Police Memorial to Honor Slain Officer

Exactly a year after the shooting death of an off-duty police officer, the Glendora Police Department plans to dedicate a memorial Sunday to honor Louie Pompei and bring a sense of closure to the tragedy, authorities said.

The only officer in the city’s 108-year history to die while trying to protect the peace, Pompei’s death shocked the community and inspired an outpouring of money and support to the department, Police Chief Paul W. Butler said.

Pompei, who was 29 and engaged, had been promoted to the Los Angeles Impact Team, a regional narcotics investigation department in San Dimas.

He kept in touch with his friends in Glendora and picked up his paycheck and mail at the department, Field Operations Capt. Leonard Pihlak said. He was cashing his paycheck at a San Dimas supermarket last June 9, when two armed teenagers burst into the store.

“If you knew Louie, you’d expect him to only stand by so long and then get involved,” Pihlak said. Pompei drew his gun, identified himself as a police officer and exchanged gunfire with the robbers. Only Pompei was killed in the incident.