By John Gregory, Adrienne Bankert and Laura Montenegro.
Dateline Downey — Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting death of a Downey police officer whose body was found in the west parking lot of the Downey Police Dept. last night.
Ricky Galvez, 29, was found dead at the end of his shift in the 10900 block of Brookshire Avenue shortly after 11 o’clock.
Lt. John Corina said at least two suspects walked up to the police officer as he sat in the driver’s seat of his own vehicle and opened fire.
A fellow Downey police officer heard the gunshots. He chased the suspects to the neighboring city of Montebello, where they bailed on foot, near Washington Boulevard and Carob Way.
“As luck would have it,” Lt. Corina said, “a Downey police officer in his patrol vehicle heard the shooting. He chased the suspects Montebello.
“We are currently … in the process of trying to locate those suspects.”
The motive remains unclear.
Lt. Corina said it appears Officer Galvez was targeted.
“It doesn’t look like it was random,” Lt. Corina said.
Authorities taped off the entire parking lot area. Downey police officers at the scene were emotionally shaken.
Officer Galvez had been with the Police Dept. for five years. He had served as a U.S. Marine for two tours, Police Chief Carl Charles said at a news conference.
Officer Galvez was as “a tremendous young man who loved serving the residents of Downey,” Chief Charles said. “His smile was infectious. His professionalism was always on display.”
