Weather 
ALHAMBRA, Calif. () — Family, friends and law enforcement officers gathered in Porter Ranch Tuesday to say a final farewell to a 28-year-old Alhambra police officer who was killed in a pursuit crash involving an allegedly stolen SUV.
Officer Alec Sanders was remembered as a young man who was dedicated to serving the Alhambra community. After his funeral, fellow officers hugged one another as some shed tears for their fallen friend.
“Ever since I’ve know Alec, he was always determined to actually do the work and never complained about anything,” Alhambra police Officer Kevin Salvatierra said. “Very quiet guy and always came up and just did the job.”
Sanders was fatally injured around 3 a.m. Nov. 20 at the intersection of Edgewood Street and Valley Boulevard in Alhambra.
Steven Ara Zapata, 27, of El Monte, was driving the allegedly stolen SUV that collided with Sanders’ police cruiser, according to police and prosecutors. A passenger in the SUV, 42-year-old Gabriela Moreno, was also killed in the crash. Zapata has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.
Sanders had been with the department for just eight months and was covering a colleague’s shift when he was fatally injured. He previously served about a year with the Long Beach Police Department.
Salvatierra said the Alhambra Police Department continues to deal with the pain and grief of losing one of their own.
“It’s always hard,” Salvatierra said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s our department or another department.”
Alhambra Police Chief Garrett Kennedy and law enforcement officers from across the region gathered at Shepherd Church Porter Ranch, joining Pastor Ave Anaya, for a final tribute to the fallen officer.
A somber procession in honor of Sanders made its way to the church on Tuesday morning, comprised of dozens of fellow officers in patrol vehicles and on motorcycles.
AIR7 captured the moment the procession arrived at the church and Sanders’ flag-draped casket was carried inside.
Authorities have not said whether Sanders was actively involved in the fatal pursuit or was responding to it when the crash occurred. Both vehicles sustained major damage, with airbags deployed.
The Alhambra police SUV came to rest in westbound lanes of Valley Boulevard, west of Edgewood, while the Hyundai SUV ended up in a parking lot behind a fast-food restaurant just west of Edgewood.
Video from the scene showed Sanders appearing unconscious as he was transported in critical condition to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he died.
Steven Ara Zapata pleaded not guilty to murder in connection with a crash that killed two people, including Alhambra Police Officer Alec Sanders.
Zapata sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he was later arrested.
A second passenger in the SUV, a 52-year-old man whose name was not released, suffered more serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to a hospital, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Sanders is survived by a fiancée, two younger sisters and a brother.
Shortly after the fatal crash, Kennedy recalled Sanders as an officer “known for his unwavering reliability.”
“He was the type of officer who responded to every call, whether he was dispatched to it or not,” Kennedy said at the time. “He was just one of those officers. He was passionate about fitness, and he could often be found working out — a habit that was reflected in his discipline, both on and off the job. His intelligence, work ethic and steady presence made him a respected partner and a friend.”
An Alhambra police officer has died following a chase that ended in a violent crash, which left another person dead and two others injured.
City News Service contributed to this report.
© 2025 Television,
