David Sanov, often called Dave, is a retired California Highway Patrol officer and the husband of actress Alison Sweeney. He spent 27 years with the CHP before retiring in 2022, while Sweeney built a television career that includes Days of Our Lives and Hallmark movies. Their relationship began with a childhood friendship and led to marriage in 2000. They have two children, Benjamin and Megan. Beyond his police career, Sanov is also a pilot who has participated in charitable flights, helping transport both a patient seeking medical treatment and a rescue dog awaiting adoption. tvinsider.com
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | David Sanov |
| Also known as | Dave Sanov |
| Profession | Retired California Highway Patrol officer |
| CHP service | 27 years |
| Retirement | 2022 |
| Spouse | Alison Sweeney |
| Wedding date | July 8, 2000 |
| Children | Benjamin Edward and Megan Hope |
| Other activity | Volunteer aviation |
The career and family details above are documented in TV Insider, Soap Opera Digest, and PEOPLE’s coverage of the couple.
How David Sanov and Alison Sweeney Met
Sanov and Sweeney knew each other long before they became a couple. His father and her mother worked as violinists on feature-film soundtracks, bringing their families together. Sweeney later recalled having a childhood crush on him.
Their lives eventually took different directions. Sweeney joined Days of Our Lives, while Sanov attended college, and they went about four years without seeing each other. They reconnected at a party, where Sweeney invited him to her 21st birthday celebration. Getting to know each other as adults turned their earlier friendship into a romance.
A Wedding With a Family Connection
The couple married on July 8, 2000. Music gave their ceremony a personal connection to the beginning of their relationship: Sweeney’s mother and Sanov’s father performed together at the wedding. When Sweeney revisited the occasion during a 2020 Entertainment Tonight appearance, she remembered the violin performance as an especially meaningful part of the day.
Sweeney has described their marriage in practical terms. In a 2022 interview, she explained that they entered it honestly, discussing what they wanted from life and respecting their differences as they matured together. In July 2025, she celebrated their 25th anniversary with a dinner and a social media tribute reflecting on their shared memories.
His California Highway Patrol Career
Sanov’s professional life centered on law enforcement. He served with the California Highway Patrol for 27 years and retired in 2022. Sweeney discussed preparations for his retirement celebration on The Kelly Clarkson Show that November, describing plans to bring people together and arrange surprises for him.
His connection to the CHP community continued after retirement. The CHP 11-99 Foundation’s 2023–24 annual report identifies Sanov and Sweeney as guests at its annual golf tournament and evening fundraiser. The couple contributed auction experiences that included lunch with Sweeney and a weekend at their Mammoth home.
The foundation provides emergency assistance to CHP employees and scholarships to their children. Supporting its fundraising connects Sanov’s former profession with a continuing effort to help officers and their families.
Volunteer Flying: Medical Travel and Animal Rescue
Sanov’s aviation activities provide another substantial part of his biography. He has used his flying skills in volunteer work involving people who need transportation and animals moving toward adoption.
Flying With Angel Flight West
In 2018, Sanov completed his first mission with Angel Flight West, transporting a cancer patient to a California hospital for treatment. PEOPLE documented the flight in its profile of him.
Angel Flight West arranges free, non-emergency air transportation for people whose medical or other compelling needs require travel. Volunteer pilots donate their time and cover flight expenses. The organization helps address a practical obstacle to care: reaching a hospital can be difficult when distance, finances, or health conditions make ordinary transportation unsuitable.
Bringing Horton to an Adoptive Family
Pilots N Paws also documented a rescue trip involving Sanov and Sweeney. The couple traveled from Los Angeles to Chicago and brought back Horton, a Mexican hairless dog, to an adoptive family waiting in Los Angeles.
The account offers a specific example of their involvement in animal rescue. Their contribution was transporting a dog between cities so he could reach his new home.
His Brief Appearance on Days of Our Lives
Sanov once stepped into Sweeney’s working world with an appearance on Days of Our Lives. A February 2005 Soap Opera Digest interview described his experience filming scenes with Bryan R. Dattilo.
Sanov explained that acting had never been an ambition and that school plays had made him nervous. Knowing Dattilo personally helped him feel more comfortable during rehearsals. Dattilo praised his performance and recalled Sanov checking the monitor to understand his camera positioning.
The interview presents the appearance as an unusual opportunity for someone whose career was in policing. It also captures the adjustment from his usual work to the waiting, rehearsals, and technical demands of a television set.
Family Life With Benjamin and Megan
Sanov and Sweeney welcomed Benjamin Edward on February 25, 2005. Their daughter, Megan Hope, was born on January 12, 2009.
In a 2006 interview, Sweeney described how becoming parents changed their schedules and priorities. She and Sanov exchanged stories about their separate time with Ben and made room for activities together, including television nights, basketball games, concerts, and theater.
“Dave and I both came from families with very social parents,” Sweeney told Soap Opera Digest, explaining their shared enjoyment of hosting friends. Soap Opera Digest
By 2024, the family was preparing for another transition: Ben’s departure for Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he planned to study mechanical engineering. Sweeney told PEOPLE that his move would change everyday routines, including family dinners and taking Megan to school. Her account offers a familiar picture of parents adjusting as their children become more independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Sanov?
David Sanov is Alison Sweeney’s husband and a retired California Highway Patrol officer. He is also known as Dave Sanov.
When did David Sanov retire?
He retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2022 after 27 years of service.
How many children does David Sanov have?
He and Sweeney have two children: Benjamin Edward and Megan Hope.
Is David Sanov an actor?
His profession was law enforcement. He made a brief appearance on Days of Our Lives, but told Soap Opera Digest that he had never wanted an acting career.
Conclusion
David Sanov’s biography brings together a lengthy police career, a marriage rooted in childhood friendship, parenthood, and volunteer flying. His work with charitable organizations adds substance to a story often introduced through his relationship with Alison Sweeney.
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