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San Diego Mourns La Mesa Officer Lauren Craven With Massive Procession and Funeral

Thousands gathered for a 700‑vehicle procession with a church service honoring the department’s first line‑of‑duty death.

Overview

  • Officer Lauren Craven, 25, was struck and killed Oct. 20 while aiding at a multi‑vehicle crash on I‑8 near Fairmount Avenue; 19‑year‑old De’Veonte Morris also died.
  • The Toyota driver, identified as 38‑year‑old Antonio Abel Alcantar, was hospitalized and arrested on suspicion of DUI as the CHP continues its investigation.
  • More than 700 law‑enforcement vehicles traveled from Snapdragon Stadium to Skyline Church, prompting rolling closures on I‑15, SR‑52, SR‑125 and SR‑94.
  • Craven joined the La Mesa Police Department in February 2024 and is the agency’s first officer to die in the line of duty, a point emphasized by colleagues and family in tributes.
  • A police association fundraiser to support Craven’s family set a $75,000 goal and had surpassed $55,000 by Tuesday morning.