Ricardo Galvez, 29, Downey police officer shot in his vehicle

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lieutenant John Corina told a news conference early on Thursday that Galvez had been sitting in his auto when two individuals ran up to the vehicle and at least one of them opened fire.

Homicide detectives are not looking for any other suspects. “That’s basically it. They admitted they were trying to rob him”. Investigators arrested a man suspected of driving the getaway auto and detectives were interviewing others who were detained, Corina said.

Corina said Galvez was still on duty and was nearing the end of his shift when he was killed.

Another officer heard the gunshots and pursued the attackers as they fled into the neighboring city of Montebello. Authorities didn’t say whether they believed Galvez was targeted for personal reasons or because of his profession.

Galvez had just returned to department headquarters from K-9 training after 11 p.m. and was sitting in a public parking lot not far from an entrance to the station. A forensic unit is examining the vehicle for evidence.

Downey Police Chief Carl Charles said that Galvez, “was a tremendous young man, who loved serving the residents of Downey”.

Officer Galvez, 29, was known as “Ricky” to colleagues. Lt. Mark McDaniel says Galvez was “a model officer”.

Galvez was a Marine veteran from the Downey area.

He wasn’t married and didn’t have children, according to Corina. “Our department is hurting”. “If you can mold a police officer you would mold that police officer after Ricky Galvez”.

The fatal shooting of Downey police Officer Ricardo Galvez rattled nerves among cops across the area Thursday as authorities investigated what led to the killing.

“Ricky was an outstanding person, outstanding police officer”. The 37-year-old officer and his partner had responded to the scene of a disabled truck and were getting back on their motorcycles when the speeding driver hit them.

Presley, a Navy veteran, was thrown into the truck and died. Guthrie was tossed into the curb and sustained serious injuries. He expressed his condolences,”Our prayers and thoughts are with family and the Downey police department at this time”.

Downey Mayor Luis Marquez said that the day was a “tragic day for the city of Downey as they mourn the loss of one of [their] own”.

His death rocked the community in a way that Downey hasn’t seen in years.