A veteran Chehalis, Wash. police officer died Friday of complications from surgery related to an injury he sustained in the line of duty in February.
Officer Rick Silva was responding to a theft in progress at a retail store when the suspect resisted arrest, causing more damage to a previous hip injury he had acquired while on duty, according to The Chronicle.
Members of local law enforcement agency esescorted him with a motorcade to a funeral home following his death on Friday.
"Officer Silva was beloved not just by his family, fellow officers and co-workers, but also by the many people in our community whose lives he touched," a statement from the department reads. "Officer Silva's passing leaves us all without his infectious smile, his playful sense of humor, his passion for justice, and his generosity, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Our lives have been enriched just through the joy of knowing him."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
