Latest news with #SherifffortheDay
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fallen SDPD officer remembered for his courage and sacrifice
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Emotional moments outside San Diego Police Department headquarters Wednesday afternoon as Officer Austin Machitar was honored for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Machitar, 30, was killed during a police pursuit in Clairemont on Aug. 26 of last year. His name was formally added to the department's Officer Memorial Wall during a solemn ceremony attended by city leaders, fellow officers, friends and family. 'Service, sacrifice and selflessness — those are the three words that best describe Austin,' said Police Chief Scott Wahl. 'He was charismatic, he was a a good leader and just a good character person. When you see somebody have to give the ultimate sacrifice in doing this job, it rips your heart apart.' 4S Ranch fifth grader wins 'Sheriff for the Day' contest Machitar had served with the department for five years. He and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez, were assisting in a pursuit involving a BMW driven by a 16-year-old boy. The vehicle crashed into the officers' SUV, killing both Machitar and the teen. Officer Martinez survived the fiery collision but sustained critical injuries, including severe burns. He has since made a full recovery. Mayor Todd Gloria praised Machitar's bravery and emphasized the importance of remembering fallen officers. 'What all of our officers do is heroic work,' Gloria said. 'And when they die in the line of duty, as Austin did, we have to memorialize them.' The ceremony included heartfelt speeches from family and colleagues, many of whom reflected on Machitar's positive spirit and love for his job. 'He loved what he did,' said family friend Jeana Crossland. 'He loved protecting people and supporting people.' Murdered surfers to be honored with statue in Baja Sgt. Jessica Thrift, fighting back tears, addressed Machitar directly. 'Every officer at Northern Division, your mom, your dad, your sister and all of your friends — we miss you,' Thrift said. 'I would say, 'You did good, kid. And we miss you.'' The city of San Diego recently announced plans to rename North Clairemont Park in Machitar's honor, ensuring his legacy continues in the community he served. His name now joins those of other officers who gave their lives to protect and serve 'America's Finest City.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
4S Ranch fifth grader wins ‘Sheriff for the Day' contest
4S RANCH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A fifth grader at Stone Ranch Elementary School in 4S Ranch got a sweet surprise from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office Thursday. Sheriff Kelly Martinez and members of her command staff visited Ashwin Sundaresan during class to announce him as the 'Sheriff for the Day' contest winner. Savannah Bananas bringing different style of baseball to Petco Park Here is the winning essay that Sundaresan submitted for the contest: 'Hi, my name is Ashwin and I'm in the 5th grade. When I grow up, I want to be a Sheriff in San Diego County. Some people want to be astronauts or doctors, but I want to help people right here in my own beautiful county. I want to be a Sheriff because I think it's really important to keep people safe. When someone is scared or in trouble, the Sheriff is the one they can count on. I want to be the kind of person who listens and shows up when people need help. Also, I like being a leader and working with others, and Sheriffs do a lot of that every day. If I were the Sheriff, I would do more than just prevent crime or punish criminals. I would visit schools to talk to kids about safety and being kind to each other. I'd make sure there were more neighborhood events, so people could get to know one another better. I think when people feel like they're part of a community, they're nicer to each other. I'd also help people who don't have homes or need food by working with shelters and food banks. Being a Sheriff means caring about everyone, not just the people who follow the rules. Everyone deserves help sometimes. I know it's a big job, but I'm not afraid of working hard. I want to be a Sheriff so I can make a real difference and show that even one person can help a whole town feel safe and happy.' Sundaresan, who was sworn in as Sheriff for the Day, also received a special tour of the Sheriff's Office. 'The reason I applied for this is because I'm a part of our school student safety patrol, so I keep fellow students at my school safe. And I wanted to learn more about how a sheriff keeps the local community safe,' Sundaresan said in front of the sheriff's staff. The sheriff's department wanted to thank all the fifth graders who participated in the Sheriff for the Day essay contest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
