U.S. Honor Flag flies in Downey

Photo by Mario Guerra

DOWNEY -- The U.S. Honor Flag, a ceremonial flag that travels across the country paying tribute to fallen police officers, arrived in Downey on Thursday where it was flying outside City Hall in honor of Ricky Galvez, the Downey police officer killed last week.

The flag arrived in Downey at 2 p.m. escorted by L.A. County Sheriff's Department deputies. It will be lowered ceremonially at 7 p.m.

The flag will fly a total of five hours -- one hour for each of Galvez's five years of service.

Members of Galvez's family were in attendance as the flag was raised Thursday. Most of the police department's sworn staff saluted during the ceremony.

The flag came to Downey from Colorado, where it was flying for Colorado State Trooper Jaimie Jursevics, who was killed in Nov. 15 traffic collision.