By Tammy Fonce-Olivas, The El Paso Times
El Paso, Texas -- When the family of Officer Angel Andrew Barcena learned that he had been shot and killed in the line of duty, they thought they would mourn his death alone. They were wrong.
Friday, the family of the fallen officer said they wanted the public to know how deeply touched they were by the massive outpouring of compassion the community showed them during this dark period in their lives.
“We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to all those who shared their love and support to us, especially the businesses, the Police Department and officers inside and outside the county and the citizens of the El Paso community,” said Ricardo Barcena Jr., the brother of the slain officer.
Angel Barcena, 38, was shot and killed Sept. 25 while responding to a domestic disturbance on the West Side. His death was the first time in 13 years that an El Paso police officer was killed in the line of duty.
More than 1,000 people, mostly law enforcement officers and the public, attended Barcena’s funeral. Hundreds more shared their condolences with his family through donations, phone calls, flowers and hugs.
“We were very surprised by the turnout. I didn’t think it would be so big,” Ricardo Barcena said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before in my life, but that’s what my dad wanted. He wanted everybody to know who my brother was.”
Officer Barcena was the eldest of four Korean-born children adopted by Ricardo Barcena Sr. and his late wife in the 1960s.
The officer married Kumi Iizuka in August and then graduated from the police academy Aug. 26. Before that, the graduate of Eastwood High School and the University of Texas at El Paso worked for several years in a family-owned business.
“I’m glad my dad got what he wanted. I also hope this brings to light how dangerous the job (of a police officer) can be and that maybe it will get people to think about domestic violence and what they can do to help,” Ricardo Barcena Jr. said.