Appreciation from Baldwin Park Police Officer's Family to Freddie Freeman and Family for Heartfelt Gesture
Grieving Slugger Faces Another Tragedy:
Tears streamed down Freddie Freeman's face as he spoke in a Dodger Stadium interview room on August 5. His voice trembling, he described the exhausting journey his son Max was undertaking to recover from a rare neurological condition. The condition was characterized by the body's immune system attacking the nerves.
Max had returned home after a five-night stay at Children's Hospital Orange County, and Freeman had rejoined the Dodgers' lineup following an eight-game absence to be with his family.
Two months later, the Dodgers faced the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series. A police officer approached Freeman's wife, Chelsea, to inquire about Max's health.
The officer, Samuel Riveros of the Baldwin Park Police Department, flashed a friendly smile and presented her with a police patch to give to Max.
Regrettably, Riveros was fatally shot in the head during a violent confrontation in Baldwin Park on Saturday, according to a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. Another officer was also injured in the incident.
A Tragic Loss:
California
'A Night of Tragedy': Young Officer in Love with Dodgers, Snowboarding Killed in Baldwin Park Shootout
Slain Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, 35, was a die-hard Dodgers fan and avid snowboarder. His passion for the blue and white extended beyond spectatorship; he even attended games at opposing teams' stadiums to support his team.
Chelsea Freeman remembered meeting Riveros on her Instagram Stories, expressing her condolences to his family. "Our hearts are heavy after learning of his passing this week," she wrote. "He approached me during the Dodgers/Mets playoffs, asked how my son Max was doing, and handed me his police patch to give to him. A small gesture that meant so much."
Freddie Freeman's Journey:
Freddie Freeman emerged as a World Series hero for the Dodgers in 2024, cranking a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 against the New York Yankees. He started the 2025 season strongly, maintaining a stellar .368 batting average and leading the National League.
Born and raised in California, Riveros joined the Baldwin Park Police Department in 2016. He quickly distinguished himself, becoming a member of the department's SWAT team in 2019 and a field training officer. According to Chief Robert A. López, Riveros belonged to a rare breed of officers who were committed to their communities, offering their lives in service and in pursuit of justice.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department released a statement expressing sorrow for the loss of this courageous and dedicated officer, stating, "Officer Riveros gave his life in service to others, a profound testament to his unwavering dedication to duty and selfless courage."
A Heart-rending Overture:
With son Maximus now home from the hospital, Freddie Freeman returned to the Dodgers on Monday, welcomed by teammates and coaches sporting Dodgers blue #MaxStrong shirts.
Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $4 million bail, according to the Sheriff's Department. The incident occurred at Medina-Berumen's Baldwin Park home, where gunfire erupted on Filhurst Avenue.
In the aftermath of the shooting, District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed concern, stating, "This tragic shooting serves as a grim reminder of the danger our first responders face when they answer the call."
Sources:
- Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros: Will Be Remembered as a Selfless Hero
- Remembering Heroic Officer Samuel Riveros
- Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Determined to Be Present for Son in Pandemic
- Man Charged in Killing of Baldwin Park Officer Samuel Riveros
- Cops: Boy, 14, shot while sitting on couch in South Los Angeles
- Samuel Riveros, a native Californian and avid Dodgers fan, served with the Baldwin Park Police Department, where he rapidly became a distinguished member, joining the SWAT team in 2019 and acting as a field training officer.
- Los Angeles saw another tragedy after a police officer, Samuel Riveros, was fatally shot during a violent confrontation, according to a law enforcement source, leaving another officer injured.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers played against the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series when Officer Riveros approached Chelsea Freeman, expressing concern for Max Freeman's health and giving her a police patch to pass on.
- Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers' slugger, faced another sorrowful event, as Samuel Riveros was killed in a shootout in Baldwin Park, California.
- In a heart-rending twist, Eddie Medina-Berumen, a 22-year-old suspect, was arrested on suspicion of murder, following a shooting at his Baldwin Park home where gunfire erupted on Filhurst Avenue.
- Despite the traumatic events surrounding him, Freddie Freeman returned to the Dodgers, supported by teammates and coaches wearing Dodgers blue #MaxStrong shirts, alongside his recovering son Max at home.
