Former Police Officer Mourned In Horsham Township

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — The Horsham Township Police Department is mourning the death of a former police officer who passed away recently.

"It is with a heavy heart that the members of the Horsham Township Police Department announce the untimely passing of one of our beloved alumni," the police department said.

Retired Police Officer Joseph Rivera passed away peacefully last week, surrounded by his loving family, the police department said.

Rivera served as a Horsham police officer from 2011 to 2020.

The Horsham Police Department said that among Rivera's accomplishments was receiving the "Commendation for Heroism" in 2012 for rescuing a resident from a burning building.

Before joining the police department, Rivera was a U.S. Army veteran, serving overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It was during his service overseas that — unbeknownst to him at the time — Joe was exposed to conditions that would ultimately lead to his early retirement from the Horsham Police Department, and his eventual passing," the department said.

In October 2018, because of a serious health condition affecting his lungs, Rivera received a single lung transplant, the police department said.

After a lengthy recovery, Rivera returned to the police department ranks.

"Unfortunately, the underlying condition remained in his other lung, eventually making it impossible for Joe to continue serving in the capacity of a police officer," the police department said.

Rivera was honorably discharged from the Horsham Township Police Department in September 2020.

"In retirement, he continued his courageous fight against health issues for more than five years, so that he could be with the people he loved most: his beloved wife and children," the police department said. "Honor, pride, and professionalism: Merely a few words that describe Joe’s service to his country and his community. Joe, we are eternally grateful for everything."