Dexter Anthony Riley

Dexter Anthony Riley first graced this Earth on a Saturday night September 12, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York.   He was joyously welcomed by his mother, Leonid Riley, and father, Anthony Riley.

About two years after his birth, his parents and elder sister, Tonia, relocated to Los Angeles, CA.  Often the family went to Kenneth Hahn Park in Baldwin Hills where Dexter was delighted to see park-goers ride and do tricks on ATVs and bikes. In the evenings, Dex would accompany his dad to a photography studio in Hollywood where his dad set up or conducted photoshoots.

In 1974, his family returned to New York.  Back in NY, the family settled in Brooklyn.  Soon, Dexter began attending kindergarten at St. Fortunata Catholic School.  In July of 1974, Dexter got a baby brother, Elton, whom he eagerly looked forward to seeing when he would come home from school.  He liked to push his little brother in his swing and to feed him.

He was a happy child, who was admired by teachers and classmates for his intelligence, loveable personality, and charm.  Young, Dexter got up close and personal with motorcycles.  There, he frequently rode with his Uncle Vinton on his motorcycle.  Together, they would over the rugged hills of St. Andrew in Jamaica where Dexter’s mom was born and raised.  Dexter enjoyed playing in the river, eating mangoes, and playing with dogs.

In September 1977, his sister, Danielle, entered into the world.  Eventually, the family moved to Miami, FL, and settled in Norland.  Dexter attended Norland Middle School and Miami Norland Senior High School.  As a student at Norland, Dexter was extremely popular and developed numerous long-lasting relationships.    

Dexter was enlisted by the U.S. Air Force in 1998.  He went to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for basic training.  He was then stationed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea from 1989 to 1990, serving as an integral part of a communications team.   During his off time, he embraced Korean culture and started the challenge of learning the language.  Over the last three years, he had been learning the Korean language with an online tutor and planned to travel to Korea in the future.

Duty sounded the alarm and Dexter was deployed to participate in Operation Desert Shield from 1990 to 1991.  After completing his service in the Middle East, he returned to South Florida and was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base.  He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force and embarked on a new journey of service with the Davie Police Department in 1993.  He served on Davie PD’s Road Patrol, Traffic Homicide Unit, and as “Batman” on the force’s Justice League.

Dexter never let go of his inner child and was elated to bring joy to child patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood dressed as Batman. 

Dexter was a fixture in the community.  As Halloween approached, the neighborhood children were filled with anticipation and excitement just knowing that they would soon be able to see and embrace Batman.  He posed with admiring children and adults who would engage in conversation with their very own local superhero. 

On November 20, 2002, Dexter, welcomed Alexis into the world.  Dexter doted on his adorable daughter and loved taking her on bike rides, road trips, cruises, and to theme parks.  It brought him tremendous joy to see her having fun.  They enjoyed singing and dancing to the music of Korean music sensation, BTS, at home and a mind-blowing BTS concert in New York last year.    

On Saturday, August 21, 2004, Dexter met the love of his life and future wife Mira.  The two had their first date in downtown Hollywood having dinner. The pair ended their date with a ride out to Holiday Park in the Everglades.  On July 6, 2007, Dexter and Mira were married at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Plantation.     

On December 1^st, 2020, Dexter retired from the Davie Police Department after 27 years of service.  He loved being a part of the unique brotherhood and sisterhood that his line of work offered. 

He lived a remarkable life that left an indelible positive mark on all those who came to know him.  Recently, he noticeably conveyed gratitude and love for his family, friends, and nature.  He loved solitude and he loved fellowship.   Dexter leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Mira Riley, daughter, Alexis Riley; mother, Leonid Riley, father, Anthony Riley; sister, Tonia Riley (Oshaine) Welsh, brother, Elton Rily and sister Danielle (Tavaris) Spradley; mother-in-law, Martha Delane;  father-in-law, Charles Delane;  sister-in-law, Dana Williams; brothers-in-law, Alton ( Linh) Delane, Charles (Betsy) Delane II; loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, well-wishers, and the Davie Police Department.