SAN DIEGO (CNS) - San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar, who was killed in the line of duty last month, was honored Saturday in a memorial service in El Cajon. He was 30.
The service took place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 2100 Greenfield Drive at Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Proceedings began with a prelude by pianist Michael Sanchez, and a welcome and opening prayer by San Diego Police Department Chaplain Chuck Price.
Special tributes were paid by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, SDPD Chief of Police Scott Wahl, Sgt. Andrew Schidecker, Sen. Steve Padilla, cousins Julian Chanfreau and McKenzie Holt, and sister Asia Machitar.
"You were meant to make a difference and you did just that. It's amazing seeing how much of a positive impact you left on everyone, you're so missed. Thank you for always checking in, thank you for the encouragement, thank you for the laughs, thank you for the friendship, and thank you for the memories. We have the watch from here Austin, rest easy, you're so loved," San Diego Sheriff's Office Deputy Crystal Corona said.
The service concluded after nearly three hours with a flag folding and presentation by the SDPD Honor Guard, and a 21-gun salute.
On Aug. 26 at 11:30 p.m., Officer Machitar was killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Doliva Drive and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.
An officer was pursuing a speeding vehicle that failed to yield for a traffic stop. When the pursuit reached a high-rate of speed, it was called off. Officer Machitar and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez, 27, were responding to the area of the fleeing suspect when the fleeing car broadsided Officer Machitar's patrol vehicle at 90 mph, causing the police cruiser to be engulfed in flames.
Officer Machitar was pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Martinez was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition, but survived the crash and was present and also honored at Machitar's service. Officer Martinez was released from hospital care on Sept. 3.
The driver of the pursuit vehicle died in the crash.
"We all miss you tremendously, Austin. It is so tragic, anger- inducing, and cosmically unfair what happened to you and Zach. I remember when you first started at Northern Division years ago. You were so eager to get involved and learn and you were always helpful and positive. Truly in it for all the right reasons. The radio calls and arrests come and go in the tides of our memories, but it's the little things that we'll remember forever. The department, the city, and our community has lost someone truly irreplaceable," SDPD Officer Nick Marino said.
Officer Machitar had served with the San Diego Police Department for over five years. He is survived by his parents and sister.
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