Some at USC want the public to know that Keith Lawrence, whose shooting death has been attributed to an ex-cop, was more than just a loving partner to his fiancee -- he was a young law enforcement officer with a bright future.

"In many articles, he's just referred to as just the fiance. We'd like to see him get some more recognition than that," said Capt. David Carlisle of the University of Southern California's Department of Public Safety.

Lawrence, 27, and his girlfriend, Monica Quan, had recently become engaged. They were found shot to death on Feb. 3 in their car in the parking structure of their condominium complex in Irvine.

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Authorities suspect they were targeted by Christopher Jordan Dorner, a 33-year-old former Los Angeles Police Department officer who was fired in 2009 and who authorities say went on a recent violent rampage, killing the couple and a Riverside police officer. He has eluded capture.

Much of the media attention focused on Quan, especially because her father, Randal Quan, represented Dorner at his termination hearing. Authorities believe Dorner likely targeted Monica Quan in an act of revenge.

Quan and Lawrence shared a love of basketball -- she was an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton -- and USC's public safety Chief John Thomas said Lawrence would jump at the opportunity to talk about her.

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"The other officers said if he had an opportunity to talk about Monica, he talked about Monica," Thomas said. "If Keith was working with you, you were going to hear about Monica."