California cop slain five days after her last photo was taken.

In an effort to show his wife the police officer who found his wife’s stolen phone, Marshall Crawford took a picture of himself and 25-year-old Escondido police officer Laura Perez. The photo was taken just five days before Perez’ body was found in a Moreno storage locker. Crawford who was touched by Perez and her efforts to help him retrieve his wife’s phone said this to NBC 7:

“She was a gentle person who was in a rough and tumble business and she handled herself with grace and finesse,” Crawford said.

Perez’ husband, Freddy Perez-Rodas pleaded not guilty in Murrieta court on Friday. He’s accused of shooting his wife to death, hiding her body  in a storage locker then setting their home on fire trying to cover up the crime scene. No victims were found in the home when firefighters put out the flames on Wednesday. It didn’t take long for investigators to determine the fire was arson and take Rodas into custody. During questioning Rodas had told police that his wife had been shot in the chest three times. Soon after investigators discovered Perez’ body in an All-Size Storage in Moreno Valley early Thursday morning.

During Rodas’ arraignment investigators revealed that $85,000 in cash was also found in the same locker his wife’s body was in. NBC reported that Rodas now faces murder charges, as well as charges of arson and personal use of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 15 and faces 50 to 100 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Perez leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter who is in custody of extended family members and will benefit from a fund started by the Escondido Police Officer’s Association.

“It’s just so painful to see someone that young, that vibrant not be with us and I ache for her daughter and family,”Crawford said.