RIVERA, LUIS ERWIN "NOLITO" (AGE 44) OF BRYANS ROAD, MARYLAND.

On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, Luis Erwin Rivera suddenly departed this life for one eternal at the Civista Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland.

The only son of Aelis and Luis, he was affectionately known as "Nolito," and was born on February 3, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York.

Luis attended Automotive High School (Class of '83) in New York and was certified as an ASE mechanic but never practiced the trade.

His parents moved to Peurto Rico in 1983, taking the family with them. He later returned to New York and it was there that Louis saw that the Metropolitan Police Department were in need of bilingual police officers. He applied and was accepted into the Metropolitan Police Academy graduating with the class of 86-3. His first duty assignment was with the First District Precinct as a Patrol Officer. Later he served as a First District Vice Officer. He applied and was accepted into the elite SOD/ E.O.D., Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, and was also a part of the Special Events Presidential Escort Unit (Motorman). With 23 years of service and the rank of Private 1st Class he was well liked and respected by his peers.

In addition, he was a Mason 3rd Degree and the Sergeant at Arms of the Archangels Riders Motorcycle Club out of Elkridge, Maryland. Nolito enjoyed baseball (New York Yankees), football (Dallas Cowboys), eating and cooking, reading and playing golf but riding his Harley Davidson (Cross Bones) and his Big Dog Chopper was his passion. He was especially proud to be a participant of Rolling Thunder during the Memorial Day Celebration.

Visiting his sister, Carmen in Nanuet, New York and vacations to Puerto Rico to visit family were important to him as was spending time with his girlfriend, Mayra.

Nolito was known for being brutally honest and straightforward. He was a good friend but more importantly, he was a good man with an explosive personality and a big heart.

In addition to his parents, Aelis and Luis, left to mourn his passing but celebrate his life are his children, Jonathan, Luis, and Ashley Rivera, sisters, Jazmin and Carmen, girlfriend, Mayra, his police family and countless friends.

Viewing, 4:00pm until 9:00pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009 in the Chapel of THORNTON Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, (State Route #227) Indian Head, Maryland. Memorial Prayer Service, 10:00am, Monday, December 7, 2009 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 619 10th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Interment, Wednesday, December 9, 2009, Municipal Cemetery of Guanica, Guanica, Puerto Rico.

Contact Funeral Home in Puerto Rico:
Funeraria Y Capillas Charles
6 Calle 13 De Marzo
Guanica, Puerto Rico 00653
(787) 821-5235