Slain Downey Officer Ricardo Galvez honored at Fallen Officer Memorial ceremony

DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Friends, family and fellow officers attended an emotional plaque dedication ceremony to honor fallen Downey police officer Ricardo "Ricky" Galvez, who was gunned down last year.

The 29-year-old was sitting in his car in plain clothes outside the Downey Police Department when he was shot and killed in a targeted attempted robbery in November 2015.

MORE: Stretch of 5 Fwy to be renamed for slain Downey Officer Ricardo Galvez

"He lived life as a shining example for others to emulate," Downey Police Chief Carl Charles said during the ceremony.

Gavlez was a Marine veteran who served two tours and had been a police officer for five years.

His career dream was to become a K-9 officer, which is what he had just finished training for when he was shot.

MORE: Funeral held for Officer Ricardo Galvez

Family members, friends and colleagues of slain Downey police Officer Ricardo 'Ricky' Galvez remembered him Monday morning as a humble, hard-working man with an infectious smile.

"On Nov. 30, 2015, the department posthumously appointed Officer Galvez to the position of K-9 officer with the associated call sign of 5-king," Charles said.

At the Wednesday ceremony, family members were presented with a folded American flag and watched as a plaque was dedicated to Glavez on the Fallen Officer Memorial.

Days away from the one year anniversary of his murder, the pain was still fresh, but those gathered tried to focus on how Galvez lived rather than his death.

"Let us remember to teach our children that we do not have to turn on the television to find our heroes. They are before us," said Downey Mayor Alex Saab.

MORE: Man shines warm message of support to Downey PD following officer killing

A Downey resident showed his support for the Downey Police Department Saturday night, following the killing of an officer during a robbery attempt earlier this week.