'She shined bright': La Mesa police, community remember Officer Lauren Craven

LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- On La Mesa’s main street, where Officer Lauren Craven once patrolled, the Pink Rose Café held an impromptu memorial gathering for community members and officers.

Hugs and confusion with tears behind sunglasses, members of the La Mesa Police Department showed up for each other, still reeling from the loss of their first officer in the line of duty.

“Lauren is light, she shined bright in our department, even though she wasn’t there that long. 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. The compassion, the empathy that she had is what we are all about,” said Chief Ray Sweeney from the La Mesa Police Department.

Craven, 25, was killed in the line of duty Monday night while rushing to help 19-year-old crash victim DeVeonte Lavell suffering from critical injuries on the I-8 east. That’s when an alleged drunk driver slammed into the crash scene, ending the lives of both Lavell and Craven. Chief Sweeney says his young officer embodied everything about being an outstanding cop.

“That courage and that vision, being able to run towards danger rather than away, and that’s what the San Diego community and La Mesa police are all about,” Sweeney said.

Residents of La Mesa have turned out time and time again to remember their fallen daughter.

“It means the world because we are hurting, and our community is here, and our community is hurting, we are there,” Sweeney said.

The La Mesa police chief wished he could say one simple thing to Craven.

“I’m proud of you for being you, for being committed to what you said you would do and for defending this community,” Sweeney said.

A fundraiser has been set up for Craven.