Keith Lawrence Remembered As Easy-Going By Mentors And Colleagues
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UPDATE: Click here for full coverage of the ongoing search for Christopher Dorner.
On March 19, 2007, Keith Lawrence made a clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer, throwing Concordia University’s semifinal basketball game against Robert Morris University into an unprecedented fourth overtime.
Keith Lawrence and his fiancee Monica Quan were found dead on Monday. (Photo from Facebook/RIP Keith Lawrence. You will be missed)
At 9 p.m. on Sunday, a passerby found Lawrence and his fiancée, Cal State-Fullerton assistant girl's basketball coach Monica Quan, slumped dead in his car in Irvine, a town the FBI has dubbed the safest city in the U.S. for eight years straight. They were parked on the top floor of their condominium complex’s parking structure -- a building fitted with security cameras and a key-code for entry.
Police haven’t released any information on suspects or motive.
READ MORE: Cal State Fullerton Coach And Fiance, A USC Security Officer, Shot To Death
Chris Victor, who was one of Lawrence’s coaches at Concordia University, said Lawrence could have played next-level basketball, but a serious ankle injury caused him to consider other options. When he recovered, he decided to move on to something else.
“He came back one summer and said he was going to get into law enforcement, to go to the academy,” Victor said. “I thought it was great for Keith. He was such an even-keeled, steady person -- the perfect type for a law enforcement job.”
READ MORE: Dorner Manhunt: Search For Ex-Cop Fugitive Enters Third Day As Trail Grows Cold
Lawrence went to Ventura County Sheriff’s Academy and completed a series of physical tests – including dragging 165 lbs. of dead weight for 32 feet and scaling walls and fences -- that potential officers must pass to complete their training. He then found his way to USC as an armed officer with the Department of Public Safety.
“He was just getting started in his career,” said DPS Capt. David Carlisle. Carlisle said that Lawrence had begun in August and was assigned to a watch after completing the field training program in four months.
“I would describe him as a very respectful, easy-going man -- well-liked,” said Carlisle. “It’s a tragedy that we lost him."
“We have every confidence in the Irvine Police Department that they’ll get to the bottom of this matter and solve this tragic crime,” Carlisle added.
READ MORE: A Timeline Of Dorner's Alleged Crimes
When asked if Lawrence could’ve been involved in any kind of trouble beyond his law enforcement job, Victor said, “It’s impossible for me to think of a scenario where this is something that he’s involved in or caused. He didn’t like confrontation or arguments. He was always in a good mood. It’s tough to understand why [he and Quan were killed].”
Victor saw Lawrence a couple times this past summer and said Lawrence seemed to be “the same old Keith.”
UPDATE: DPS Chief John Thomas issued a statement to Lawrence's fellow officers:
It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I announce the untimely death of a member of the DPS Family, PSO I Keith Lawrence. Officer Lawrence and his fiancée were discovered deceased earlier this morning; victims of a senseless act of violence in the City of Irvine.
During his brief tenure of service here at USC, Officer Lawrence proved to be an honorable, compassionate and professional member of our department and the Trojan Family. We are a better department and the USC Campus Community is a safer place as a result of his service.
Please continue to espouse those same values of honor, commitment to duty, professionalism and compassion as we continue to add to his legacy and those that we all share as members of the law enforcement/public safety community.
I would also ask that you remember Keith and his fiancée's families in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve and begin the healing process and move forward from this tragic loss of their loved ones.
John Thomas
Executive Director/Chief
Department of Public Safety
VIDEO: Keith Lawrence forces a semifinal game against Robert Morris University into fourth overtime.
