Louis David Sylvestri

Retired Sergeant Louis Sylvestri passed on April 16, 2018 at home peacefully in his sleep.

Louis is survived by his devoted and lovely wife, Marianita Arzadon Sylvestri.  Born to Louis and Angelina Sylvestri, he leaves behind one sister, and is preceded in death by 2 brothers and 1 sister. 

Lou enjoyed retiring, gardening and his cars - Cadillacs and Corvettes. Nita enjoyed cooking Lou’s favorite meals and getting together small dinner parties at home.

Honorably discharged flying in the United States Air Force, Louis entered the San Francisco Police Department where he pioneered the first "Aero Division" -- he called it the "Whirly Birds". The SFPD "Aero" Squadron was at its peak in the mid-1970s, with the number of helicopter and small plane flights rivaling the frequency of the Los Angeles Police Department. After several accidents, and some complaints, the unit was disbanded. The helicopter unit was featured prominently in the first "Dirty Harry" film, identifying a sniper on a rooftop before a murder was committed. The unit was reactivated in the late 1990s, and then the Aero unit was put into an "inactive" status indefinitely. Today, in times where it needs air support, the SFPD contacts the California Highway Patrol, which has a Napa air base.

A Celebration of Life will be offered on Friday, April 27, at a Memorial Mass, 11 a.m. at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church in Sonoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SF Police Widows and Orphans Aid Assoc, PO Box 4247, San Rafael, 94913-4267, www.sfwidowsandorphans.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louis David Sylvestri, please visit our floral store.