(AP) - Family, friends and California dignitaries are mourning a Southern California police officer killed by a recently released gang member while he was investigating a minor car accident.
The funeral of 53-year-old Whittier Officer Keith Lane Boyer is planned for Friday morning.
It will begin with a memorial at a church followed by a graveside service to include the playing of bagpipes, a 21-gun salute and a plane formation flyover.
On Feb. 20, Boyer became the first Whittier officer in nearly 40 years to die in the line of duty.
Authorities say he was checking on a wreck when 26-year-old Michael Mejia got out of a car and shot him. They say Mejia had shot and killed his cousin earlier in the day. He has been charged with both killings.
Whittier Police Chief Jeff A. Piper; Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck; Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell; county District Attorney Jackie Lacey and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris all plan to attend.
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