A police officer fell to his death from a horse on his last workday before retirement.
Paulino Cristovam da Silva tumbled from his steed while preparing to participate in a parade.
It was the 52-year-old sub lieutenant’s final work activity on Saturday (7 Sept) before his retirement.
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The police will investigate whether he suffered a sudden illness and fell from the horse or if the horse threw him off, causing fatal head trauma.
Witnesses told how the horse bolted, causing Da Silva to fall, hit his head on the ground, and lose consciousness, suggesting the former.
However, Col Valmor Racorti of the Shock Battalion says he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest followed by cranial trauma, suggesting the latter.
Da Silva’s colleagues attempted to revive him, but their efforts were in vain.
An ambulance took him from the scene to a local hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. However, medics could only confirm his death.
Da Silva served in the Military Police cavalry. He had served in the force for 32 years.
An unnamed colleague told local media he was “experienced and skilled, loved his work, and made a point of participating in the 7th September parade every year”.
The date is Brazil’s Independence Day.
Da Silva was unmarried, had no children, and was excited about his upcoming retirement.
A clip from Friday (6 Sep) shows how he told a colleague: “That’s right. Tomorrow. It’s confirmed.
“Confirmed in the Official Journal. Sublieutenant Cristovam, done. Starting Monday. Goodbye, and good luck to those who remain.”
He was laid to rest in São Paulo on Sunday (8 Sep) morning, as reported by Need To Know.
His funeral was attended by São Paulo state governor Tarcísio de Freitas and fellow police officers, who sent him off with a gun salute.
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