La Mesa PD hosts vigil for Officer Lauren Craven, 1 week after her death
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The La Mesa Police Department will hold a vigil outside of its headquarters Monday evening to honor one of its officers, Lauren Craven, who was killed in the line of duty just a week ago.
- Watch the report by KUSI's Ed Lenderman in the video player above.
Officer Craven, 25, died on Monday, Oct. 20 while assisting at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on eastbound Interstate 8 near Fairmount Avenue.
Authorities said she was returning to La Mesa from the San Diego Central Jail when she came across the crash, which happened around 10:30 p.m.
Craven rushed to help a 19-year-old driver who was involved in that initial crash, when an alleged drunk driver slammed into them. Both Craven and the 19-year-old, identified as DeVeonte Lavell, were killed.
There will be a community candlelight vigil held in memory of Craven at the La Mesa Police Department at 8085 University Ave. at 6:30 p.m.
"Lauren is light, she shined bright in our department, even though she wasn’t there that long," said La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney at an impromptu memorial held for Craven last week. "From the day I pinned the badge on her and the smile that was on her face even in the interviews, she’s an amazing person, she’s an amazing police officer, so dedicated and loving to this community."
A memorial service will also be held for Craven on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
