Community gathers for funeral for slain Baldwin Park police officer
ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- Family, friends and the law enforcement community said their final goodbyes to a Baldwin Park police officer who was shot and killed last month.
Officer Samuel Riveros was killed in the line of duty while responding to a shooting in Baldwin Park on May 31. The 35-year-old had been with the department for nine years.
When he arrived at the scene in a residential area, he was met with gunfire. Another officer was also injured in the shooting, but Riveros did not survive.
Another man, Darius Wong, was also fatally shot. His funeral service is set for next week.
The suspected shooter was arrested and is facing two counts of murder.
Community members described Riveros as a kind officer with a contagious smile.
Funeral services for Riveros were held at the Toyota Arena in Ontario on Thursday.
Ahead of the funeral services, hundreds of patrol cars from law enforcement agencies across the region led the procession to the arena.
"Sam will forever be remembered for his infectious smile, his passion for knowledge, his big and kind heart, his snowboarding prowess and his love for his other team in blue, the Los Angeles Dodgers," Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lopez said at the funeral.
During the funeral, his sister noted that Friday would have been his 36th birthday.
Riveros is survived by his mother, stepfather, two brothers, a sister and extended family.
