Los Angeles County Officer Shot, Was Focused

“If you could mold a police officer, you would mold that police officer after Ricky Galvez”, McDaniel said.

A multi-agency manhunt was underway in Downey and nearby Montebello today for whoever killed a Downey police officer, who was gunned down while sitting in his private vehicle in the parking lot of the city’s police station in what detectives believe was a targeted attack.

The incident happened late Wednesday, shared Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John Corina. He was also a five-year U.S. Marine Reservist. Police have not released the two men’s names.

One suspect was taken into custody following a police pursuit to Montebello that followed the shooting.

Initial reports indicated that a car-to-car shooting may have been associated with the officer’s death, but that information could not be confirmed as the investigation continued this morning. Authorities didn’t say whether they believed Galvez was targeted for personal reasons or because of his profession.

A large perimeter was set up in the neighboring city of Montebello, where SWAT officers swept neighborhoods early Thursday. Bocanegra said he saw police put at least two people into patrol cars and drive away.

The parking lot at the Downey Police Department, which was cordoned off by sheriff’s homicide detectives, continues to remain off-limits, reported Fox News.

The suspects fired at Galvez, killing him, he said.

Ricardo Galvez, a 5-year vetran, was found dead in an unmarked vehicle around 11 p.m. Investigators have detained several people and are now searching for others in connection of the shooting.

Downey Police Chief Carl Charles said Galvez was known to the community as “Ricky”. Our department is hurting. Galvez was a tremendous young man who loved serving the residents of Downey.

Corina said a motive was unclear, but “it appears like he was targeted”.

Downey is a city of about 110,000 residents 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is thought that one more person is being hunted.