A Cal Poly Pomona public safety officer who was killed on Friday was also a Claremont park ranger.

Mark Manlapaz, 37 from Victorville, served as Claremont’s senior park ranger, and had been a ranger for three years, according to Claremont Police Chief Shelly Vander Veen.

Mr. Manlapaz was killed on the afternoon of June 29 when an unknown assailant stabbed him to death in his truck at Cal Poly, according to news reports. The assailant, who has not yet been identified, was later killed in an officer-involved shooting later that day. An investigation is currently ongoing.

Claremont Human Services Director Anne Turner described Mr. Manlapaz as a “lovely person” whose dedication and excellence shone through everything he did. In his capacity as senior park ranger, Mr. Manlapaz worked to implement the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan and oversaw the ranger program.

“He is incredibly loved and respected by his colleagues, and was an exceptional leader who really built relationships both with his colleagues and his community,” Ms. Turner said.

Mr. Manlapaz was a diligent and hard worker, and saw parallels with his job as a park ranger and his job at Cal Poly, where he had been working as a public safety specialist for 17 years.

“It was our great fortune to have him work with us,” Ms. Turner said.

A community vigil in memory of Mr. Manlapaz will take place on Thursday, July 5 at 5 p.m. at Lewis Park, which is next to the Alexander Hughes Center at 1700 Danbury Road.

For more information contact (909) 399-5490

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com