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Incident
Police Officer Lauren Craven was struck and killed while helping at the scene of a vehicle collision on Interstate 8 near Waring Road.
Around 10:20 p.m., a car traveling eastbound on I-8 struck another vehicle, flipped, and was then hit by another oncoming car. Officer Craven stopped at the scene to render aid to a 19-year-old man when she and the man were struck by another vehicle.
Despite performing life-saving measures, Officer Craven died at the scene. The driver involved in the initial crash was also killed.
The man who hit Officer Craven was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Officer Craven had served with the La Mesa Police Department for almost two years.
Survivors
She is survived by her mother, father, sister, and partner.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Craven gave the La Mesa Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the La Mesa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Craven.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lauren is the only officer of La Mesa Police Department remembered here.
Lauren is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Lauren is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lauren is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2025, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2025, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2025, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lauren was 25. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Lauren had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lauren was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lauren had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lauren was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lauren had served 1.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at La Mesa Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from La Mesa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.