Inland Empire, Calif — If you could take energy and enthusiasm and bottle it, then San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Corporal Daniel Garcia would be a rich man.  Before I had the chance to catch up with Garcia, I thought about an article that I recently read in Forbes Magazine, that proclaimed “More than half of U.S. Workers Are Unhappy In Their Jobs.”  After meeting Corporal Garcia, I firmly knew he was in the minority of that poll, with a passion and love for his work that was simply refreshing.

Not many people know, in their formidable teenage years know exactly what they wish to do for the rest of their life for work.  But I learned quickly that Corporal Garcia was one that did.  It would be during his teenage years, growing up in Fontana that Garcia got that bug to pursue his dream career in law enforcement.  “My sophomore years in high school, a girl that I was dating at the time, her brother was a police officer,” says Garcia.  “I saw what he did and it seemed pretty interesting.  When I got that seed planted in me, I joined the (Fontana Police) Explorers program.”  The Explorer program is geared toward youth, between the ages of 14-20 that have an interested in a career in law enforcement.  The program offers experience in the records unit, front desk, detective unit, traffic enforcement, and a patrol officer’s function through the ride-along program.

Corporal Garcia’s other passion is sports, notably soccer and baseball—he completely lights up when talking about the Dodgers and the team finally winning the World Series for the first time in 32 years.  But Garcia’s own athletic pursuits would be test while he was a student at Fontana High School.  A challenge that would make Garcia adapt at a young age.  It was an injury during his sophomore year, the result of an accident that left him with a shattered right leg, and cost him any chance of a baseball career at FOHI.  The injury was so severe that he was unable to participate in any sport for about a year and metal pins had to be inserted in his leg.

But the grit that has been with him all his life shined through.  Once he was cleared to participate in sports again, Garcia shifted his attention to a soccer.  During his senior year, his team advance all the way to the CIF Finals.  When asked why so many former athletes’ transition to law enforcement, Garcia stated, “It’s the team aspect of it and comradery as well.  On a team sport, you have to work together to accomplish a mission.  In law enforcement, it’s the same thing.  You go together as a shift, and your objective is to serve and protect the community, that your sworn to do so.”

One of the joys of Corporal Garcia work is being a positive example in the community where he grew up.  Prior to joining the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, Garcia was a Sergeant with the Fontana Unified School District Police.  When asked about his time in Fontana, Garcia added “it’s really amazing to serve and work in the community where you grew up, because you have those ties and you have that sense of pride.  When I was out driving, I would have flash back and remember we’d walk to this pizza place and play video games there (as a child).”  Even when he transitioned to the Sheriffs, he remained connected to Fontana, working at the Sheriffs Fontana Patrol station for over ten years.

One of the great things that Garcia does, and is one of the reasons I wanted to meet him is his heart to give back to those that are less fortunate.  San Bernardino City School Police held a Christmas toy drive, and Garcia and some of his colleagues purchased toys on their own to donate.  What impress me was, when I asked Garcia why did he feel the need to make a purchase at his own expense?  Garcia leaned back to his days as an athlete and the lessons learned about team.  With that, Garcia deflected personal credit, rather leaning on his current ‘team,’ saying “I think when it comes down to it, the men and women of the San Bernardino County Sheriffs, myself included, I don’t think it matters if were Police Officers or not, it’s generally in our hearts that we want to do that (give back), it comes down to having a good heart.”

On a personal note, Garcia is happily engaged and has two children.  He unfortunately lost a daughter to brain cancer in 2011.  “She’s with me every day, when she was four, she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.  She battled hard for six months, but unfortunately passed away, just shy of her fifth birthday.  I feel her with me, and I think about her every day.”

What moved me the most, was when opening up about the pain of the loss of his daughter, was the very next thing Garcia told me.  It is this very pain that he uses daily to be a better Officer.  “On the flipside, it helps me treat people with empathy, when I go on calls, and when I’m on patrol,” said an emotional Garcia.  “I personally don’t think there is anything that can be worse than losing your child.  What someone might be going through, might not rise to the level of losing a child, but I know it’s hurting them.”

When I left Corporal Garcia office, I had a new level of respect for the badge.  I am a married father of three and if I experienced the unfortunate pain of losing one of my children, I don’t know if I would have the strength to use that as a driving force when dealing with others.  But this is why we are proud to name Corporal Daniel Garcia as the #IEHeros, he is exactly what our community needs more of.

Thank you for your service, Corporal Daniel Garcia.