Chelsea Freeman, wife of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, shared a personal story about a kind gesture made last year by Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who was recently slain by a gunman while on duty.
“We met during the Dodgers/Mets playoffs. He came up to me, asked how my son Max was doing and handed me his police patch to give to him,” Chelsea posted on her Instagram Stories account Monday evening. “A small gesture that meant so much.”
Max Freeman was hospitalized at Children’s Hospital Orange County last summer for treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder.
Riveros’ kindness toward children was well-documented with videos showing the smiling officer reading to elementary school students. He was also a devoted Dodgers fan and snowboarder.
Officer Samuel Riveros as seen in a photo released by the Baldwin Park Police Department. 
A memorial outside the Baldwin Park Police Department honoring slain Officer Samuel Riveros. (KTLA) 
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna (left) and Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez (right) speak to press outside Los Angeles General Medical Center after a shooting in Baldwin Park leaving one police officer killed and another wounded on Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 31: Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Two officers were shot and injured Saturday while responding to a call in Baldwin Park on May 31. The shooting was reported in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue around 7:15 p.m., according to CHP. (Photo by I RYU/VCG via Getty Images) 
Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his son’s Brandon and Maximus watch as the Dodgers celebrate after defeating the New York Mets in game six of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) 
Freddie Freeman #5 of Los Angeles Dodgers wears a “#MaxStrong” t-shirt prior to the regular season game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on August 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images) 
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman waves to the stands during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Freeman has missed last eight games as his youngest son Maximus was diagnosed with Guillan-Barre syndrome. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
On Saturday night, the nine-year veteran of the Baldwin Park Police Department was shot while responding to a call of a man firing a rifle in the street. Riveros was airlifted to USC Memorial Hospital but died from his wounds there.
“Our hearts are heavy hearing of his passing this week. Officer Samuel Riveros of the Baldwin Police Department served with honor and heart. He was an avid Dodgers fan from Pasadena,” Chelsea’s post reads.
“Rest in Peace, Officer Riveros. Your kindness will never be forgotten,” states the post, which ends with a broken heart emoji and Officer Riveros’ End of Watch portrait.
Chelsea Freeman, wife of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, shared a personal story about a kind gesture made last year by Baldwin Park Police Officer Samuel Riveros, who was recently slain by a gunman while on duty. “We met during the Dodgers/Mets playoffs. He came up to me, asked how my son Max was […]
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