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An all-night stay was held to honor the life of Samuel Liberos, 35, a Baldwin Park police officer who was killed in duties.
Over 1,000 people gathered outside Baldwin Park City Hall on Friday night. There, a large memorial filled with flowers, candles and memorials continues to grow.
The speaker at the monument described Liberus as “a man of character, thoughtfulness and courage.”
On May 31, officers responded to a home in the 4200 block of Philharmonicles Avenue with reports of a man firing a rifle in the street around 7:15 a.m.
When they arrived, they were suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body, Darius Wong, 43. He was taken to hospital and later declared he died.
The officers were met by shooting from a suspect wielding a rifle. Liberos began running towards the shot to help his colleagues when he was shot by the suspect.
Officer Samuel Liberos is seen in a photo released by Baldwin Park Police Station. The SWAT team unit will be seen after two officers were hospitalized after being shot dead by a suspect in a Baldwin Park neighbourhood on May 31, 2025. (Citizens) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in the Baldwin Park area on May 31, 2025. (Vuong Family) Darius Wong can be seen in family photos. Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in the Baldwin Park area on May 31, 2025. (RMG) Officers airlifted to USC Medical Center after being shot dead by a suspect in Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 (@baldwinpark_) La County Sheriff Robert Lunna (left) and Baldwin Park Police Chief Robert Lune (right) spoke to the press outside Los Angeles General Medical Center after stealing a gun to one of the press press presses at the General Center in the Los Angeles General Medical Center. (Carlin Steel / Los Angeles Times Getty Images) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in the Baldwin Park area on May 31, 2025. California. (Photo by Ryu/VCG via Getty Images) Law enforcement investigated the filming scenes in the 4200 block of Filhurst Avenue in Baldwin Park, California on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect in the Baldwin Park area on May 31, 2025. California. (Photo of Ryu/VCG via Getty Images) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot by a suspect around Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025. Officers were hospitalized after being shot dead by a suspect around Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025 (KTLA) Two officers were hospitalized after being shot dead by a suspect around Baldwin Park on May 31, 2025. Liberos. (KTLA)
Liberos was airlifted to a hospital, where he died of injuries. The second injured officer was hospitalized in stable condition.
The suspect, Eduardo Roberto Medina Belomen, 22, was also shot and hospitalized in a stable condition.
Authorities say Wong, the father of two young daughters, had just parked his car and was walking to a family party when he was shot.
Liberos was a nine-year veteran of Baldwin Park Police Station. His colleagues remembered him as a dedicated officer and friend who loved to serve his community.
Loved people, colleagues and community members gathered for a candle vigil to honor the life of Officer Samuel Riveros outside Baldwin Park City Hall on June 6, 2025. A candlelight vigil to honor the life of Officer Samuel Liberos outside Baldwin Park City Hall on June 6, 2025. Liberos (KTLA) loved ones, colleagues and community members outside Baldwin Park City Hall on June 6, 2025 met for candlelight to honor the life of Officer Samuel Liberos on June 6, 2025. 2025. (KTLA)
“He was caring for this community and caring for the department,” said his colleague Joseph Valencia. “Everything he did was to make the patch look good, make his brothers and sisters look good and most importantly, protect the city.”
“He’s really my brother, but he’s my crutch and he didn’t know that,” said Sunny Kim, Liberos’ police partner. “I saw it to him.”
“There is no way to convey to you the emptiness and heartache that we feel we have lost the Sammy we love,” Liberos’s sister said on a candle visit Friday night.
On June 3, suspect Medina Bellmen was charged with two counts of murder, along with other charges, the LA County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The charges include allegations of multiple murders and murder of a peace officer. These special circumstances could make Medina-Bermen the subject of death penalty if he is found guilty.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office will decide at a later date whether to pursue the death penalty.
My friend remembered Liberos as a snowboarder and an avid Dodgers fan. Liberos became a law enforcement officer after studying criminology, law and society at UC Irvine. He is survived by his mother, a sister and two brothers.
His family said funeral arrangements were still in planning stages and no dates were set.
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