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San Diego honors fallen SDPD officer

Mourners and well-wishers will have a second opportunity Wednesday to pay respects to Jonathan "J.D.'' DeGuzman, a San Diego police gang-enforcement officer fatally wounded last week during a shoot...

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Family, friends and San Diego Police officers paid their respects Wednesday during a vigil and a rosary service at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bonita for fallen officer Jonathan De Guzman. 

Many who attended Wednesday night's rosary did not know the 43-year-old officer, but felt it was their duty to honor the fallen. 

Mourners who attended the vigil said it was beautiful but a heartbreaking service for a father who left behind a wife and two children.  

A funeral mass will be held at the same church late Thursday morning, and all will be open to the public.
   
On Friday, a public memorial at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon is scheduled for the 16-year department veteran, who was shot along with a fellow officer in a gun battle that erupted during a field stop on Acacia Grove Way late last Thursday night. A procession to Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita will follow the ceremony.
   
DeGuzman, 43, was shot five times at close range died at Scripps Mercy Hospital, according to police and prosecutors. He is survived by a wife and two children.

RELATED: Prosecutor: Man opened fire immediately on San Diego police
   
His partner, Officer Wade Irwin, 32, underwent surgery for a bullet wound at UCSD Medical Center and is expected to recover.
   
The ex-con who allegedly opened fire on them, 52-year-old Jesse Michael Gomez, was critically wounded in the shootout and remains hospitalized.

RELATED: Remembering fallen San Diego police officer as his partner recovers
   
He pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was ordered to remain in custody in lieu of $5 million bail. A special circumstance allegation of murder of a police officer makes Gomez eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted.
   
The San Diego Police Officers Association is collecting money for DeGuzman's family. Donations can be mailed to the San Diego Police Officers Association, 8388 Vickers St., San Diego, CA 92111, or made online at sdpoa.org/about-widows-orphans-fund/.
   
SDPOA officials asked donors to include "Officer Jonathan DeGuzman'' in the notes of the online donation or on the memo lines of their checks.
   
Contributions to aid in Irwin's recovery expenses can be made at gofundme.com/irwinfamilyfund.

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