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Holding candles and clutching photographs, dozens of distraught mourners gathered Thursday night at the spot where Downey Officer Ricardo Galvez was fatally shot.

A woman tries to hold back tears at a candlelight vigil for slain Downey Police Officer Ricardo Galvez on Nov. 19, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)
A woman tries to hold back tears at a candlelight vigil for slain Downey Police Officer Ricardo Galvez on Nov. 19, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

Galvez, a five-year veteran of the force and a former U.S. Marine, was shot while sitting in his personal car in a public parking lot near the police station, in what investigators were calling a “botched robbery attempt.”

The 25-year-old officer was a “tremendous young man” who loved serving the residents of Downey, police Chief Carl Charles said.

“His smile was infectious and his professionalism was always on display,” Charles said.

Friends and family members cried openly as they sat on the payment and touched the spot where the young officer died. (Credit: KTLA)
Friends and family members cried openly as they sat on the payment and touched the spot where the young officer died. (Credit: KTLA)

At Thursday’s memorial, the outpouring of sadness by those who knew and loved Galvez was hard to contain.

Many of his friends and family members cried openly as they sat on the payment and touched the spot where the young officer died.

“I’m going to miss you so much Ricky,” said family friend Maria Cortes. “I ask everybody to pray for his mom.”

Friends said that family was a priority for Galvez.

His dream was to buy his mother a house, which he did.