Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Austin Machitar was killed in a vehicle crash at 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Doliva Drive and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.
An officer was pursuing a speeding vehicle that failed to yield for a traffic stop. When the pursuit reached a high rate of speed, it was called off. Officer Machitar and his partner were responding to the area of the fleeing suspect when the fleeing car broadsided Officer Machitar's patrol vehicle at 90 mph, causing the police cruiser to be engulfed in flames. Officer Machitar was pronounced dead at the crash site. The other officer was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the pursuit vehicle died in the crash.
Officer Machitar had served with the San Diego Police Department for over five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-02E80C7F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Machitar gave the San Diego Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Machitar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Austin Machitar is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Austin Machitar's cause is highlighted.
How Austin Machitar Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in the crash
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Austin Machitar is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Austin Machitar was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
