Oakland firefighter who drowned at San Diego beach ID’d

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A body was recovered near Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach Thursday morning after a call came in reporting a lost swimmer, authorities confirmed to KRON’s sister station in San Diego, FOX 5/KUSI.

According to the San Diego Police Department, the call came in at 1:56 a.m. and a search began shortly after in the coastal area near Grand Avenue. San Diego Lifeguards and US Coast Guard crews performed a sweep of the area, and police said a body was recovered north of the pier around 4:15 a.m.

Authorities identified the deceased individual as Caeden Laffan, 25, who was a firefighter with the Oakland Fire Department. Laffan graduated from the Oakland Fire Academy in 2019.

Laffan was in town for the California Firefighter Summer Games, according to Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington.

Laffan was at the beach with a group of friends and a family member prior to going missing in the water. Lt. Rick Romero with San Diego Fire-Rescue said the group advised lifeguards that he had walked out into the ocean about chest to waist deep. They said he then took a couple of strokes before going missing.

“Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who know him, worked alongside him, and loved him,” Chief Covington said in a statement. “Fire Administration and Local 55 will do everything necessary to ensure Caeden’s life and service are honored and his memory celebrated. The Local 55 Union Hall will be open for anyone who would like to stop by starting at noon today.”

When asked if alcohol was involved, Lt. Romero said it was “possible,” however, an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Laffan’s father, Sean Laffan, was the former Assistant Fire Chief for the Oakland Fire Department before his passing in 2020. Oakland’s fire chief said that his grandfather also worked as a firefighter.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.