Incident Details
Cause of Death:Special Deputy Sheriff Enrico Garcia suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting a tactical training exercise at a shooting range.
He was training with Task Force 7, a multi-jurisdictional response team he co-founded and is comprised of first responders from eight surrounding counties.
On a day when the heat index was nearly 90 degrees, he was overcome and collapsed while wearing full-body armor.
Emergency medical teams immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and transported him to St. Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil, where he was pronounced dead.
Special Deputy Sheriff Garcia, from Terre Haute, had served with the Vigo County Sheriff's Department for five years and had been in public safety for more than 20 years.
He served with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security as a coordinator for Hazardous Materials, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Counter-Terrorism Response.
He also served as a special deputy with the Putnam County and Sullivan County sheriff's departments and as a deputy marshal with the Roachdale Town Marshal's Office.
Special Deputy Sheriff Garcia he had previously served with the Terre Haute Fire Department as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for seven years.
He was survived by his wife, three sons, six sisters, three brothers, father and stepmother.
Military Service United States Air Force |
Historical Note • Special Deputy Sheriff Garcia is the first known Asian law enforcement line of duty death in Indiana. |
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