Calexico Police Department for giving him some honor with the funeral procession. Thank You all Law Enforcement and genreal public who attended the wake and funeral to pay your respects and last but not least

Fuck You!!! City Council for showing the community what you guys think of past city employees who gave their life for the city.

Remember Sgt De Lira worked for 33 years. At least one of you bozos should have showed up. You guys could have taken a break and at least attended the funeral. This just shows how you feel about the Police Dept.

If it would have been a developer you guys would have all gone and even given back impact fees. If it would have been a developer from another place all you guys would have flown first class and even taken your spouses, having the city pay the bill.

Citizens of Calexico these are the people who represent you. If they don't give a shit about their employees past or present, they don't give a shit about you. ( they only give a shit when they need your vote)

elchrist · Posted: 08 Jan 2007 09:44 AM Post subject:

You didn't recognize any of the past city council members there?

Expect the city to scramble for some type of memorial of him.

cucu84 · Bulldogs' QB Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 81 Votes: 3

I am truly sorry about not recognizing past council members there. But I consider them his friends, before they were council members.

I hope the City does consider a memorial for him. I signed a petition for a street to be named after him.

As I read what I wrote yesterday, I forgot to add that Sgt De Lira was not the best cop ever, what I do have to say is that, Sgt De Lira came from an old style of Policing. Now a days they call it community policing. Sgt De Lira did all this back then. He was caring, he loved his troops and most of all his community. He was well liked by all who came across him. Believe it or not even parolees liked him. I saw two of them outside the Church that they paying their respects.

See you all later Wink

thegarz · Posted: 14 Mar 2007 12:28 PM Post subject: Sgt. Ramon De Lira

I had the privilege of working with Ramon at the Calexico PD during the mid 1980's. He was a fair man and to be honest, I looked forward to working with him--he was my supervisor on several ocassions--not something I can say about most supervisors a the PD at that time. He will be missed and it's sad to see a 'old-school' cop like him pass on to the next life....but I am happy he is no longer suffering.