This former star of Live PD has a new job title: dad

Chris Mastrianni bolted out of his patrol car — and into American homes and hearts — when he wrestled a father holding his toddler daughter after a car chase and crash that was featured on the police show, “Live PD.”

But the Richland County sheriff’s deputy, who was dubbed Fastrianni by the fans of the show, broke those same hearts in March when it was announced he was taking a promotion to the investigations division, ending his time on the show.

“I love it. It’s a change of pace,” Mastrianni said in December, nine months into his new job. “To me, it’s more hands on because when you’re an investigator, you take the reins of the case and it becomes your baby. You’re in charge of how successful it’s gonna be.”

Deputies typically work the front end of a case right after an incident, but Mastrianni explained that investigators dig in deeper and pull information from surveillance video, social media accounts and other types of evidence. Investigators look into everything from property crimes to violent crimes.

Mastrianni said not being on the show has given him his weekends back, which he enjoys spending with his family — which has grown. He and his wife welcomed a baby boy shortly after his promotion.

“He’s getting big quick,” Mastrianni said. “He’s alive and happy, so I’m guessing I’m doing all right for now.”

Mastrianni was a regular on the series since its October 2016 premiere.

He saw his popularity skyrocket after the 50th episode aired in July 2017. That episode followed the deputy’s high-speed chase and arrest of a suspect who used his 2-year-old daughter as a “shield” against Mastrianni following a chase that ended off North Main Street.

“That’s your baby! That’s your baby!” a frantic Mastrianni screamed at the man, who swung his daughter around like a rag doll as he fought with the officer.

Since leaving the show and trying to balance fatherhood with his new job, he hasn’t been able to watch it much, he said. But he’s still appreciative of all the support the show continues to get.

“It was definitely an experience I never experienced getting into law enforcement,” he said. “To have such a backing from across the nation is positive for all law enforcement. I was honored to be a part of that.”