El Paso Says Goodbye To Ofc. Barcena

The El Paso Police Department pays final respects to a brother who died in the line of duty. Rookie Officer Angel Andrew Barcena was shot and killed Saturday, while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Wednesday, family, friends and colleagues gathered at Restlawn Cemetery to say their final goodbyes.

Chief Richard Wiles says the El Paso Police Department lost a member of its family today. In a somber yet beautiful ceremony, Officer Barcena was in the thoughts of hundreds on hand during the playing of taps, while pall bearers held up the flag that had been draped across his casket.

His father Ricardo, and widow, Kumi looked on, surrounded by other family members. Several hundred law enforcement officers were on hand for the ceremony from as far away as Albuquerque.

The ceremony at Restlawn was brief. Father John Peters of St. Luke’s Church read from the bible. Later, came the magnificent release of dozens of white doves. The ceremony was well attended and certainly befitting of a hero.

Two police officers on motorcycles had the honor of leading the funeral procession for officer Barcena. They were followed by limousines carrying his family members and new wife. And next, the hearse containing the body of the 38-year old wearing his El Paso Police Department dress blues forever.

That was just the beginning of a procession that would stretch 6 miles, to the West side of the Franklin Mountains. Flags were at half staff all over the city including the one, raised for the first time just a few months ago near Cohen Stadium. The El Paso Fire Department’s Pumper 3 and many personnel took part in the procession.

Vehicles came over trans mountain at perfect intervals with their headlights on, even civilian vehicles were driven by uniformed El Paso Police officers attending the ceremony during off duty hours. The hundreds of officers in attendance were a majority, but not by far the only agency to honor Barcena today.

There were 22 officers from the Las Cruces Police Department. Others came from as far away as Santa Fe. Local agencies included US Customs, the Socorro Police Dept., Montana Vista Fire/Rescue, Ft. Bliss Military Police, UTEP Police, Anthony PD, the Border Patrol and many more.

Officer Barcena’s casket arrived at the church draped in a US flag. Police officers in uniform served as pallbearers and as soon as the casket entered the church, Bishop Armando Ochoa – who celebrated the mass – blessed the casket. The Barcena family followed. His father, Ricardo Sr. walked in using a cane–very distraught, crying out loud and often shaking his head.

Bishop Armando Ochoa offered many comforting words, including, “Life is always better than no life at all.” and that a life, no matter how short it is, is still a gift to god. The Bishop also referred to Officer Barcena’s death as like a thief in the night—very unexpected.