End of Watch: July 13, 1949

Deputy Herbert Sibert was killed in the line of duty while investigating a robbery in the North County. 

The robbery happened on July 11, 1949 at the Beacon Inn in Cardiff. Four men with guns including a rifle robbed customers and the bartender at the establishment. Deputies responded and despite a thorough search, the robbers were not found. 

Deputy Sibert began following up on the robbery investigation the next day on July 12. He finished his investigation in the early hours of July 13. He was heading home along the coast near Torrey Pines State Beach when for unknown reasons, his car left the roadway and went over an embankment. 

A man camping on the beach quickly reported the incident. Deputies rushed to the scene, but it was too late. Deputies Newsome and Robbins were among those who hurried to the crash scene. They were Deputy Sibert's partners and had just met with him for coffee shortly before the incident to discuss the robbery case.  

It was previously believed that Deputy Sibert was off duty during the time of his death. In April 2024, the Sheriff's Office decided to take closer look. 

Deputy Sibert was using his personal car at the time of the crash which was not unusual in this time period. By today's standards, this investigative call out is classified as being "on duty."  There was a sense of urgency to find and arrest the robbery suspects to prevent further risk to the community. 

Based on this information, Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez reclassified Deputy Sibert's death as a Line of Duty Death. His name was added in our Memorial Wall during an End of Watch Ceremony on July 11, 2024. 

Prior to joining the San Diego Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sibert served in the U.S. Army assigned to Company E 505 as an infantry paratrooper from 1940-1945. He likely participated in the Battle of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge among other battles.  He was honorably discharged and awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was also a police officer at the Glendale Police Department from January 1, 1946, to February 9, 1948.