One of the Juneau Police Department’s officers accepted a promotion to sergeant on Wednesday, according to a JPD news release.
Nick Garza, an officer with the JPD since 2009, pinned on sergeant’s stripes in a private ceremony at the police station, said Lt. Krag Campbell in the release. Beginning a career as a public safety technician with the Alaska State Troopers, Garza subsequently attended the Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy and was hired in Craig, where he served as an officer for two years, Campbell said. Garza also served as a volunteer firefighter in Washington, where he reached the rank of lieutenant.
“Nick is a great asset to JPD, as well as the community and we look forward to working with him in this new role of Sergeant,” Campbell said in the release.
Within JPD, Garza has served in roles from a patrol officer to criminal investigations to the department’s SWAT team, Campbell said. Garza also acts as a firearms instructor. He was named Officer of the Year in 2016, and has received the Live Saving Medal twice, the Outstanding Police Service Medal twice and the Medal of Valor.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
