Ann Arbor, MI – Ann Arbor Police Department Lieutenant Lyle Sartori died of a heart attack at his home on Nov. 7, as he was preparing for his night shift.

“It was shocking – devastating – especially in light of his level of physical fitness and his devotion to physical activities,” Ann Arbor Interim Police Chief Robert Pfannes told MLive.

Lt. Sartori, 56, had served the department for 26 years.

He planned to retire in early 2019, and intended to set off to hike the Appalachian Trial, Chief Pfannes said.

The Ann Arbor Police Department lost a family member when Lt. Sartori passed away, the chief explained.

His fellow officers flocked to his home to support his family as news of his sudden death spread.

He was a mentor to many officers in the department, and was married to a fellow Ann Arbor police officer.

Lt. Sartori served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 until 1987, during which he achieved the rank of sergeant, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He held a master’s degree in public administration from Oakland University.

Chief Pfannes said Lt. Sartori was “larger than life,” and that he was always striving to find ways to make his department better, MLive reported.

“He was very proud of the organization and he always wanted it to be the best it could be,” the chief added.

In addition to his many roles in the department, Lt. Sartori was also a key organizer for the agency’s special services section, which handles large events in the community.

He was commander of the midnight patrol at the time of his death, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“Our sincerest condolences to the Sartori family,” the South University Area Association wrote in a Facebook post on Nov. 8. “His wife Jennifer, also an AAPD officer, was one of South U’s COP officers many years ago and our thoughts and prayers are with her and their boys tonight.”

The couple has three children, Chief Pfannes told MLive.

Lt. Sartori will be laid to rest on Nov. 30.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ann Arbor Police Department Lieutenant Lyle Sartori, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.