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.
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- Sierra Madre Police Chief Larry Giannone and Pomona Police Chief Paul Capraro arrive to Via Verde Park June 9 to honor Louie Pompei. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- A portrait of slain officer Louie Pompei sat on the lawn of Via Verde Park June 9 ahead of the 20-year anniversary remembrance of Pompei’s murder. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- A large crowd was on hand to honor the life of slain Glendora Detective Louie Pompei, who was the first and only Glendora officer to give his life on June 9, 1995. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- An almost endless row of police motorcycles line Puente Street near Via Verde Park in San Dimas as officers remember slain Glendora Detective Louie Pompei, June 9. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Glendora Detective Lieutenant James DeMond speaks during the Louie Pompei memorial Tuesday, June 9 at Via Verde Park in San Dimas. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- 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.
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- Police officers and chiefs from around the area paid their respects to fallen Glendora Detective Louie Pompei, who died in a gun battle with robbers on June 9, 1995. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Glendora Lt. Matt Egan recites “The Monument” in honor of fallen Glendora Police Detective Louie Pompei. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Area law enforcement personnel greet each other at Via Verde Park June 9.
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- The Glendora Police 2015 Medal of Valor was posthumously given to Detective Louie Pompei June 9 at Via Verde Park in San Dimas for thwarting the robbery of a Vons Market nearby. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Doves were released at the Louie Pompei memorial at Via Verde Park in San Dimas June 9. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Glendora Officer Ray Kodadek, a member of the department’s Honor Guard, stands near a portrait of slain Glendora Detective Louie Pompei. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Flowers were placed at Louie Pompei’s memorial site, across from Via Verde Park in San Dimas to honor the 20-year anniversary of his murder. A nearby flag was lowered to half mast. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Glendale Police Chief Rob Castro attends th 20-year remembrance of Glendora Detective Louie Pompei’s killing. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- A Pasadena Police Department helicopter flies over the Louie Pompei memorial to honor the fallen detective June 9, marking 20 years since his killing by armed robbers in San Dimas. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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- Former Glendora Police Chief Paul Butler was amongst law enforcement representatives at the memorial June 9 at Via Verde Park. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.
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.
