SDPD's Austin Machitar, 30, Mourned by Hundreds for His 'Everlasting Impact' (2025)

Kind, caring, loving, generous, humble and charismatic were just some of the ways mourners described fallen San Diego police Officer Austin Machitar.

An exemplary officer, brave hero — and prankster — were other ways used to define Machitar, 30, who died when his patrol car was hit after an August 26 pursuit.

“It is hard to find a silver lining in a moment like this,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said Saturday morning in El Cajon at Shadow Mountain Community Church, which live-streamed the event. Hundreds of police from agencies around the region attended — as far as Arizona and Ventura County .

“But the way that it … brought us all together, with so many different people from so many different walks of life — it truly is a beautiful thing.”

A riderless horse, carrying empty boots facing backward, was led past the church. The San Diego Emerald Society Pipes & Drums played “Amazing Grace” and police added a 21-gun salute. Three police helicopters did a flyover to honor the 5-year veteran.

Wahl channeled the sadness shown on hundreds of faces.

“I’m so full of emotion. I’m angry,” said Wahl, who assumed his new duties June 7. ”I’m angry that we are here. I’m angry that we’re going through this. And I’m angry that Austin is gone.”

Addressing the officer’s parents, he added: “But I do know this with absolute certainty. In his 30 years of life, your son had an everlasting impact on me and countless others.”

Zachary Martinez, Machitar’s police partner, attended the memorial service despite suffering burns and severe injuries in the crash.

Machitar trained Martinez.

Police Chaplain Chuck Price told a crowd of mourners: “It’s a day that feels like a gut punch that doesn’t end. It’s a day that feels surreal and it’s a day of overwhelming emotions.”

“It is also a day where we will honor and celebrate the all-too-short life of a young man who did heroic things by simply following the calling in his life to become a peace officer.”

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said: “He was widely known for having an extremely positive attitude and his smile was as bright as San Diego’s sunniest day.”

The mayor continued that San Diego could never repay the debt owed to Machitar and his family.

“While his watch has ended, his light will never fade,” he said.

Machitar’s unrelenting smile was often mentioned during and people said that smile was never brighter than when he spoke about his family.

Machitar’s father, Chris, is a retired sergeant from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

The late officer was honored for his dedicated service, but was also remembered for his sense of humor and tricks played on other officers.

Police Sgt. Andrew Schidecker recalled how one day his desk and all its contents were turned upside down. He quickly figured his “No. 1 suspect” was Machitar.

“He made us all laugh when we needed it,” the sergeant said. ”He took care of us and made us better people. For the time we got to spend with him, we deeply miss him, and we will never forget him.”

Asia Machitar told why her brother wanted to join the police force.

Quoting from papers used when Machitar applied to work for the department, his sister said he wanted to help children and adults who were less fortunate than he was.

He wanted to make the world a better place, she said.

“He was the most thoughtful, kind, caring, loving and most generous person,” she said. “I knew he was truly a special person inside and out.”

Proceedings began with a prelude by pianist Michael Sanchez, who also sang “Amazing Grace.” Special tributes also were paid by state Sen. Steve Padilla, and cousins Julian Chanfreau and McKenzie Holt.

Said San Diego Sheriff’s Office Deputy Crystal Corona:

“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,”

The service concluded after nearly three hours with a flag folding and presentation by the SDPD Honor Guard.

On Aug. 26 at 11:30 p.m., 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.

Machitar and his 27-year-old partner Martinez were responding to the area of the fleeing suspect when the car broadsided Machitar’s patrol vehicle at 90 mph, causing the police cruiser to be engulfed in flames.

Machitar was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition but survived the crash — released from hospital care on Sept. 3.

The driver of the pursuit vehicle died in the crash.

“We all miss you tremendously, Austin,” said SDPD Officer Nick Marino. “It is so tragic, anger-inducing, and cosmically unfair what happened to you and Zach.”

Marino recalled when Machitar 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.”

City News Service contributed to this report.

Updated at 6 p.m. Sept. 21, 2024