Police Rally For Redwood City Officer Who Died While On Duty

REDWOOD CITY, CA – Police are collecting donations for the family of an officer who died of natural causes while on duty Friday in Redwood City.

According to police, Gerardo Silva, 57, was working on patrol Friday when he received a call for service at the police station. When he did not return after handling the call, police personnel began searching the building.

Silva was found inside the police facility, unconscious and not breathing, police said. Officers performed CPR before paramedics arrived to take him to a hospital where he died of natural causes, police said.

"Unfortunately, his wife, also a Redwood City Police Department employee, was present at the police facility when this tragic event occurred," police said. "The Redwood City Police Department is mourning the loss."

Silva was an 18-year veteran with the Redwood City Police Department. He leaves behind a wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren, the department said.

The San Jose Police Officers' Association Charitable Foundation, on behalf of the Redwood City Police Officers' Association, has set up a fundraising account to help Silva's family with the costs associated with his
death. All donations are tax deductible and all proceeds will go to assist Silva's wife, according to police.
Donations can be given by mail or online at.

More information is available at http://www.sjpoa.com/Donations/Default.asp.

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--Bay City News/Image courtesy of RCPD