Stafford Police Department lose one of their own

Stafford Police are mourning the loss of Detective Raphael Virata. Virata, 48, lost his battle with cancer on March 6, 2013.  He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.

Along with police work, Raphael was founder and operating partner of Houston Mud Logging supplies with business partner Dipak Pindolia.

Virata served his community as an officer with the Stafford Police Department, Bee County Sheriff’s Office, and DOD N.A.S in Ingleside. He graduated from Southwest State University in San Marcos with a degree in Criminal Justice prior to beginning his public service career.

He was born on July 15, 1964, in Jacksonville, Florida, to Antonio Mercado Virata and Vivian Faye Jones Virata.  He is survived by his wife Michelle and their daughter Jordan of Sugar Land, his mother, Vivian Faye Virata of Beeville; Velina Tekla Virata; brother, Mariano Jones (Lois Jo Easterling) Virata of Beeville as well as numerous aunts and uncles across the United States, Canada and the Philippines.

Raphael also leaves longtime friend and coworker Richard Ramirez.  Virata was quick with a joke and always willing to help.

A celebration of the life of Raphael Virata was held at the Stafford Centre on Monday, March 11, 2013.

Short URL: http://www.fortbendstar.com/?p=28836

Posted by FortBendStar on Mar 13 2013. Filed under Stafford. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.