ALHAMBRA, Calif. — The Alhambra Police Department and community are mourning the tragic loss of 28-year-old Officer Alec Sanders, who passed away early Thursday morning following a high-speed pursuit crash that also claimed the life of a civilian.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. near the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Edgewood Drive. The pursuit ended when a gray SUV collided with an Alhambra police vehicle. Witnesses reported the crash was severe enough that a civilian was ejected from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene in an alleyway behind a nearby restaurant. Another occupant of the SUV was taken into custody and hospitalized.
Officer Sanders, who had served with Alhambra Police for eight months and previously with the Long Beach Police Department for a year, was inside the patrol vehicle when the collision occurred. His car sustained extensive damage, with the front end crushed and airbags deployed. He was rushed to Los Angeles General Medical Center under a law enforcement escort but tragically could not be revived. Sanders is survived by two younger sisters and remembered by colleagues and friends as a dedicated officer, a passionate Dallas Cowboys fan, and someone who loved fitness.
Valley Boulevard was closed for several blocks as investigators from the Alhambra Police Department, Gabriel Police Department, and California Highway Patrol examined the scene. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and crash remains ongoing.
The loss of Officer Sanders has deeply affected his fellow officers, the Alhambra community, and residents across the region. School, local organizations, and neighbors have expressed their sorrow and support for his family.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers daily. Alec Sanders’ dedication, service, and bright spirit will be remembered, and his legacy as a committed officer and beloved community member will live on. He will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and fondly remembered.
