The Richmond Police Department (RPD) recently bid a formal farewell to a veteran leader, honoring Lt. Esteban Barragan with a traditional final radio sign-off to mark his official retirement.
Lt. Barragan’s retirement concludes a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years with RPD. Since joining the department in 2000, he held a variety of high-profile positions, serving as a patrol officer, family services detective, and a robbery and homicide detective. In his later years, he transitioned into leadership as a watch commander and supervisor of the department’s parole, gang, and narcotics units.
RPD officials described Barragan as a “respected leader and community-minded officer” who focused on building “lasting bridges” between the department and Richmond’s Latino community, leaving a legacy of “professionalism, trust, and service.”
The announcement of his retirement sparked a wave of tributes from residents and former colleagues. Ken Greco and Ed Medina, who were involved in his initial hiring, expressed pride in his career, with Medina noting he was “proud to have completed [his] background.” Many residents, including David H. Huerta and Phyllis Loya, recalled Barragan’s presence in the community dating back to his time as a student at Contra Costa College in the early 1990s.
Barragan’s legacy also includes significant work outside of patrol. Carol Johansen Garcia noted that the Garcia family is “truly indebted” to him for his leadership of the Contra Costa Latino Law Enforcement Association and his many years of supporting the Leonard Garcia Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Within his own family, the pride was equally evident. “Words can’t begin to express how proud of you I am brother,” wrote Linda Barragan. “You are truly your family’s pride and joy and our hero.”
To mark the occasion, the department conducted a “final call,” a law enforcement tradition where a retiring officer’s service is broadcast over the radio one last time, followed by a department-wide salute.
As Barragan begins his “well-earned retirement,” the community sentiment was perhaps best summarized by resident Rosie De Alverez, who called him a “true pillar” of the city whose “dedication and commitment to justice and the community… will always be remembered.”
