Kevin Sandoval Remembered by Police Classmates

When Ralph Gramajo enrolled in Rio Hondo Police Academy in January 2008 as a 36-year-old, he quickly developed a brotherly relationship with Kevin Sandoval—the youngest student in the class.

"I used to always tease him that I was old enough to be his dad," said Gramajo of Sandoval, who was just 20 years old at the time. "We would always compete—kind of like siblings."

Gramajo wasn't the only one who looked at Sandoval as a little brother. Everyone in the Rio Hondo graduating class of '08 did.  

"He was confident, and it was contagious. He always knew what he wanted," said former classmate and Bell Gardens Officer John Acosta, who heard of his death while watching TV on his day off. "I had just been [to Burro Canyon Shooting range] myself. I got a cold chill down my spine."

. Sandoval was among the South Pasadena and Pasadena police officers training at the Burro Canyon Shooting range when he collapsed at about 2 p.m. that day.

Although original reports indicated he hit his head at training, doctors found no signs of significant head trauma, South Pasadena officials said Friday. The investigation, police say, points to an underlying medical condition as the cause of death. 

For more information about the investigation, click here. 

About 30 of Sandoval's former classmates met at Denny's Thursday night to share memories and photos of their good friend. Denny's was a common meeting place among the group while in school. Many of them, now police officers themselves, expressed feelings of shock. Sandoval was young and healthy, they say. He was also living every bachelor's dream having just bought a home in Fontana and a boat to enjoy on his time off. 

While Sandoval spent a bulk of his time with friends, he was also committed to the . 

"He loved his job. He was always working overtime," said Gramajo. "Everyone loved him there—he was the golden child. He was very helpful and always wanted to be involved."

Sandoval was already employed as a cadet for South Pas while in school. This is where he learned the ins and outs and even though he was offered a job in another city at that time, he turned it down. He was devoted to the department that gave him his start.

Pasadena Police Officer Elgin Lee says Sandoval was adamant that everyone made it home at the end of every workday. It was common for him to show up in Pasadena to assist his neighboring officers. 

"He would drop whatever he was doing and assist me. I could always count on him and vice versa," said Lee of his former classmate. "He had good morals."

With countless photos and their class flag in tow, former classmates bonded and remembered good times together Thursday. But underneath the laughter and jokes, was a deep sense of loss. 

"We are a rowdy group. But Sandy meant the world to us," Bell Gardens Police Officer Edward Roberts said in the midst of it all.

Gramajo and Sandoval had plans to celebrate their birthdays together in September. "I just talked to him Saturday morning," said Gramajo. "Who would have thought he only three more days to live?"

A for the evening of Thursday, June 23 at Holy Family Church, with Mass planned the next day in Irwindale, followed by his burial in Covina. For more information, visit Officer Kevin Sandoval's memorial website here. 

Click here to read how others remember Sandoval.

Click here for information on how to donate to the memorial fund.