San Diego officials have identified the police officer who was killed in a fiery crash during a chase Monday, describing him as a hero and valuable member of the department.
Officer Austin Machitar died while he was responding to a high-speed vehicle pursuit, and the fleeing suspect crashed into his cruiser, KFMB-TV reports. Another officer—identified as Zachary Martinez—was also in the cruiser, and he was critically injured.
Machitar, 30, had grown up in San Diego and had been with the department for nearly six years. He is survived by his sister and parents, and Chief Scott Wahl said the agency is focused on helping his family through the grieving process in the days ahead.
"I can’t imagine what his parents are going through right now,” Wahl said at a Tuesday press conference.
"He’s the kind of guy you wanted on your team,” he added.
A Navy reservist from Texas, Martinez, 27, had been with the department for nearly two years. Machitar had helped train Martinez in 2023, and the two would sometimes work as partners.
“He was born and raised to serve,” said Wahl.
Martinez remains in critical condition with multiple serious injuries. Wahl said he's optimistic that the officer will recover.
A fundraising campaign has been set up by the San Diego Police Officers Association to help the officers' families.
"Austin and Zach are heroes," said Jared Wilson, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association. "Their sacrifice will not go unheard and unnoticed by this community, because it loves their police officers. And we need your help."
