2 more charged in cop killing

Men could get death if convicted. Teen faces up to life in prison.

The men are charged with fatally shooting Downey Police Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez in a botched robbery attempt.

Prosecutors charged two more men Monday with fatally shooting Downey Police Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez in a botched robbery attempt last week.

Jeremy Alvarez, 21, and Steven Knott, 18, were charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance — the shooting occurred during a robbery attempt, said the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. The two men also were charged with attempted second-degree robbery and are being held without bail.

A third defendant, Abel Diaz, 16, of Bellflower, had been charged only with murder, but he also faces the additional charges pending against Alvarez and Knott, prosecutors said. Diaz was charged as an adult and remains jailed in lieu of $1-million bail.

The three also face gun and gang allegations.

Alvarez and Knott could face the death penalty if sought by prosecutors and convicted. Diaz faces up to life in prison if convicted.

The defendants told investigators they were trying to rob Galvez as he sat in his personal car in a parking lot next to police headquarters, said Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Lt. John Corina.

Detectives believe that Diaz and Knott approached Galvez in his car while Alvarez waited as the getaway driver, Corina said. Galvez, a five-year veteran of the Downey Police Department, was not wearing his uniform, they said. The 29-year-old Marine reservist had served twice overseas.

The men fled in a Nissan sedan, authorities said, but an officer in the area heard the shots and gave chase. After the pursuit ended, the driver was caught in Montebello.

Hours later, Diaz and another man were taken into custody.

Investigators said the weapon, a revolver, was recovered.

On Monday, Downey police announced that Galvez’s rosary and viewing service will start at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Downey Civic Theatre. His funeral service will be at 9 a.m. Nov. 30 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. A graveside service will continue at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.

Francine Orr Los Angeles Times SOUTH GATE POLICE Officer Rafael Vega carries flowers to the Downey Police Department to honor Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez, who was killed last week. Abel Diaz, 16, was charged in the robbery attempt.

Mark Boster Los Angeles Times JEREMY ALVAREZ and Steven Knott, at the Downey courthouse Monday, were charged with murder. The judge ordered that no photos be taken of their faces.