Car show held in memory of DPS officer

The Department of Public Safety organized the Southern California KEMO Car Show on campus Saturday to commemorate fallen DPS officer Keith Lawrence and his fiancée Monica Quan, who were shot by a disgruntled Los Angeles Police Department officer in a 2013 killing spree.

The officer, Christopher Dorner, had been recently fired and went on a shooting rampage through Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties that ended with his death during a standoff with police at a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Both Lawrence and Quan played basketball at Concordia University, and the car show was intended to raise money for a basketball scholarship in their names.

DPS Captain Ed Palmer coordinated the event and praised its success, especially since it was the car show’s first year on the West Coast.

“We were able to raise a decent contribution to the basketball scholarship in Keith and Monica’s names,” Palmer said. “Monica’s parents were able to attend the event and that made it even more special.”

Three of the cars in the show were Palmer’s, who enjoys customizing and exhibiting cars.

“Police officers are people just like [you]. We have families and other concerns that we put aside every day to serve the public,” Palmer said. “Also we have lives and things we enjoy just like everyone else.”

Next year, Palmer’s goal is to make the show larger and more successful.

“I don’t think the word got out early enough about this show, and I want to ensure that everyone knows about [it] for next year,” Palmer said.