A 33-year-old Staten Island detective collapsed and died during a drug bust after an apparent heart attack.
Salvatore Cafiso, an undercover cop with the Staten Island Narcotics Unit, was participating in a buy-and-bust in the Meiers Corners section around 5 p.m. Thursday when he suddenly became ill, then fell to the ground.
His partner, Detective Greg Marotta, performed CPR, and other members of his unit did chest compressions on Cafiso.
Their attempts to revive Cafiso were unsuccessful and he died an hour later at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.
Police sources said Cafiso may have died from an aneurysm.
Cafiso, an eight-year veteran, enjoyed fixing up cars in his spare time, said his former partner, Detective David Iscovici.
Cafiso, who lived in the Annadale section with wife Kathleen, poured all his love and attention toward his newborn baby Melissa.
“He was extremely excited. He loved his family,” said Iscovici.
The official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, but it appears to be a massive heart attack caused by a 75-percent artery blockage, Cafiso’s supervisor, Sgt. Mike Spinosa, told The Post.
“He was the best,” Spinosa said. “He risked his life every day, fearlessly. The whole team loved him.
“The police department and the city took a great loss yesterday,” he added.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday at noon at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Huguenot.