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Slain Pomona SWAT officer’s funeral is today; procession to follow

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Some streets in downtown Pomona will be closed Thursday morning for a funeral procession for slain SWAT officer Shaun Diamond, officials announced.

Services for the 16-year veteran will begin at 10 a.m. at Ontario Citizens’ Bank Arena before a procession of Pomona police and other emergency vehicles heads through downtown en route to Forest Lawn cemetery in Covina.

Officers from neighboring cities, including Claremont and Arcadia, will patrol Pomona streets during the services so as many Pomona officers as possible can attend the funeral, officials said.

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The Police Department’s front office will be closed Thursday.

Diamond, 45, was shot Oct. 28 as he tried to enter the home of David Martinez, a 36-year-old known member of the Mongols motorcycle gang, authorities said. Diamond was part of a SWAT team serving a search warrant.

Authorities say Diamond was standing behind officers as they smashed through the front door of Martinez’s home in San Gabriel with a battering ram during a search warrant operation, which was part of a larger investigation into the gang.

As officers entered the home, Martinez fired a single shotgun round and Diamond was struck in the back of his head, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said.

Officers quickly retreated, pulling Diamond to safety. Martinez, Nishida said, was immediately arrested.

Diamond died early the next day. He is survived by his two children.

Martinez was charged with murder and gun and gang violations. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 13. Prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty.

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.

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