SALUTE. Chief Garcia, it has been an absolute privilege to serve under your leadership.
Today is not goodbye but a time to say THANK YOU for the more than 35 years of service you dedicated to our City. Your legacy will forever be honored at our agency.
You left us better than you found us, and we hope you enjoy every moment of retirement. You’ve certainly earned it!
Today we said thank you and best wishes to Chief Ruben Garcia, who retired after more than 35 years of service. It was standing room only at Chief Garcia’s retirement celebration, filled with people who came out of friendship and respect for this humble servant leader.
In honor of his service, the Lakeland Police Department’s Training Range was dedicated and renamed the Chief Ruben Garcia Training Range. It was a fitting tribute to a man who always stressed the importance of training and safety for officers.
Thank you, Chief! See you soon.