SELMA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  – Three years ago, Selma lost a young police officer and a family lost a son, cousin, and father-to-be. Former Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Junior was killed in the line of duty, defending his community.

“He was caring, funny, he was just an amazing person, full of life and just loved life. But it was taken too short,” Gonzalo’s sister Alma Ordaz said.

Family, fellow officers, and community members gathered Saturday outside the Selma Police Department to remember Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr.

“It is bittersweet just because obviously we feel the support, we feel the love. But then also it brings us back to that day,” mother of Gonzalo’s child Karla Alvarez said.

Carrasco Jr. was just 24 years old when he was killed in the line of duty.

“We just kind of got together and said a prayer, just reminding everybody that though he’s gone, but he’ll never be forgotten,” Selma Police Chief Rudy Alcaraz said. 

For the Selma Police Department, this loss isn’t fading with time.

“Missing Gonzalo in the halls with that big smile. Those things, they never go away. You just kind of find ways to get through that moment,” Chief Alcaraz said. 

His family could soon have justice. A judge recently ruled there is enough evidence for a trial against Nathaniel Dixon for Carrasco’s killing.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because, I mean, it’s finally moving forward and my brother can get justice. You know, it’s not going to bring him back,” Ordaz said. 

Carrasco remains the only Selma officer to die in the line of duty. It’s a distinction no department ever wants, but one they now carry with purpose.

“He’s a good kid, tall guy with a big smile, good looking, good heart. And that’s hard to find. And the world lost a good human being. And that’s the biggest tragedy of all,” Chief Alcaraz said. 

And as this community remembers Officer Carrasco, his young boy continues to grow up without him.

“It’s hard. He is already going to be three years old. Well, he’ll be three on February 27th. It’s handling motherhood on top of being involved in law enforcement myself, too. It’s all bundled up,” Alvarez said.