Behind the Badge
Nearly 1,200 mourners, more than half in police uniforms from agencies throughout Southern California, filled the Christ Cathedral Church in Garden Grove on Friday, Sept. 21, to honor the life of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Adrian Reyes.
Reyes, a motor officer and 13-year veteran of the Costa Mesa Police Department, died from a heart attack Sept. 12, shortly after participating with the department’s team in the Orange County Traffic Officers’ Association Motor Rodeo in Huntington Beach.
The family of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes, which includes his children Dallas, 14, Ashley, 15, Brandon, 10, mother Rose Hatch and wife Jennifer, stand behind his casket before entering Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove on Friday.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The annual motorcycle skills competition involves hundreds of officers from throughout the state.
Reyes, who was 43, spent the past 10 years as a motor officer in his department’s Traffic Division.
“He was a leader amongst his peers,” Costa Mesa Police Chief Robert Sharpnack said. “He was driven to serve others from within, to the best of his ability. We call this intrinsic motivation. Oscar was not motivated by external awards such as recognition or other benefits. His (service) came from a different source. His sense of duty came from genuine love for others.”
A resident takes a photo as the procession escorting the casket of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes comes down Lewis Street in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Sharpnack said Reyes possessed all the traits required of a police officer, including “integrity, honesty, character, loyalty, and compassion, to name a few.”
But beyond those strengths, Sharpnack said Reyes did his job with a sense of humility, kindness, confidence and authenticity.
The hearse carrying the casket of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes enters the Christ Cathedral parking lot in Garden Grove under a giant American flag draped between two Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue trucks.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He served as a motor trainer and special events coordinator, organizing police coverage of the OC Fair, OC Marathon, Special Olympics, and other large-scale events in the city.
Reyes also was a certified drug recognition expert, spent time as a field training officer, and was involved in the department’s Explorer program as a mentor and advisor.
Pallbearers carry the casket of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes into the church as law enforcement officers salute.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
On Sept. 12, Reyes participated in the Motor Rodeo. That evening, Reyes felt ill and called his partner for help.
He was found unconscious and transported to a hospital, where he died.
Reyes is survived by his wife, Jennifer; daughter, Ashley, 15; and sons, Dallas and Brandon, who are 14 and 10, respectively.
Law enforcement personnel salute as the casket containing Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes is carried into the church.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“For all the 43 years he was on this Earth he did so much good,” said the Rev. Quan Tran during Reyes’ eulogy. “We know that ultimately, Officer Reyes will be in heaven. This temporary life on Earth isn’t all there is. We all have something to look forward to.”
In lieu of flowers, the department asks that tax-deductible donations be made to Project 999 by mailing a check to P.O. Box 241, Santa Ana, CA 92702.
Project 999 is an organization that supports Orange County law enforcement by providing assistance to officers and families of officers injured or killed in the line of duty.
The Costa Mesa Police Association set up a scholarship fund for the family, which can be found on its website, www.costamesapa.com
Pallbearers carry the casket of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes from the hearse to the church.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes’ family, including his son Brandon, 10, wife Jennifer, and daughter Ashley, 15, walk to the back of the church in preparation for bringing the casket to the front.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Honor Guards prepare to present the American flag to Officer Reyes’ family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costs Mesa PD Lt. Victor Bakkila talks about Officer Oscar Reyes during a memorial service at Christ Cathedral.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A photo of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes is displayed as honor guards watch over the casket during the memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police officers and other city officials attend the memorial service for Officer Oscar Reyes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Explorers stand with officers from various agencies for the memorial service for Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A woman prays during the memorial service for Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Dallas Police Sgt. Paul Figueroa talks about his cousin, Officer Reyes, during the memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Chief Rob Sharpnack, left, talks about Officer Oscar Reyes during the memorial service at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Chief Rob Sharpnack talks about Officer Oscar Reyes during the memorial service at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The casket of Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes is carried out of the church at the end of the memorial service at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The casket of Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes is carried out of the church at the end of the memorial service at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Honor Guards from various police agencies, including the Tustin PD, stand watch as the casket of Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes leaves the church.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Honor Guards ready an American flag before presenting it to the family of Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guards give a 21-gun salute in honor of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The American flag covering the casket of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes is folded before it is presented to his family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“Taps” is played from the stairs as the casket of Costa Mesa Officer Oscar Reyes is carried out of Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Rose Hatch, mother of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes, hugs an American flag presented to the family as she stands with Officer Reyes’ 10-year-old son, Brandon, wife Jennifer, and son Dallas, 14.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Officer Reyes’ daughter, Ashley, holds an American flag presented to the family.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police officers salute as the family of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes escorts his casket out of the church.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A Costa Mesa Police officer holds a flag before it is presented to the family of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Costa Mesa Police Chief Rob Sharpnack presents one of two flags to the family of Officer Oscar Reyes.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Ten-year-old Brandon, son of Costa Mesa Police Officer Oscar Reyes, holds a crucifix as he walks with his mother, Jennifer, and sister, Ashley.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
