City of Miami Police Officer Richard Rios was named “Police Officer of the Year” by the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis (BiscayneBayKiwanis.org) — one of South Florida’s most active community service organizations — during a recent luncheon at Casa Juancho Restaurant.
Rios, 29, is a three-and-a-half year veteran of the Miami Police Department, patrolling the Coconut Grove area. The former Marine was recognized for his heroism in June when he climbed a crane in downtown Miami and talked a mentally disturbed man, who had chained himself to the crane, into surrendering.
In addition to his crane climb, his supervisors also nominated Rios because he had stopped numerous robberies, domestic violence, and made several arrests of looters during the recent hurricane. The popular officer was the subject of several emails received by the police department praising his actions.
“Officers like Richard Rios — and our other nominees — have constantly put the safety of citizens ahead of their own safety,” said Carmen Calzon, president of the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis. “Simply put, they make the city of Miami a better, safer place to live.”
For more than four decades the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis have honored members of the Miami Police Department. Each quarter the club — an all-volunteer service organization of professional men and women based in Downtown Miami that improves the lives of disadvantaged children in Overtown, Allapattah and Midtown Miami — selects and honors an Officer of the Quarter at one of the club’s regular Wednesday lunches. At the end of the year, those officers are honored at the special luncheon and an Officer of the Year is chosen.
“I appreciate receiving this award,” Rios said as he accepted his honor. “I always wanted to be in law enforcement since I was a child. The whole idea of public service was appealing to me. After high school I went into the Marines and then law enforcement with the City of Miami. I like helping our citizens.”
Since its founding in 1950, the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis has served the children of Miami through educational programs, field trips, and hands on service projects. The 67-year-old Club’s very successful programs include an in-school reading program to help second graders pass the EOY (End of Year) Exam, funding of summer swim lessons, lessons in etiquette, civics, and life skills, Thanksgiving meal giveaways to inner city families and guided tours/field trips to Everglades National Park and South Florida museums.
During the past six years the BBKC has awarded more than $180,000 in scholarships throughout Miami-Dade County, including an annual full, four-year college scholarship to a deserving Booker T. Washington High School senior.
For more information about the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club or to participate in one of its community service projects, send email to Biscaynebaykiwanis@gmail.com or phone/text 305-814-2225.
