A community of police officers gathered with residents, politicians and mayors for an emotional candlelight vigil Friday to remember Officer Samuel Riveros, who was killed May 31 during a gun- battle in the city called the Hub of the San Gabriel Valley.

He was 35.

The crowd of hundreds who stood outside Badwin Park City Hall also came to mourn Darius Wong, 43, of Walnut. The father of two was found dead at the scene. He had just dropped off his wife, daughters and sister-in-law at a housewarming party on Filhurst Avenue.

Another officer, Anthony Pimentel, was shot during the incident and survived.

“He gave his all and his life to serve the community, with no hesitation to rush into harm’s way,” Police Chief Robert Lopez said in remarks he delivered in Spanish and English.

The memorial for Riveros featured standing wreaths from police departments from Anaheim and Arcadia, Fontana, Riverside, Santa Ana, Monterey Park and Monrovia.

Mayor Alejandra Avila shared memories and stories of Riveros, a nine-year veteran of the department known as an avid snowboarder and Dodgers fan so dedicated he traveled to other ballparks to watch them play.

Detective Mark Berumen said he lost a piece of his heart when the man he considered a little brother, “our Sammy” died.

“He was more than a badge,” he said, regaling the gathering with Sammy-isms such as how he peppered meandering conversations with “mind you” and “and again’s”; his love for concerts and cigars and of course, the other team in blue.

“In this line of work, we form bonds that run deeper than most can ever understand,” Berumen said. “We rely on each other in ways that can’t be put into words.”

Sgt. Chris Rivera read a statement from Mindy Wong, Darius Wong’s widow, who eulogized him for standing strong for his family and believing in a kind world.

Kimberly Perez, 18, said Riveros was her favorite trainer in the Police Explorers program.

“He would do a three-hour training with us even after he worked a 12-hour day,” she said. “He was very professional and dedicated and always smiling and cracking jokes. I’ve always looked up to him and now I look up to him even more.”

City Clerk Chris Saenz said he first met Riveros when the officer helped a family member after a minor car accident.

“From that very first encounter, he was professional, compassionate, and truly committed to public service. In every interaction since, he consistently demonstrated what it means to serve with honor,” Saenz said. “Earlier this April, Officer Riveros joined the Baldwin Park POA in surprising one of our Eastside Little League teams with new sweaters. As a board member, I was so proud to see our kids look up to him, not just as a police officer, but as a role model who cared deeply for his community.”

Saenz said Riveros’ legacy is one of bravery, kindness, and unwavering service to Baldwin Park. “It is now our turn to stand with him and his family, just as he stood with all of us,” he said.

John Aratan, 40, resident manager at the nearby TELACU Senior Court said in the six years he’s known him, Riveros brought comfort to seniors when he answered calls to the complex.

“Anytime he arrived, Sam always gave a sense of safety and reassurance to our residents, he was a veritable keeper of peace of our community,” Aratan said.

Riveros, whose family came from Chile, was an alumni of Pasadena City College and UC Irvine, and most recently became a field training officer at Baldwin Park Police Department. He lived in Pasadena and is survived by his mother, a sister, brothers, a niece and nephews.

His sister said her brother would want people to “be a little kinder, be a little more patient, be a little better, hold your loved ones a little tighter and show your love for them every day.”

The Baldwin Park City Council grieved for both Riveros and Wong, expressing their condolences to their families at their meeting on Wednesday, May 4. A fundraiser set up by Fund a Hero, the fundraising platform of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), has raised more than $48,900 as of Friday afternoon.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, D-West Covina, and Supervisor Kathryn Barger, were among the many leaders who offered condolences after the shootings on May 31. Barger ordered flags at all county facilities be lowered to half-staff in remembrance of Riveros.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspected shooter as Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22. He was wounded in the gun battle and is in stable condition. Medina-Berumen, who lives on Filhurst Avenue with his mother, faces five charges, including murder, attempted murder and possession of an assault rifle, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Medina-Berumen could face life in prison or the death penalty.

At vigil’s end, Berumen led the crowd in a Dodgers-style send off, cheering, “Let’s go, Sammy!” in the place where he served for nine years. The songs and field of light from hundreds of candles lit up the night as darkness fell.

“Sammy wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said.