State Senate approves resolution to name freeway stretch in honor of slain Downey officer

DOWNEY >> A resolution to designate a stretch of the 5 Freeway in Downey in memory of slain Downey Police Department Officer Ricardo Galvez was unanimously approved by the state Senate this week.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 111 would designate the portion of Interstate 5 between the San Gabriel River Bridge and the Rio Hondo River Bridge as the Downey Police Officer Ricardo Galvez Memorial Highway.

The resolution now heads to the Assembly.

The 29-year-old Galvez was fatally shot about 11 p.m. on Nov. 18 while sitting in his BMW 335, clad in street clothes, in a public civic center parking lot adjacent to the Downey police station.

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Galvez joined the Downey Police Department in September 2010. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2008-14 and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

“My hope is that SCR 111 will help the community heal from this tragedy,” said Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, who introduced the motion “They can take comfort in the fact that the life and service of this tremendous individual will be remembered always.”

Two men and a boy were arrested shortly after his killing. Steven Knott, 18, Jeremy Anthony Alvarez, 21 – charged with capital murder and attempted second-degree robbery – and Abel Diaz, 17 – charged with murder and attempted second-degree robbery – have pleaded not guilty. The two older men could face the death penalty if convicted.

Mendoza said Galvez was a thoughtful and dedicated officer who served with “professionalism, courage and distinction.”

Downey Police Chief Carl D. Charles said in a statement that he is thankful for the gesture.