Golf Tournament Remembers Glendora's Fallen Officer

Every year in May, officers from all over California attend a solemn ceremony near a monument in Sacramento honoring officers who have died while trying to protect the peace. One name on that monument is Louie Pompei, a name well-known in Glendora.

A sports park and a freeway interchange is named after him, and every year, officers gather to remember all fallen officers in a fundraiser in Pompei’s name.

The Glendora Police Management Association is hosting the annual Louie Pompei Memorial Golf Tournament, Monday, July 18 at the in Glendora.

Registration for the tournament starts at 11 am, with a shotgun signaling the beginning of the tournament at noon. The cost per golfer is $150, which includes lunch, range balls, golf, golf cart, and dinner immediately following at in Glendora.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial foundation, which assists families of officers killed in action.

The foundation also maintains the California Peace Officers’ Monument in Sacramento, across the street from the state capitol. It is a tribute to all California Peace Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The tournament is held in honor of Pompei, a Glendora agent who died while trying to stop a robbery at a Vons store in San Dimas June 9, 1995.

According to reports, two armed teenage gunmen entered the grocery store where Pompei was waiting in line to purchase dog food.

One of the gunmen ordered everyone onto the floor, but when a mentally disabled grocery store employee didn’t move fast enough,  the gunmam proceeded to pistol whip him.

Pompei, who was not in uniform, decided to intervene, but was shot multiple times. Despite his fatal wounds, Pompei was able to wound both gunmen who immediately fled the scene.

Pompei stumbled to a nearby payphone to call 9-1-1, and collapsed shortly after. Pompei was rushed to a hospital where he later died.

The two gunmen were found at a West Covina hospital and arrested. They are currently serving life sentences.

Glendora Police say Pompei’s death brought significant changes to officer safety and training.

"Before, officers practiced shooting on an immoveable target," said Castro days before the 16th anniversary of Pompei’s death. "Nowadays, we try to simulate real situations -- we put officers in a state of stress, they practice running and shooting at moving targets.”

Since Pompei’s death, the Glendora Police Department has vowed never to forget the officers who have paid the price for the public’s safety.

For more information on the golf tournament