Public Memorial Service Announced for Redwood City Police Officer Gerardo Silva

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Redwood City police announced Tuesday a public memorial for an officer who recently died of natural causes while on duty.

"The community is invited to attend the event to honor Officer Silva," police said in a news release. "There will be a private reception following the memorial."

The event in memory of Officer Gerardo Silva will be held Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, located at 2215 Broadway.

Also Tuesday, Gov. Jerry Brown's office announced flags at the California State Capitol building in Sacramento will be flow at half-staff in honor of Silva.

"Anne and I are saddened to learn of the sudden, tragic passing of Officer Silva. We join all Californians in honoring Officer Silva's service to the people of Redwood City and the State of California," Brown said in a
statement.

Silva, 57, was found inside the police station Friday, unconscious and not breathing. Officers tried to perform CPR before paramedics arrived to take him to a hospital, where he died, police said.

Silva was an 18-year veteran with the Redwood City Police Department and is survived by his wife and two daughters, police said.

For those who'd like to donate to the family of Officer Silva, the following options are available:

• 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 costs associated with his death. Donations can be sent online at http://www.sjpoa.com/Donations/Default.asp.
• Donations can also be sent by mail to SJPOACF at 1151 N. Fourth St., San Jose, CA 95112, with checks made out to SJPOACF and "Redwood City Police" written in the memo line.
• All donations are tax deductible and all proceeds will go to assist Silva's wife, according to police.

— Image credit: Redwood City Police Department / Bay City News Service contributed to this report