The community and the Alhambra Police Department are grieving the heartbreaking loss of Officer Alec Sanders, aged 28, who died in a high-speed chase accident early Thursday morning, which also resulted in the death of a civilian.
Authorities reported that the event took place around 3 a.m. at the junction of Valley Boulevard and Edgewood Drive. The pursuit concluded when a gray SUV crashed into an Alhambra police car. Eyewitnesses stated that the impact was so severe it caused a civilian to be thrown from the SUV, and he was declared dead at the site in an alley behind a nearby restaurant. Another person from the SUV was arrested and taken to the hospital.
Officer Sanders had been with the Alhambra Police for eight months and had previously served with the Long Beach Police Department for one year. He was in the patrol car at the time the crash happened. His vehicle suffered significant damage, with the front end smashed and the airbags deployed. He was transported to Los Angeles General Medical Center with a police escort but regrettably could not be saved. Sanders is survived by two younger sisters and is honored by colleagues and friends as a devoted officer, an avid supporter of the Dallas Cowboys, and a fitness enthusiast.
Valley Boulevard was closed for several blocks as investigators from the Alhambra Police Department, the Gabriel Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol assessed the site. The inquiry regarding the events surrounding the pursuit and subsequent crash is still in progress.
The passing of Officer Sanders has profoundly impacted his fellow officers, the Alhambra community, and citizens throughout the area. Schools, local groups, and neighbors have conveyed their condolences and support for his family.
This unfortunate event highlights the daily risks that law enforcement personnel face. The commitment, service, and vibrant spirit of Alec Sanders will always be remembered, and his legacy as a devoted officer and cherished member of the community will endure. His absence will be deeply felt, always valued, and lovingly recalled.
