ANAHEIM, Calif.—A memorial service was held on Mar. 8 for the Huntington Beach police officer killed in a helicopter crash while on duty last month. Nicholas Vella, a 14-year-veteran of the Huntington Beach Police Department, died from injuries he suffered when a helicopter that he and another officer were piloting crashed into Newport Bay on Feb. 19. The other officer was injured but survived the crash. Thousands of police officers, family, friends attended the memorial at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, held just three days before Vella’s 45th birthday. Speakers overwhelmingly described Vella as a once-in-a-lifetime type of friend, who would consistently put others’ interests above his own, and who made a difference in people’s lives, speaking about his character and the compassion he had. “For those who know Nick, you know that all memories start with that smile that lit up Nick’s whole face,” his brother, John, said. “That …