Eric was born on February 18, 1980.  I was 13 years old when he was born.  Every time my parents and I would go visit my aunt and uncle, I would hold Eric so that the adults could play cards.  As time passed I got closer and closer to Eric.  As a little boy Eric would tell me that when he grew up he wanted to be a police officer. He was so excited and would often come to my house so I could help him sort out the tons of documents he had to fill out in order to apply to become an exployer.  He would sometimes get frustrated buthe persevered and became an explorer for the Baldwin Park Police Department.  His married young and asked me to bake him his wedding cake.  It was an honor for me to make his wedding cake and share that day with him.  He soon became a daddy to a beautiful son; Matthew.  Matthew became the love of his life next to the passion of becoming a police officer.  Now that he was a father he developed a stronger drive to reach his goals in life.  He attended the Rio Hondo Police Academy and pushed himself to reach his dreams.  In October of 2005, Eric graduated from the police academy and his family and mine were there to attend his graduation.  It was such a great moment for him.  I could still see it all in my mind.  He then began his career with Baldwin Park Police Department and later transferred to Montebello Police Department.  He LOVED being a police officer.  It was everything and more to him.  Unfortunately, on March 9, 2009, while off duty and riding his motorcycle, he had an accident.  He was in a coma for a year and nine months and passed away on December 3, 2010 due to complications.  Although I didn't see him too frequently as he started his career, I was a part of his preparation in reaching his goals and I often pushed him when he would stall as I now do with my own kids.  He was truly a little brother to me and I still cannot believe he is gone.  I feel that his passing was so unfair, but then I read about others who passed on at much younger ages and then thank God that he at least reached his goals, had a son who he loved with all his heart and was loved by many.