An Oakland police officer brought home a gold medal after competing in the 2023 United States Police and Fire Olympic Championships in San Diego last month.
Officer David Garcia won a gold medal in the men’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.
More than 2,600 athletes participated in the Olympic-style national competition for first responders and public safety personnel, held in San Diego from June 10 to 17.
Athletes competed in 39 sports, including baseball, water polo and CrossFit.
Garcia joined the Oakland police force in 2016, and is currently assigned to Area 4 Patrol. He studied the art of Jiu-Jitsu, as well as grappling and wrestling, in high chool and college. A two-time champion in the sport, Garcia won his first gold medal in 2022. Not only is he undefeated, no opponent has yet to score a point against him at this annual event.
The event is sponsored by the California Police Athletic Foundation.