The Oakland Fire Department is mourning the death of a firefighter paramedic who reportedly drowned Thursday morning in San Diego’s Pacific Beach.
City of San Diego spokesman José Ysea told The Times that at around 2 a.m. Thursday, the San Diego Police Department received a call from the mother of a missing swimmer at Pacific Beach near Crystal Pier.
Lifeguards and law enforcement officers searched the area for two hours looking for missing 25-year-old Caeden Laffan.
Isi said that before 5 o’clock, Rafan’s body was found in the sand on the north side of the pier.
According to the city of San Diego, Laffan was on vacation attending the California Firefighters Summer Games with his family. He reportedly went swimming alone.
Issey said Lafan’s body was taken to a lifeguard tower and later to the medical examiner’s office.
The San Diego Fire Chief informed Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington of Laffan’s death.
According to a news release from the Oakland Fire Department, the details leading up to Laffan’s death are “still being pieced together.”
“At this time, according to authorities and first responders, drowning appears to be the cause of death,” Auckland’s statement said.
Covington said Laffan is a young and enthusiastic member of the department “who has a bright future ahead of him.”
“Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family and everyone who knew, worked with, and loved him,” he said.
Laffan’s father, Oakland Fire Department Assistant Chief Sean Laffan, died in the line of duty in November 2020 at the age of 42.
