Community Gathers in San Dimas To Honor Louie Pompei

Glendora Police Lt. Matt Egan enters Via Verde Park June 9 for the 20-year remembrance of slain detective Louie Pompei. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.

It was a day marked by raindrops, teardrops and remembrance of fallen Glendora Police Detective Louie Pompei.

Local residents, council members from San Dimas, Glendora and representatives from area politicians and multiple police departments paid their respects during the ceremony held at Via Verde Park.

“It’s our goal … to ensure that we never forget the legacy left by Louie,” said Glendora Mayor and police Chaplain Karen Davis.

Pompei was posthumously awarded the Glendora Police Department’s Medal of Valor, the highest honor bestowed on an officer. Pompei’s brother Chester, sister Dorothy Ann and niece Andrea Pompei-Ramirez were supposed to be present to accept the award. However, Pompei’s brother Carlo died suddenly the evening of June 7, Davis said.

Members from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department San Dimas Station were in attendance, along with the San Marino, Culver City, Azusa, Irwindale, Pomona police departments and many more.

John Bur, Pompei’s narcotics partner, spoke of his friend’s infectious personality.

“Louie had a personality that was bigger than life. He’d always stick his hand out and introduce himself to everybody. It’s important for us to get together and recognize Louie, recognize what he did,” Bur said.