25-year-old Oakland firefighter drowns at San Diego beach
An off-duty Oakland firefighter of five years drowned at a beach in San Diego County early Thursday morning.
Caeden Laffan was a 25-year-old member of the Oakland Fire Department who worked there since 2019, the department wrote.
"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," Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said in the news release.
A missing swimmer was reported in the Pacific Beach neighborhood shortly before 2 a.m prompting a search efforts, the San Diego Fire Department reported. Rescue swimmers and a helicopter were used during the search until his body was found washed ashore before 5 a.m.
The circumstances surrounding his drowning are not clear and Oakland officials will provide updates when available.
Son of late Assistant Chief Sean Laffan
Laffan's father was Assistant Chief Sean Laffan, who collapsed and died on-duty in November 2020 at 42, the department said. Caeden was a probationary firefighter at the time.
The Laffans are heavily involved in the department with Caeden's brother, Cooper, being a current recruit at the Oakland fire academy. Their mother also works at the fire department as a peer support outreach specialist.
"Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who know him, worked with him, and loved him," Covington said in the news release.
Laffan was in San Diego for firefighter summer games
Covington said the "rising star" was in San Diego for the Firefighter California Summer Games, according to KNTV. His death was unrelated to the annual event, which was scheduled for June 23 to 28, and he was not alone before drowning, Covington clarified.
"He was just out on vacation having a nice time and tragedy struck," Covington told KNTV.
Covington added that the department will support the Laffan family in any possible way after they "suffered such great loss," KNTV reported.
"He was completely in on being the best firefighter he could be," he said. "Very energetic, enthusiastic, always had a smile on his face. He will be deeply missed."