Rich Garcia

Lieutenant Watch Commander
Patrol Division

Rich Garcia

Lieutenant Watch Commander
Patrol Division

Lieutenant Richard Garcia Jr. was born and raised in Stockton, CA, where he has lived for a life time. He attended A.A. Stagg High School and San Joaquin Delta College. While in high school, he met and later married his wife in 2001.

While researching and preparing to enroll in the Police Academy, Lieutenant Garcia found a job opportunity with San Joaquin County at the District Attorney’s Office. From 1999-2002, Lieutenant Garcia worked full-time for San Joaquin County, while attending San Joaquin Delta College and the Police Academy. After graduating in October 2001, he was hired by Stanislaus County as a Deputy Sheriff in June 2002. Later, he accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, assigned to Stockton and Manteca courts as a bailiff, from October 2002 – June 2003.

Lieutenant Garcia, before being promoted to Sergeant in 2021, was assigned to Patrol, the SWAT Team, Country Club Community Car, AB109 Task Force and served twice as a Field Training Officer (2005 – 2010 and 2012 – 2015). In 2016, he was recognized as SWAT Officer of the Year. Most recently Lieutenant Garcia served as AGNET Supervisor (2022-2024).

Throughout his career, Lieutenant Garcia has had the support of his family: wife, Wendy, who also works for San Joaquin County, and their four children: Sabrina (daughter), lives in Tennessee and is in the US Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, KY., Richard III (son), is a Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer, Sydney (daughter), and Ryley (son), work for R Healthy Meals in Stockton.

When not at work, Lieutenant Garcia enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and traveling with his wife. He and his wife also enjoy spending time with their granddaughter, Alesia.