Newsom praises fallen San Francisco police officer

Bay City News Service

May 3, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Tuesday praised a San Francisco Police Department officer who died Monday night in the line of duty.

Sgt. Darryl Tsujimoto died as a result of a medical condition Monday after collapsing during a K-9 training exercise on Treasure Island.

Newsom commended the 15-year-veteran police officer's leadership of the department's Tactical Company K-9 Unit, which the San Francisco Police Department reported gained national recognition.

"The City and County of San Francisco has lost a great citizen and a great public servant," Newsom said.

Tsujimoto had been in charge of the department's Tactical Company K-9 Unit since April 1999.

During his 15 years in San Francisco, Tsujimoto was stationed at the department's Mission, Taraval and Park stations. He was also a member of the Tenderloin Task Force.

According to the department, Tsujimoto was promoted to sergeant in June 1996 and was made an inspector in June 2001.

Flags at city hall were flown at half-mast Tuesday in honor of Tsujimoto. Funeral services are pending, the department reported.

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