SAN DIEGO –Two processions for slain San Diego police officer Jonathan De Guzman's memorial took place Friday morning.
The first procession began at 9 a.m. at Qualcomm Stadium and traveled east on I-8 to Greenfield Drive in El Cajon for a memorial at Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Portions of I-8 east, including freeway connectors and onramps, were closed and then reopened as the procession passed through.
Following the service, a second procession beginning between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. transported De Guzman’s body to his final resting place at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita. That procession ran from I-8 west to State Route 125 south and State Route 54 south. Portions of those freeways were also closed as the procession passed through.
In the late night hours of July 28, De Guzman, 43, was shot five times at close range in Southcrest and died at Scripps Mercy Hospital, according to police and prosecutors. He is survived by a wife and two children.
His partner, Officer Wade Irwin, 32, underwent surgery for a bullet wound at UCSD Medical Center and is expected to recover.
The ex-con who allegedly opened fire on them, 52-year-old Jesse Michael Gomez, was critically wounded in the shootout and remains hospitalized.
He pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was ordered to remain in custody in lieu of $5 million bail. A special circumstance allegation of murder of a police officer makes Gomez eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted.
The San Diego Police Officers Association is collecting money for DeGuzman's family. Donations can be mailed to the San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers St., San Diego, CA 92111, or made online here.
SDPOA officials asked donors to include "Officer Jonathan DeGuzman" in the notes of the online donation or on the memo lines of their checks.
Contributions to aid in Irwin's recovery expenses can be made at gofundme.com/irwinfamilyfund.
