Monday marks one year since Beaumont police officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell was killed in the line of duty.

Several hundred people gathered Sunday night at the Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont to honor her life with a balloon release.

Yarbrough-Powell’s loved ones spoke, remembering the 23-year-old officer as a bright shining light.

Officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell served with Beaumont PD for a year and a half. They say in that time, she made a major impression, gaining the respect of her brothers and sisters in blue.

Her duty was cut short on Aug. 9, 2020, when investigator said Luis Torres crashed into her cruiser while driving the wrong way on Cardinal Drive.

Torres is charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Written by Jillian Fertig