Hundreds pay respects to slain California police officer

Funeral services are planned Monday for a Southern California police officer who was fatally shot in a parking lot next to his department’s headquarters.

Mourners are expected to gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady Of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles to remember 29-year-old Officer Ricardo “Ricky Galvez.”

He was shot to death near the Downey Police Department on Nov. 18 in what authorities believe was a botched robbery attempt.

On Sunday, hundreds attended a vigil and rosary service at the Downey Civic Center to pay their respects to the slain officer.

Galvez was a dog trainer for his department’s K-9 unit. Eight dogs were brought to the service, where their leashes were removed and tied to Galvez’s casket.

Three suspects have been arrested and charged with murder.