Downey Police to lead Christmas parade

DOWNEY – This Sunday's Downey Christmas Parade has been dedicated to the memory of fallen Downey police officer Ricky Galvez.

The parade is put on by the Downey Chamber of Commerce and begins on Downey Avenue, just south of Florence Avenue.

Downey police officers will lead the parade starting at 1:25 p.m. They will pause for a moment of silence at Downey Avenue and 7th Street, before leading the rest of the parade. 

Officers will be interacting with residents -- shaking hands, saying hello, and encouraging others to do the same.

“Like everyone in the city, after hearing the tragic news that Officer Galvez was shot, I was in shock,” said John Zander, who is helping organize the parade for the Chamber. “Something like that makes you want to do something. I thought dedicating this year’s Downey Christmas Parade to him may be a way to honor Officer Galvez while we were all joined together in the same place.”