SDPD Officer Who Died While On Duty Laid to Rest

The San Diego Police Department will honor one of their own during a procession Thursday before fallen officer Dave Sisto is laid to rest in Sorrento Valley.

Sisto, 39, went into medical distress while responding to a call in the Carmel Mountain neighborhood of San Diego on Feb. 2, 2021. He had been with the department for more than a decade, SDPD said.

On Thursday, members of the San Diego Police Department were expected to line freeway overpasses as a small motorcade leads Sisto's hearse to El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley.

Preceding the motorcade, Sisto's family, close friends and a few members of SDPD were expected to pay their respects to Sisto during a funeral service at Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon. The ceremony was not open to the public.

A procession led by SDPD motorcycle officers was expected to proceed along northbound State Route 67 to westbound SR-52 to northbound Interstate 805, eventually ending at the Memorial Park.

Sisto was to be buried surrounded by members of his family and close friends. Some members of the U.S. Marine Corps will also be at the ceremony, to honor the fallen officer's time with the Marines.

Sisto died during a call for a welfare check in the Carmel Mountain neighborhood. A witness called police to report a man who appeared to be under the influence, according to SDPD.

He and his trainee responded but when they arrived, the man was already detained.

Minutes later, Sisto "began experiencing shortness of breath and a second ambulance arrived to take Officer Sisto to the hospital, where he passed away," SDPD Chief David Nisleit said.

SDPD said the detainee and Sisto never made contact.

"I want to extend my sincere condolences to Officer Sisto’s loved ones," Nisleit said. "I also ask for the San Diego community to keep their thoughts and prayers with the Sisto family during this difficult time."

Sisto leaves behind his wife and two young children.

SDPD's Homicide Unit is investigating the officer's death, as they do with all on-duty deaths, according to the department.