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A TRIBUTE TO ~ RIO JUSTICE ~ Bernard Joseph Melendrez December 28, 1959 - December 7, 2003 ~ RIO JUSTICE ~ BCVC #10, SASS #4277 BART POLICE CORPORAL BERNIE MELENDREZ
	It is with great sadness I write of the unfortunate and untimely death of a beloved friend and mentor, Rio Justice, aka Bernard "Bernie" Melendrez. On December 7, 2003, he and daughter, Aw' Shucks (Nicole), SASS #4279, were returning home from the funeral of Rio's Brother-in-Law in Southern California when they were involved in a single vehicle rollover accident. Aw' Shucks was in critical condition, but is now recovering from her injuries. Rio Justice was a Police Corporal and Range Officer for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Department, a charter member of the Barbary Coast Vigilance Committee, a longtime member of the Richmond Roughriders at Richmond Rod & Gun Club, the River City Regulators at Yolo County Sportsmen's Club, he was very active in CAS, as a participant, range officer and match director.
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Kimberly (SASS Alias: "Lady Greeneyes") and daughter, Nicole (SASS Alias: "Aw Shucks"), as well as their family and close friends in both the Cowboy Action Shooting and Law Enforcement Communities. Rio Justice meant so much to so many people. The consummate family man, an exemplary police officer and one of the hardest working and most dedicated cowboys you ever met; his tremendous impact on fellow officers and cowboy shooters will certainly be a legacy he would have been proud of.
On December 16, 2003, Rio's funeral services were held at St. Mary's Church in Vacaville, CA, and he was interred at the Silveyville Cemetery in Dixon, CA. His services were well attended by a host of BART Police Officers and officers representing 12 allied agencies as well as a large contingent of his cowboy friends sporting their best old west attire. The ceremonies and procession (which shut down Highway 80 in Vacaville) were certainly impressive and were a fitting tribute to a great man that inspired so many people over the years. Top Classic Cowboy, Rio Justice at 10th Annual Chabot Range War, September 2003 (pictured left). PHOTOS: If you have any "choice" snapshots of Rio or other cowboys with Rio from over the years, please e-mail them to EvilSwede@bcvc.net so they may be added to a photo CD for Kim and Nicole. DONATIONS: If a trust fund or other account is set up for donations, we will certainly post the information here. In the meantime, donations are being accepted to help defray the unexpected travel costs and other expenses related to the funeral arrangements. Please send any contributions to the Melendrez Family via check, made out to "Kim Melendrez" to the following address. We have been assured those checks will be given to the family promptly. If you have questions, please contact Mike Hotton, President of the BART POA. His e-mail address is mhotton@bart.gov. BART Police Officer's Association c/o Mike Hotton, POA President 800 Madison Street Oakland, CA 94607 POSING AS OVERALL MATCH WINNER AT THE 1999 ADOBE WALLS ANNUAL MATCH IN GONZALEZ, CA
They say when the sun sets here, it rises on the other side. See you on the other side, Amigo.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 EDITION IN MEMORY OF RIO JUSTICE: 1959 ­ 2003
It is said that life is too short and it wasn't until recently that I became aware of what this met. When I heard the news that Rio had passed away I was hoping that it had been a mistake. It had to be a mistake since it seemed like yesterday that I was in the Gouge Eye playing poker with him - it was Texas hold'em and Rio was, as usual winning. It was Rio's nature to compete in all of his endeavors, be it life, shooting or just cards. Rio started shooting cowboy competitions in 1993 yet it seemed that he was always a part of the sport. He was not one to shy away from competition. Present him with the most absurd stage, or set of shooting guidelines, and he might snicker, maybe complain, but in the end he would rise to the challenge and not let the stage beat him - he would invariably beat the stage. It did not matter what category he entered, whether it was duelist, black powder, traditional, or cowboy classic, if he did not win he would be in the top five. The side events were just more venues where he could demonstrate his competitive spirit. If you were fortunate enough to be selected on the same team as Rio your chance of success improved dramatically. Unlike some competitors Rio did not win by cutting any corners - he embodied the spirit of the game. As witnessed by the family he leaves behind this trait was evident in all of his endeavors. By knowing Rio my life was enriched, my only regret is that I did not know him better. At this time I know Rio is playing poker with the likes of Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, the Duke, and Buffalo Bill, and he is probably winning. I do not know what else to say but there is a line from a movie that comes to mind and it goes something like this, "Lord I give you Rio, try not to piss him off." May you rest in peace - Rowdy Yates.
	Courtesy of the Barbary Coast Vigilance Committee (BCVC) www.BCVC.net