SAN DIEGO—Authorities identified a swimmer who died early June 27 in Pacific Beach, San Diego, as Caeden Laffan, an off-duty firefighter-paramedic with the Oakland Fire Department.
Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said his department is mourning the tragic loss of the 25-year-old, who was a rising star in the department.
“Caeden Laffan was a young enthusiastic member of the Oakland Fire Department, with a bright future ahead of him, and we’re all heartbroken today after learning of this tragic event,” Mr. Covington said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who know him, worked with him, and loved him. The Laffan family and I sincerely appreciate the coordination and support of the San Diego Fire Department as our members continue to respond and grieve.”
The fire chief said the Laffan family is “deeply embedded in our fire department.” Mr Laffan joined the Oakland Fire Department in 2019. His father was Oakland’s assistant fire chief, who died of a heart attack while on duty in 2020 at age 42. His brother, Cooper Laffan, is a current recruit at the Oakland Fire Academy, and his mother is a peer support outreach specialist at the fire department.
Mr. Laffan was in San Diego for the firefighter’s summer Olympics, Mr. Covington said at a press conference on June 27.
Lt. Rick Romeo from San Diego Lifeguard Services told OnSceneTV that, according to information they collected at the scene, at around 2 a.m., Mr. Laffan “was with friends and family members, he walked out to the water—it was just chest-waist high—he just took a couple of strokes and then went missing.”
Mr. Romeo said after about a two-hour search, Mr. Laffan’s body was located ashore at the water’s edge north of Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Romero said the victim “most likely” got caught in a rip current, which led to his death.
Later that morning, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s (SDFD) fire engines and police cruisers escorted Mr. Laffan’s body to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.
SDFD Chief Colin Stowell said he wanted to honor the young firefighter with the department escort.
“I knew from our own experience of having to go through tragic accidents. I reached out to him and expressed my condolences to ensure we would take care of his member just like one of our members down here,” Mr. Stowell told local television station ABC 10 News.
