An emotional day as San Diego celebrated the life and sacrifices of Austin Machitar, the Filipino-American San Diego police department officer who died in the line of duty last month.

The 5-year veteran was laid to rest this weekend.

Machitar’s sister Asia spoke during the service at Shadow Mountain Community Church. The Filipino family has answered the call of duty for generations. 

Austin’s grandfather was a U.S. Navy sailor, while his father is a retired San Diego sheriff.

“Austin I will always cherish all the memories and times we had it’s been such a provenance to watch you grow into the man you had become and I’m so thankful that God chose me to be your big sister. You were taken away from us way to early and I would do anything to have you back. But I know we all now have a new guardian angel in the sky,” Asia said.

Current San Diego police chief Scott Wahl knew the Fil-Am officer well.

 “I want everyone here to know we lost. A good one…I had the privilege of working with Austin when I was the captain of northern division. I knew from the moment I met him, he was someone special,” Wahl shared.

San Diego’s Filipino American Mayor Todd Gloria also spoke during the memorial. He said he plans on finding a way to commemorate Officer Machitar’s service and acts of heroism.

“Austin lived by the code of service, courage, and sacrifice. For 5 and a half years he served our department, knowing the risk yet never hesitating to protect and serve. At just 30 years old, his service to our city was far shorter than any of us would’ve wanted.  It was enough time for Austin to make a lasting impact on his fellow officers,” Gloria said.

Machitar died on August 26th as he and partner Zachary Martinez were responding to a high speed chase in the Claremont Mesa area. The teenage suspect who instigated the chase also died in the crash. 

After weeks of recovery, Martinez was recently discharged from the hospital and also attended the memorial. 

Since the tragedy, the community has raised several fundraisers for the officers’ families.