WHITTIER >> Mourners by the thousands lit candles and listened to speeches outside the Whittier Police Department headquarters Monday night, all there to remember Officer Keith Boyer, who was killed in a shootout on Colima Road earlier in the day.

“This has been a very, very difficult day,” Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said.

But he said he saw reason for there to be hope. Vinatieri asked those gathered to look around at the people standing next to them, and to be reminded that the Whittier community is strong.

“This is Whittier,” he said to cheers. “By you coming here, you told the men and women of this department that you care. Whittier Strong!”

Boyer, a 28-year veteran of the force, was the first Whittier Police officer killed in the line of duty since 1979, and only the third ever for the department.

Boyer and two other Whittier Police officers were responding to a traffic collision at the intersection of Colima Road and Mar Vista Street at 8 a.m. Monday. When they arrived, one of the drivers involved in the crash shot at them, striking Boyer and killing him.

Officer Patrick Hazell, who has been with the department for three years, was one of the officers who responded to the crash and was shot. He was listed in stable at the UCI Medical Center, said Lt. John Corina, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide bureau.

The suspect was hit during the brief gun battle and is also recovering.

Police estimated about 2,000 people gathered outside the headquarters to remember Boyer.

Many of the residents who showed up brought flowers and candles to pay their respects at the Whittier Police Memorial.

Whittier Police Chief Jeff Piper talked about Boyer’s dedication to his job.

“He gave his heart and soul to these communities,” he said, referring to both Whittier and Santa Fe Springs, where Whittier police have patrolled since 1995.

“You don’t know what these officers deal with on a daily basis,” Piper continued.

He said the department will grieve and never forget their fallen colleague.

Piper ended his remarks with a promise to write a song tonight in honor of Boyer, with whom he shared a love of performing music.

In attendance were members Boyers family, and also members of the Whittier and Santa Fe Springs city councils, Rep. Grace Napolitano, State Sen. Tony Mendoza, Assemblyman Ian Calderon and Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Piper said funeral arrangements are pending.

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