Two years ago Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Michael Garcia was working an extra duty assignment when he pulled over drunk businessman Richard Anderson, who had just held a gun to a bar manager’s head and refused to pay his bill. Anderson exited his Pathfinder, walked toward Deputy Garcia and let burst a hail of 13 bullets, hitting Garcia in the arm. Garcia returned fire, eventually landing shots in Anderson’s stomach and neck. Garcia radioed for medical help for Anderson and now he’s receiving a Congressional Badge of Bravery, pulling down kudos from Democratic U.S. Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Douglas County Republican Congressman Mike Coffman.
The three members of the Colorado delegation were together praising Garcia in the same release.
“I am proud and honored to present the Congressional Badge of Bravery to Deputy Herman Garcia for his heroic actions in upholding our laws and securing the safety of his community every day,” Udall said. “Deputy Garcia went above and beyond the call of duty—something I suspect he does more often than just this one instance—and this Congressional Badge of Bravery is a symbol of our gratitude for his service.Coloradans are proud to have such a brave and honorable deputy serving them.”
“Deputy Garcia embodies the very best qualities of Colorado’s law enforcement community – courage and heroism in the line of duty – and our gratitude for his service can’t be overstated,” Bennet said. “In acting selflessly to uphold the law and protect his community, he has rightfully earned the respect of his peers and the recognition of our country.”
“It’s an honor and a privilege to join in presenting Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Herman Garcia with this commendation, as he is the living embodiment of why the Congressional Badge of Bravery program was created,” Coffman said. “His grace under fire and courage in the face of possible death serve as an inspiration to us all. We should all be grateful and proud to have such a hero as a part of our community.”
The Congressional Badge of Bravery was created in 2008 and is awarded to officers who exhibit “exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and unusual swiftness of action—regardless of their own personal safety in an attempt to save or protect human life.”
Udall, Bennet and Coffman will together host a reception in Garcia’s honor, Friday, January 27, at 1 pm at the Douglas County Sheriff’s office.
Deputy Sheriff Herman Michael Villalobos Garcia, a hero to the law enforcement community and a hero to the fading spirit of political bipartisanship.
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