Downey Police Officer, Ricardo "Ricky" Galvez

A Downey police officer whose body was found in the west parking lot of the Downey Police Department Wednesday night was killed in a "botched robbery attempt," according to Lt. John Corina.

Ricardo "Ricky" Galvez, 29, was found dead at the end of his shift in the 10900 block of Brookshire Avenue shortly after 11 p.m.

Corina said at least two suspects walked up to Galvez's car as he sat in the driver's seat, and the two opened fire. The suspects were not aware that Galvez was a police officer because he was in plain clothes. A revolver used in the incident was recovered, Corina said.

A fellow Downey police officer heard the gunshots and chased the suspects to the neighboring city of Montebello, where the suspects bailed on foot near Washington Boulevard and Carob Way.

"As luck would have it, a Downey police officer in his patrol vehicle heard the shooting, went in pursuit of the suspects, chased them into the city of Montebello, and that's where they bailed out of the car," Corina said. "And we are currently ... in the process of trying to locate those suspects."

As of noon, two adult suspects in their 20s and one juvenile were arrested. All three suspects will be facing murder charges, Corina said.

Authorities taped off the entire parking lot area, and Downey police officers at the scene appeared to be emotionally shaken.

Galvez had been with the Downey Police Department for five years and had served as a U.S. Marine for two tours, Downey police Chief Carl Charles said at a news conference.

Galvez was as "a tremendous young man who loved serving the residents of Downey," Charles said. "His smile was infectious, and his professionalism was always on display."

Fellow colleagues paid respect to the slain officer as they guided his coffin from the crime scene to the coroner's office.

Montebello resident Victor Bocanegra was evacuated from his home near Washington Boulevard and Carob Way following the fatal shooting of Downey police Officer Ricardo Galvez.

A large perimeter was set up and evacuations were ordered in the Montebello area where the suspects fled from police.

Resident Victor Bocanegra said police knocked on his door shortly after 2 a.m. and escorted his family out to the street.

"They've evacuated some buildings and some townhomes, and they're looking for this suspect that killed a police officer," he said.

Bocanegra said he saw police put at least two people into patrol cars and drive away.

Washington Boulevard was closed between Paramount Boulevard and Greenwood Avenue for several hours.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case was asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.