Roberto Hernández

Hernandez died after his convoy was struck by an explosive device at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
As an Army Reservist, Hernandez had been in Iraq since last summer. He was a 24-year military veteran.

Rest In Peace

El militar de origen puertorriqueño Roberto Hernández se convirtió hoy en la baja boricua más reciente en Irak.

Con su muerte a causa de la explosión de un artefacto de fabricación casera, la cifra de militares puertorriqueños fallecidos en Medio Oriente alcanza los 50.

Hernández, de 48 años y quien laboraba en el Departamento de Policía de Prince Georges en Maryland, viajaba en un convoy cuando ocurrió la explosión. Se encontraba en Irak desde el verano como reservista del Ejército.

"Tengo el corazón roto por esta pérdida", indicó el jefe del condado de Prince Georges, Jack Johnson, en una declaración escrita. "Es una muerte trágica para nuestro condado y la nación (estadounidense)", añadió.

Hernández laboró previamente como policía en Washington, D.C., Baltimore y Puerto Rico.

Se unió a la Policía de Prince Georges en parte porque pensaba que allí se necesitaban más oficiales que hablaran español, destacó el superintendente auxiliar Roberto Hylton, quien ayudó a reclutarlo.

Hernández es padre de tres hijos, uno de ellos ya adulto y dos niños. Tiene familiares en Puerto Rico.

BOWIE, Md. -- A Prince George's County police officer was killed in Baghdad on Tuesday night.
Cpl. Robert Hernandez, 48, of Silver Spring, was a patrol officer working out of the Bowie substation for the past 10 years. He spent the last four years in District II. Prior to that, he was a community-oriented officer in Hyattsville.

The police department said Hernandez died after his convoy was struck by an explosive device at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.

As an Army Reservist, Hernandez had been in Iraq since last summer. He was a 24-year military veteran.

Police officials said Hernandez received several awards during his law enforcement career, including a good conduct award last year.

"Today this department is deeply saddened by the loss of our brother, Cpl. Robert Hernandez," Police Chief Melvin High said. "On behalf of my office, our command staff and all the men and women of this department, our hearts are with Officer Hernandez' fiance and other family members."

"I'm heartbroken by this loss, and I know the people of Prince George's County will keep Cpl. Hernandez' family in their prayers, as I will," County Executive Jack Johnson said. "It is a tragic loss for our county, and the nation."

Maj. Michael Blow said he was a hard-working officer who earned the respect of his fellow officers. He said Hernandez volunteered to be a Field Training Officer to help new officers graduating from the academy gain "real world" experience.

His squad won a unit citation in 2000 for organizing care packages for food victims in Mozambique.

"His loss will be felt throughout the District, the department and the community," Blow said.

Hernandez is survived by his family in Silver Spring -- his fiancé, his adult son and two children. The rest of his family, including his parents, lives in Puerto Rico.

LINKS

View All Our Fallen Boricuas Heroes in my Gallery

Read about 65th Infantry Regiment
known as
The 65th BorinQueneers
participated in
WWI, WWII & Korean Conflict
www.PR Soldier .Com

Remembered Home