Celestino “Cel” Rivera, was born on December 4, 1949 in Lorain, Ohio to Angelita and Celestino Rivera Sr. He overcame so much in his life at an early age. As one of eight children, his mother passed away when he was only 5 years old. He spent six years at the Parmadale Orphanage. Despite these challenges, he became such an honorable, respectable, legendary man who devoted his life to serving his county and community.

He enlisted with the United States Army at the age of 17, serving his country in the Vietnam War at the rank of Sergeant. Cel was awarded the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was proud of his military service and proud to be a veteran.

In 1971 he began his 49-year career with the Lorain Police Department as a Patrolman. In 1977 he was promoted to Sergeant, to Lieutenant in 1981, Captain in 1983, and to Police Chief in 1994. During his career he was assigned to Patrol, Traffic, Detectives, Narcotics, SWAT, and Special Operations as both an officer and supervisor. From 1983 through 1989 he served as Commander of Patrol Operations, from 1990 until 1994, served as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and in 1994 was appointed to Chief of Police. He retired from the Lorain Police Department in 2019. He was the former President of the Fraternal Order of Police and was the recipient of the Policeman of the Year Award. His rank made no difference to him, he was a Cop’s-cop and he deeply cared for his fellow officers and the city of Lorain. He believed in the people of Lorain and the city’s potential for greatness.

He had a love of reading and learning and received his GED and High School Diploma from Lorain High School, an associate degree in Police Science from Lorain County Community College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Heidelberg College. He was also a graduate of Southern Police Institute, School of Justice Administration at the University of Kentucky.