Bay Area Firefighter Drowns Off Pacific Beach

SAN DIEGO, CA — A third-generation firefighter from the San Francisco Bay Area drowned off a San Diego beach early Thursday, authorities said.

A missing swimmer was reported around 2 a.m. near Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, according to José Ysea, a spokesperson for the city of San Diego. The body was recovered around 4:15 a.m.

"A search was conducted for over two hours," Ysea told Patch. "Lifeguards eventually came across the body just north of Crystal Pier in the sand."

The man was identified as 25-year-old Caeden Laffan, a firefighter with the Oakland Fire Department.

"He was a rising star in our department," Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington said during a news conference. "He was completely in on being the best firefighter he could be. Very energetic, enthusiastic, always had a smile on his face. He will be deeply missed."

The firefighter was on vacation with family and friends, Ysea said. He was in San Diego for the California Summer Firefighter Games.

Laffan was a five-year member of the department. His grandfather was a firefighter. His late father, Sean Laffan, served as assistant chief of the Oakland Fire Department. He was 42 when he died after suffering a heart attack in the line of duty in November 2020.