Hundreds mourn the loss of LAPD officer killed in Lincoln Heights

More than 100 people gathered for a vigil to honor slain LAPD officer Juan Diaz.

The vigil was held Saturday night in front of LAPD headquarters downtown; the memorial keeps growing as many continue to leave flowers, candles and other remembrances.

Among those participating were classmates who attended the Police Academy with Diaz, his two sisters, former teachers and former middle and high school classmates.

Related: Off-duty LAPD officer killed in Lincoln Heights identified

Several officers at the vigil were in uniform with black mourning bands around their badges.

The vigil was held in front of a photo of a smiling Diaz with a sign that read: "Rest easy brother. We'll hold the line from here.''

Sgt. Manny Hernandez, Diaz's Police Academy sergeant in 2017, noted his pupil 'was always asking questions.' "I saw him grow up and had no doubt he'd be a great police officer,'' Hernandez said. "He showed up every day with a smile on his face.''

Diaz's sister, Anahi Diaz, told the crowd her brother was living his dream, noting he wanted to be a police officer since pre-school. Their mother and father "are broken,'' she said.

"We need to stop this madness,'' she told the crowd.

Officer Diaz, was a two-year veteran of LAPD, who often worked undercover. He was last assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, which handles the department's internal affairs.

24-year-old Diaz was getting tacos with his girlfriend and her two brothers at a popular taco stand on Avenue 26 and Humboldt in Lincoln Heights late Friday night.

According to law enforcement, just before 1 a.m. Diaz approached a group of men who were vandalizing the area. He asked him to stop, that's then the men claimed their gang ties and showed Diaz their gun.

Officer Diaz and his friends then drove off in their pick-up truck and the men shot at them, killing Diaz and injuring one of his girlfriend's brothers, the police department said.

It is not known if Diaz identified himself as an officer or whether he was armed since he was off- duty.

A manhunt is underway to find the suspects involved in the shooting. A description of the men has not yet been released.

CNS contributed to this story