MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The San Diego Police Department posthumously named a Camp Pendleton, Calif., Marine as an honorary police officer Monday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar’s Bob Hope Theater.

The Marine was awarded this honor for valiant actions in Iraq as he used his own body to shield his fellow Marines from an insurgent’s grenade.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta, an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, always wanted to become a San Diego police officer when he left the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, Peralta died November 15, 2004, during combat operations in Fallujah.

The San Diego resident was the first of six Marines to kick open the door of an old urban house only to be met by three insurgents, each carrying automatic rifles.

The insurgents immediately began firing and hit Peralta multiple times in the upper torso and head. Peralta still managed to swing open the door so his fellow Marines could have a clear shot at the insurgents.

As Peralta lay on the ground, a yellow oval shaped object bounced near his almost lifeless body. In an act of heroism, Peralta grabbed the grenade and stuck it under his body to shield his fellow Marines from the blast.

Although Peralta lost his life that day, his actions and his spirit will be remembered forever.
“I’m proud of what he did that day and I am still proud today,” said Rosa Peralta, Rafael’s mother.

William Lansdowne, chief of police for the SDPD, spoke out in Peralta’s memory as he was awarded the badge.

“We would have hired him the second he left the United States Marine Corps,” said Lansdowne. “He had the dedication and courage to do great things, and he also believed in what this great country is all about.”

Lansdowne mentioned in his speech that Rafael kept a Declaration of Independence in his room that he read to himself every night. He read this to remind himself of the decisions he made to join the military and to fight  for his country.

Rafael also wrote a note to his 15-year-old brother the day before he died. The note read, “Ricardo, be proud, be proud to be an American.”

Rosa Peralta was accompanied by Col. Paul C. Christian, commanding officer, MCAS Miramar, as she was given these awards and applause for her son’s heroic actions.

As the men and woman attending the ceremony stood up to applaud the actions of Peralta, Rosa could not help but weep, holding her son’s awards.