Thousands of Law Enforcement Personnel Honor Memory of Slain El Monte Officers

In honor of two El Monte police officers killed in a recent motel shooting, hundreds of community members, law enforcement officers, and family members gathered at a candlelight vigil outside the El Monte Civic Center in El Monte, Calif., on June 18, 2022. Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times

ONTARIO, Calif.—Thousands of law enforcement personnel from throughout the region gathered June 30 for a memorial service at Toyota Arena in honor of two El Monte police officers fatally shot in the line of duty, with the men hailed as “valiant heroes.”

The ceremony, which followed a solemn procession that began at El Monte police headquarters, was held in remembrance of Sgt. Michael Paredes, 42, and Officer Joseph Santana, 31, who was gunned down June 14 while responding to a reported stabbing at a motel. Both are survived by wives and young children.