Hundreds of mourners gathered Thursday to honor the memory of Pomona police Officer Greggory Casillas, who was gunned down while responding to a standoff with a barricaded suspect.
“Today, we say goodbye to Gregg Casillas,” Pomona police Chief Michael Olivieri said. “But it is certainly not the last day we will remember his service or his sacrifice. Gregg’s name will be etched upon the federal, state, county and city police memorials — along with the other Pomona police officers who died in the line of duty serving this community and serving our nation.”
Gov. Jerry Brown was among the dignitaries who attended the funeral service at Purpose Church in Pomona. Interment was to immediately following the service, with a procession leading to Forest Lawn-Covina Hills Cemetery.
Casillas’ accused killer, Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 38, of Pomona has been charged with capital murder and the special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer and murder for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest. Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to pursue the death penalty against Valencia, who is also charged with seven counts of attempted murder and one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The shooting occurred about 9:10 p.m. March 9 in the 1400 block of South Palomares Street. Casillas was killed and Officer Alex Nguyen was wounded, reportedly shot in the face while coming to Casillas’ aid. He has been released from the hospital and authorities said he has been “doing well.”
Valencia was arrested March 10 following a standoff of more than 15 hours.
Casillas, a resident of Upland, had been with the department since 2014, though he was only sworn in as a Pomona police officer last September and was just about to finish field training. He is survived by his wife Claudia; sons Gregorio, 4, and 5-month-old Mariano; his father; his mother Marisela Casillas; and brothers Dominick and Shawn.
A memorial fund has been established for the Casillas family, and information is available via the Pomona Police Department’s Twitter account.
“Gregg is a hero, a man to look up to,” Olivieri said earlier. “He left his family at home to protect yours, and his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our Pomona police officers were out doing what they always do, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect Pomona, a community that we love.”
The fatal confrontation began when Pomona police officers attempted to stop Valencia for alleged reckless driving. A pursuit ensued, which ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into a parked car and he fled on foot into an apartment complex, according to sheriff’s Capt. Chris Bergner.
“As he barricaded himself in a bedroom, officers attempted to contact him and he began firing through the door, striking two officers,” the captain said.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s crisis negotiators tried repeatedly to persuade Valencia to surrender during the standoff, but he refused. SWAT deputies then deployed tear gas and he still refused to surrender. They then entered the location where the suspect was barricaded and took him into custody.
Valencia’s friends said he is a father of three who used to be involved in his community but has battled depression and substance abuse in recent years.