Tributes pour in for officer killed in crash on San Diego highway

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Tributes have been pouring in after the news broke that a 25-year-old officer who had only been on the force just over a year was killed in the line of duty with another driver at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on a San Diego highway late Monday night.

The La Mesa Police Department said Officer Lauren Craven was returning to the City of La Mesa from the San Diego Central Jail when she pulled over on Interstate 8 in central San Diego to assist with a multi-vehicle crash on the freeway. Officer Craven and a 19-year-old driver of one of the cars involved were struck and killed by another vehicle.

Police say she wasn’t called to the scene, that she came across the crash and went to help.

There were five vehicles involved and the freeway was closed through Tuesday afternoon as police investigated the cause and circumstances of the deadly crash.

The La Mesa Police Department in a statement honored Officer Craven, “Officer Craven’s actions in her final moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the safety of others—a reflection of how she lived every day. Officer Craven was known for her tenacity, courage, and compassion — qualities that inspired her peers and strengthened her community. We ask that you keep her family, friends, and the members of the La Mesa Police Department in your prayers as they navigate this profound loss. Her legacy of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

“Officer Craven served her community with pride and dedication. Jennifer and I are heartbroken by her loss and the significant impact her passing leaves on the larger San Diego community,” Gov. Newsom stated. “We join her family, friends, and fellow officers in mourning. May her memory never be forgotten.”

Two police departments so far, the El Centro Police Department and Culver City Police Department, will have officers wearing black mourning bands as a tribute to fallen Officer Craven.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office issued its “deepest condolences” to the La Mesa Police Department in a statement, “On behalf of San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our deepest condolences to the La Mesa Police Department over the tragic loss of Officer Lauren Craven. Officer Craven’s bravery and dedication to serving others exemplify the highest values of law enforcement. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the entire La Mesa Police Department as they navigate through this heartbreaking loss. Her courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

The CHP Border Communications Center stated, “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who tragically lost her life, late Monday night while serving others. The CHP Border Communications Center stands with her family, friends & fellow officers during this difficult time.”

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office joined other law enforcement partners in issuing a tribute for Officer Craven and said they were “mourning the tragic loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was killed in the line of duty late Monday night.”

The El Centro Police Department said it “extends our sincerest condolences to our law enforcement partners at the La Mesa Police Department, to the families and friends of Officer Lauren Craven who tragically lost her life rendering aid assisting a motorist who was involved in a traffic collision on the Interstate 8 near Fairmount Ave. As a sign of respect and solidarity, all sworn El Centro Police Department personnel will wear mourning bands on their badges until further notice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire La Mesa Police Department family during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Riverside County Sheriff stated, “Our hearts are with the La Mesa Police Department as they mourn the loss of Officer Lauren Craven, who was killed in the line of duty on 10/20/25. Officer Craven’s service to her community will never be forgotten.”

The Murrieta Police Department stated, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lauren’s friends, family, coworkers, and everyone at the La Mesa Police Department.”

The San Bernardino Police Officers’ Association said it “extended thoughts and prayers” to Officer Craven’s family and friends, stating in part, “Officer Craven’s service to her community will never be forgotten.”

The Irvine Police Department said it’s “deeply saddened by the loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was killed last night after stopping to assist at a traffic collision on the I-8 freeway. Officer Craven’s actions reflect the dedication and compassion that define those who serve. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the La Mesa Police Department during this difficult time.”

Officer Craven’s colleagues in Northern California, the San Francisco Police Department, stated, “We stand with the La Mesa Police Department during this challenging time as they mourn the loss of one of their own. Officer Lauren Craven was killed in the line of duty when she was tragically struck by a motorist while providing aid at a traffic collision. Her legacy of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. May you forever rest in peace, Officer Lauren Craven.”

The Placer Sheriff’s Office also honored Officer Craven with a statement, “The Placer County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the La Mesa Police Department and the family of Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed in the line of duty late Monday night. Officer Craven, just 25 years old, was assisting individuals involved in a traffic collision when she was struck and killed by another vehicle. Her department described her as ‘tenacious, courageous, and compassionate.’ Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the entire La Mesa Police Department as they mourn her loss. Gone, but never forgotten.”

The Livermore Police Department in the East Bay Area of Northern California issued the following statement honoring Officer Craven, “The Livermore Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. Officer Craven was struck and killed late Monday night after stopping to assist at a traffic collision on Interstate 8 in La Mesa. Her selfless actions in her final moments reflect her lifelong dedication to service, courage, and compassion – qualities that define the very best in law enforcement. We stand with the La Mesa Police Department and the entire law enforcement community as we honor Officer Craven’s service and sacrifice. Her legacy will never be forgotten.”

The Culver City Police Department said it is mourning the loss of Office Craven and highlighted her “courage, compassion and dedication during her final act of service” in a statement, “It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed in the line of duty while stopping to assist at a traffic collision. Officer Craven’s final act of service reflected the same courage, compassion, and dedication she demonstrated every day throughout her career. In her honor, Culver City Police officers will wear black mourning bands as a tribute to her service and sacrifice. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and the members of the La Mesa Police Department as they navigate this profound loss. Her legacy of courage and commitment to others will never be forgotten.”

The District Attorney of Riverside County also weighed in on the tragedy, stating, “Our hearts are heavy as we join the La Mesa Police Department in mourning the loss of Officer Lauren Craven, who was struck by a motorist while rendering aid. Our deepest sympathy, and support are with her family, colleagues, and community during this painful time.”

The Placerville Police Department said they “extend our heartfelt condolences to the La Mesa Police Department, family, friends, and all mourning the loss of Officer Lauren Craven, killed in the line of duty while assisting at a traffic collision. End of Watch: 10/20/2025.”

The City of Chino Police Department stated, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed in the line of duty late Monday night. Officer Craven stopped to help at a traffic collision while returning from San Diego Central Jail and was struck by another motorist. Her final act of service reflected the courage and compassion she showed every day. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and the La Mesa Police Department during this difficult time.”

The East Bay Regional Park District said, “We stand with La Mesa PD as they mourn the loss of Officer Lauren Craven, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our deepest condolences to her family, friends & fellow officers. Rest in peace, Officer Craven. You will never be forgotten.”

The Fountain Valley Police Department said it “extends our heartfelt condolences to the La Mesa Police Department following the tragic on-duty death of Officer Craven. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the entire La Mesa community.”

These are just a few of the many tributes that have been publicly issued in honor of fallen Officer Lauren Craven.