Interim El Monte Police Department Chief Ben Lowry on Tuesday paid tribute to the cops who were shot dead while responding to an emergency call at a motel. 

“These two men were loved. They were good men, they paid the ultimate sacrifice serving their community, trying to help somebody,” he said, NBC San Diego reported. 

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The officers, one a 22-year veteran and the other, a rookie with less than a year on the force, responded to the “Siesta Inn” at the intersection of Garvey and Central avenues around 5 pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of a possible stabbing.

“The El Monte Police Department responded to a possible stabbing at the Siesta Inn and officers immediately took gunfire upon arrival,” the city statement said.

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Both the officers were rushed to LAC-USC Medical Center where they succumbed to injuries 

“There are no words to describe our grief and devastation by this senseless act as we learned about the passing of two of our police officers. It weighs heavy on our hearts and we are sending our support to their families. We would also like to thank the El Monte community and our surrounding government agencies for the outpouring support we have received in the last few hours,” the City of El Monte, El Monte Police Department and El Monte Police Officers said in a statement.

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The suspect who attacked the officers was shot dead at the scene.

“Heartbroken doesn’t begin to express the loss that we feel,” El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona said at a news conference.

“They were acting as a first line of defense for our community members when they were essentially ambushed,” Ancona added.