George Aguilar, 46, was a sergeant with the Inglewood Police Department when he was shot and killed on March 31, 1988, while attempting to stop suspects after observing an armed robbery at a gas station. Aguilar, a veteran officer of 15 years who served as an undercover investigator and on SWAT, was en route to a training session when he tried to make a felony traffic stop at S La Brea Avenue and E Arbor Vitae Street and was fatally shot. He became the first Inglewood officer in the city’s 80-year history to die in the line of duty.

Four suspects were arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The primary suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot died by suicide following a high-speed chase on the night of the crime. Joevone Elster, identified in the case as the mastermind and a former gas station employee motivated by revenge, was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery and sentenced to 32 years to life.

Aguilar was remembered at a widely attended funeral; the City Council declared an official day of mourning and a trust fund was set up for his young son. His colleagues and the community honored his service and mentorship to local Latino youth. Does anyone have memories of Sgt. Aguilar or information about the case to share?