“The world is a better place because of Luca, and he will forever be our hero.”

On May 20, friends, family, community members, and fellow law enforcement officers gathered to honor fallen San Luis Obispo Police Department, Detective Luca Benedetti. Almost 2,000 people gathered at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo for the memorial service. 

Det. Benedetti (37) was killed in the line of duty on May 10 while serving a search warrant. Rick Comstock, Atascadero Police Department (APD) chaplain, opened the service with a prayer. Newly appointed SLOPD Police Chief Rick Scott said, “Luca was an example of the best we have to offer. He was courageous. He was compassionate. He was friendly, honorable, and he was kind.”