Candlelight Vigil Held For Slain El Paso Officer

Dozens of friends, comrades and their families gathered to remember fallen El Paso police patrolman Karl McDonough Thursday night.

It was an emotional and somber candlelight vigil at the corner of Saul Kleinfeld and Zaragoza, where McDonough was killed Wednesday morning.

Those who worked with him at the Pebble Hills Regional Command told ABC-7 their brother in blue was always happy, always smiling and loved protecting our community.

At the vigil many with the law enforcement family including firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, constables and state police embraced and wiped away tears as they remembered the fallen officer.

Investigators said McDonough died at the scene.

Police officials said a teenager driving a Mercedes-Benz allegedly ran a red light at Saul Kleinfeld and Zaragoza just before 1 a.m.

According to authorities, McDonough was riding in the passenger side of the police unit when Alejandro Fierro,19, slammed into it with his car.

McDonough leaves behind a wife and three children ages 21, 17, and 3.

The officer driving the police car at the time of the crash, Ricardo Lopez was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Police officials told ABC-7 Lopez is recovering in a rehabilitation center.

Fierro has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter. Investigators said they believe Fierro was drunk at the time of the crash.

Jail records show he bonded out sometime Wednesday.

Donations to the McDonough family can be made at any GECU where an account has been set-up.