Funeral services for slain Pomona police Officer Shaun Diamond were held in Ontario Thursday before hundreds of uniformed officers, mourning family and friends.
An American flag was flying at half-staff in front of the mortuary at Forest Lawn in Covina, where Diamond was to be buried. His flag-draped casket was displayed as his fellow officers looked on.
Dozens of doves were released above the cemetery.
An end-of-watch broadcast was read by a police dispatcher who described Diamond’s career beginning at the Los Angeles Police Department. After joining the Pomona department in 2006, he was promoted to the leadership position of team scout on the the SWAT team.
“Shaun truly cherished the brotherhood and camaraderie that came from serving alongside the men on the Pomona SWAT team,” the dispatcher read.
Her voice began to waiver as she described Diamond’s many community activities.
“He will forever be remembered for his quick wit, unmatched professionalism and his love for his family, friends and law enforcement brothers and sisters,” the dispatcher said. “Officer Diamond served proudly in the highest traditions of the Pomona Police Department and will be missed by us all. …
“Rest easy, sir, we have the watch from here.”
Before the funeral, a memorial service was held at Citizens’ Bank Arena in Ontario, where Diamond’s daughter and others spoke.
“I’m so angry and heart-broken that he’s not with us anymore, but I’m comforted in knowing that he died doing what he loved,” daughter Margo Diamond said.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey were among the dignitaries who spoke.
Diamond died on Oct. 29, one day after he was shot while serving a search warrant in San Gabriel that was related an investigation into outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The 45-year-old SWAT officer was hit by a shotgun blast above his bullet-proof vest, possibly in the back of the head, Pomona police Chief Paul J. Capraro said. On Thursday, Capraro described the department as “family.”
Diamond was a 16-year-law enforcement veteran, and had been with the department for eight of those years.
He was active in the community and was described by Pomona police Lt. Michael Keltner as a “top-notch guy” and “wonderful human being.”
His mother, Joy Diamond, echoed the sentiment, telling KTLA in an interview last Wednesday that he was a generous man and her “hero.”
“Shaun was a rock. … He was steady, he was reliable,” she said. “I had so many policeman say to me, “I’m a better policeman because Shaun was my training officer.’”
Diamond added that her son’s organs were donated after his death, and that he had previously donated a kidney to his son.
Diamond is survived by his parents, daughter and son.
David Martinez, a 36-year-old suspected Mongols motorcycle gang member, has been charged with capital murder in Diamond’s death.
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