A procession by fellow law enforcement was held Thursday for Lauren Craven, a 25-year-old La Mesa police officer who was killed in the line of duty while assisting a motorist at the scene of a crash on Interstate 8.
The ceremony began at 10 a.m. Thursday from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office to Craven's resting place at El Camino Memorial Park on Carroll Canyon Road in Sorrento Valley.
Craven is survived by her partner, parents and was fondly remembered by her colleagues as an officer who always served with compassion for others.
Flags at the state Capitol and the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff in honor of Craven, the Governor's Office announced.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide participated in Thursday's ceremony to pay their respects.
"In an effort to support the family of Officer Lauren Craven, the La Mesa Police Officers' Association (LMPOA) has launched an official Fund a Hero campaign," the police association said in a statement. "All proceeds will go directly to her family."
The association's goal is to raise $50,000 for Craven's family and as of early Thursday morning, contributions to the fundraiser had reached $23,931.
Officer Craven, a Bend, Oregon native who celebrated her birthday on Oct. 7, was aiding a driver whose car had overturned on the eastbound side of the freeway at Fairmount Avenue in San Diego when another vehicle struck them shortly before 10:30 p.m. Monday, according to the La Mesa Police Department.
Craven, who joined the LMPD in February 2024 and was assigned to its patrol unit, died at the scene, as did the driver involved in the initial crash.
The name of the deceased motorist was later identified as 19-year-old De'Veonte Morris, but authorities had not released information regarding the person whose vehicle struck Craven and Morris.
"He was just my rock. I don't even know how I can even live or think or eat or drink or sleep without him. He was heaven on earth," Morris' mother, Annesha Meekie, said about her late son. Meekie added that her son was just a beautiful soul, he was always respectful, he was responsible and motivated people.
Photo: Veronica Carter