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Incident
Police Officer Gerardo Silva suffered a fatal heart attack after responding to a call involving a violent mentally ill subject.
The subject had assaulted another officer two weeks earlier and had to be apprehended by a canine. When Officer Silva arrived on scene the subject acted in an aggressive nature towards him. Officer Silva was able to de-escalate the situation.
During Officer Silva's following shift he suddenly collapsed inside of the police station. Other officers performed CPR until he was transported to a local hospital where he passed away.
Officer Silva had served with the Redwood City Police Department for 18 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Silva gave the Redwood City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Redwood City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Silva.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Redwood City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Gerardo is one of 52 officers lost to cardiac events in CA, 2.8% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gerardo is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gerardo is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 2 officers in CA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2017, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Gerardo was 57. Of the 51 lost to cardiac events in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 52.5; the middle age was 44. Gerardo had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Gerardo was 57. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Gerardo had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Gerardo was 57. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Gerardo had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 15.4% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Fridays: 19.2%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Redwood City Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.8% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Redwood City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Gerardo among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Redwood City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
