LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Two police officers are dead after being shot during an ambush while in the line of duty in El Monte.The El Monte Police Department responded to a call of a possible stabbing at a motel near Garvey and Central avenues Monday evening.
Upon arrival, a gunman opened fire at the responding officers, El Monte city officials said in a press release.Two of the officers - Corporal Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana - were hit in the shooting and were taken to LAC-USC Medical Center.
Medical personnel did everything they could to revive the officers. However, both Paredes and Santana were later pronounced dead at the hospital. "They paid the ultimate sacrifice – serving their community, trying to help somebody," said interim El Monte police chief Ben Lowry. "Today, they were murdered by a coward.""It is with heavy hearts that the city of El Monte and the El Monte Police Department announce the passing of Corporal Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana," according to a city statement."Corporal Paredes and Officer Santana were killed in the line of duty ...
while faithfully carrying out their sworn duties. Both officers responded to a possible stabbing at the Siesta Inn where they were immediately taken under gunfire.