LA MESA, CALIFORNIA — The La Mesa Police Department added Officer Lauren Craven's name to its fallen officers memorial during a ceremony outside department headquarters on May 7, 2026. The monument now bears Craven's name and her date of death, October 20, 2025.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers, city officials, community members, and Craven's parents and partner attended the unveiling. Craven, 25, was the first officer in the department's history to die in the line of duty.

"This is the first time in the history of the La Mesa Police Department that we gather to memorialize an officer lost in the line of duty, and that reality weighs heavily on us," Services Capt. Greg Runge said during the ceremony. He said Craven's name would remain a permanent part of the department's identity.

"While Craven may be gone from our sight, she will never be absent from the heart of this department. Lauren's name will remain here, permanently etched into this memorial and permanently etched into the hearts of the people who knew and loved her," Runge said.

The monument, installed outside department headquarters in 2010, honors national law enforcement lost in the line of duty as well as California law enforcement, and bears the La Mesa Police Department seal. Until May 2026, the final side of the monument was empty. Capt. Katy Lynch, who was involved in installing the monument in 2010, addressed those gathered at the unveiling.

"Today we add our hero Officer Lauren Craven's name to this monument. Gone but never forgotten, because heroes live forever," Lynch said.

Craven, who had served with the department for almost two years, was remembered for her empathy, professionalism and bravery. Chief Ray Sweeney spoke about her conduct on the job.

"She brought compassion to people on their worst days. She brought strength when situations demanded it, and she brought a spirit that lifted those around her even in the toughest moments," Sweeney said.

Craven was killed while responding to an unrelated crash on Interstate 8. The initial crash driver, 19-year-old De'Veonte Morris of La Mesa, died in the collision. Antonio Alcantar, a Navy police officer accused of striking and killing Craven while allegedly driving drunk, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Craven was the only San Diego County law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in 2025. On May 4, 2026, she was honored in Sacramento at the kick-off to National Police Week. On May 6, 2026, the county honored her at the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial ceremony outside the County Administration Building, where her name was added to the fallen officer memorial wall. Her name will also be read aloud during a ceremony at the National Peace Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.