Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington called Caedan Laffan a “young enthusiastic” member of the department with a “bright future”
A California firefighter tragically drowned in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego’s coast on Thursday, June 27. The Oakland Fire Department shared the sad news on X (formerly known as Twitter), marking another deep loss just four years after Caedan’s father passed away on the job.
Caedan Laffan, aged 25, was found around 2 a.m. near the north side of the Pacific Pier, south of the La Jolla neighborhood, according to San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell and reported by KTVU 2. Caedan had traveled to San Diego to participate in the California Summer Firefighter Games.
The San Diego Police Department received a call at 1:56 a.m., prompting an immediate effort from San Diego Lifeguards and the US Coast Guard to search near Grand Avenue. Laffan’s body was discovered around 4:15 a.m., reported FOX 5/KUSI.
Caedan was in the ocean with a friend when the incident occurred. Although the exact circumstances remain unclear, Lt. Rick Romero from SD Fire-Rescue mentioned that alcohol might have been involved, according to FOX 5/KUSI. Friends and a family member were with him on the shore before he went into the water.
Lt. Romero said, “We searched for a couple of hours with a rescue boat, land units, and a Coast Guard helicopter.” Unfortunately, it wasn’t until a shoreline patrol that a lifeguard sergeant found him washed up on the north side of the pier. “It’s just a sad story,” Romero added, as reported by KTVU 2.
Laffan had graduated from Oakland’s Recruit Academy in 2019. His dedication and passion were notable from the get-go.
“Caeden Laffan was an enthusiastic member of the Oakland Fire Department with a promising future ahead of him, and we are heartbroken by this tragic event,” said Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington. “Our hearts go out to the Laffan family and all who knew, worked with, and loved him.”
San Diego Fire Chief Stowell also expressed his heartfelt condolences, noting that even though Caedan was not a local firefighter, “all of our firefighters are part of our family.”
“I wanted to assure Caedan’s family that we would treat him as one of our own down here,” he added, reported by KTVU 2.
Caedan’s father, Sean Laffan, also served in the Oakland Fire Department as assistant chief until his untimely death in 2020 at the age of 42. Sean died of a heart attack while on duty.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Caedan spoke to KTVU 2 after Sean’s passing, sharing how his father inspired him to join the fire service right after high school.
“I knew I wanted to be an Oakland firefighter because of my dad. He motivated me to pursue my EMT and paramedic license,” Caedan said.
“We had about ten years we could have worked together in the department, but it got cut short to a year. Nevertheless, I cherished every second of it,” he added.
A representative for the San Diego Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
