Two officers shot and killed on the job were remembered by family, colleagues and the El Monte community, when a sea of people touched by their lives and services gathered for a vigil Saturday night.
"Born and raised in El Monte, they chose the path to come back and protect the community they loved," El Monte mayor Jessica Ancona said at the vigil.
"They pursued their dreams," said LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis."And they did it with you, the family and the community."Paredes was a 22-year veteran of the El Monte Police Department, his family said. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. "Michael had a huge heart," his sister said."Big hugs for everyone, and that perfect smile that he was known for by all. And he had a spirit to match it."
Santana followed in his stepfather's footsteps, joining him as an El Monte police officer. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two-year-old twin boys."I never knew this level of pain existed," the letter said."Every inch of my body is broken missing you. I miss seeing you play with the kids. Your heart is one of a kind. Every person that met you loved you."
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