'He would always crack jokes,' said Olga Garcia after a deadly shooting in El Monte left her with only memories of her son, Officer Joseph Santana.
After a deadly shooting in El Monte, Olga Garcia only has memories of her son left. Garcia's son, 31-year-old Joseph Santana was one of the two El Monte Police officers killed during a gunfight outside of the Siesta Inn off Garvey and Central Avenues Tuesday night. "He's a good family man," Garcia said."Really good with his kids. He's very funny. He would always crack jokes.
Santana had worked for El Monte as a public works employee for six years before starting his law enforcement career San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy. After three years, he returned to his hometown to join the El Monte Police Department and follow in the footsteps of his stepfather, Joe Garcia. Joseph Santana at his swearing-in ceremony with his stepfather Joe Garcia."He said his dream was to work for El Monte PD, that city he grew up in," said Garcia."He got his dream.
Santana and his partner, Corporal Michael Paredes, responded to reports of a stabbing when they were gunned down by 35-year-old Justin Flores, who was onFlores' wife, who the officers were trying to help, expressed her condolences Tuesday afternoon. "I'm so deeply sorry. My condolences for saving me," said Diana Flores."I'm so sorry. They didn't deserve that. They were trying to help me.""I don't want nothing to do with them," she said."I don't want no apology. I don't want anything."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
El Monte cancels Pride Night while city continues to mourn 2 fallen officersThe Thursday farmer’s market was set to host Pride Night. A rescheduled date has not yet been set.
Read more »
El Monte police officer, another person hospitalized after shootingTwo people, one of them involving a police officer, are being rushed to the hospital following a shooting in the El Monte area.
Read more »
Officer wounded in El Monte shootingBREAKING: An El Monte police officer was wounded during a shooting and is being taken to a hospital.
Read more »
Two police officers killed in motel shootout were 'El Monte homegrown'Cpl. Michael Paredes, 42, and Officer Joseph Santana, 31, were identified Wednesday as those killed in the line of duty.
Read more »
'I'm so deeply sorry': Wife of shooter who killed 2 El Monte officers speaks outJustin Flores, 35, was taken away in a body bag Wednesday, several hours after the shooting at Siesta Inn Motel.
Read more »
El Monte Officers Murdered, Alleged Killer on Probation for Illegal GunThe man who police say murdered El Monte Police Department officer Joseph Santana and Corporal Michael Paredes at a motel Tuesday afternoon was on probation at the time for being a felon in possession of a firearm, court records and officials confirmed.
Read more »