Kevin Sandoval Remembered by Former Police Chief Dan Watson, Services to Continue Friday

About 500 people gathered for the vigil and rosary of Police Officer Kevin Sandoval at Thursday night. The 23-year-old police officer, who died suddenly June 14, will be remembered by former South Pas Police Chief Dan Watson for his positive attitude and ever-present smile.

An American flag made of roses adorned the entrance of the church and various police and fire departments from neighboring towns were in attendance. Following a reading from South Pas Watch Commander Tony Abdalla was a touching speech from Chief Watson.

"I never expected that I would come back to the first event of the police department to attend the funeral of an officer, " said Watson, who served as South Pas's police chief for over eight years before moving to Mammoth. 

Watson hired Sandoval about four years ago as a young and eager cadet. 

"We dont pay [cadets] very much; we let them work part-time. We abuse them and have them do all the jobs that nobody else wants to do," Watson joked. "...[Kevin] had that look in his eye that Police Chiefs like to see. ... That spark of enthusiasm, and eagerness, willingness. ... He was young but uncommonly mature for his age."

It was an easy decision, Watson said, to hire Sandoval and support him through the Police Academy at Rio Hondo. 

"Over the years I have hired a lot of police officers," said Watson. "With all respect to everyone that is here, I do not think there were any who I hired that was a better decision than when I hired Kevin Sandoval. ... I think he was a role model for all of us—regardless of rank, regardless of experience, regardless of age."

Services for Officer Sandoval will continue Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the courtyard of followed by the funeral at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the burial at Forest Lawn Covina Hills.