Memorial held for Merced police officer gunned down during a traffic stop

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Eleven years ago, Merced Police Officer Stephan Gray was gunned down during a traffic stop by a gang member.

Family members, including his widow, children, mother, and sister, thanked everyone for coming to today's memorial honoring his life in Downtown Merced.

Gray's old partner told us he was the best kind of cop, one that took the time to know the streets and the people on them.

"Somebody mentioned something about he loved to sing and things like that," Lt. Chris Goodwin said. "That's all you ever heard in the hallways was him coming in singing some song, always happy to be at work."

Goodwin remembers that Gray always had candy for the kids, and helped the troubled ones think twice about gang life. He says he helped make the Merced gang unit what it is today.

Gray's sister spoke of his happy attitude towards life, and how he achieved anything he wanted during a life that ended all too soon.

"He was just a great guy and he made sure that everyone had a smile on their faces, in uniform and out," Rosiland Gray said. "So that's what was so beautiful about him."

Gray's killer, Tao Rivera, is still on death row at San Quentin State Prison.