The Oceanside Police Department has proudly partnered with Special Olympics to support local athletes by running in the annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run and leading law enforcement in San Diego County as top fundraisers for the organization. Through these events, bonds have formed with athletes, their families, and our officers.
Local Olympian Heidi Sands has been a resident of Oceanside for over thirty years and has been involved in Special Olympics since the age of twelve. Heidi has participated in athletics, basketball, bowling, floor hockey, golf, softball, and tennis. As a certified Special Olympics Global Messenger and Health Messenger, Heidi leads other athletes in promoting inclusion and health initiatives. In 2014, Heidi competed in basketball at the Special Olympics USA Games and in 2018 in tennis.
Most recently, Heidi represented the USA and San Diego at Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. Heidi brought home the Gold in singles tennis and the Bronze medal in doubles tennis.
To show how proud Oceanside is of her accomplishments, Oceanside Police have planned to surprise Heidi with a special swearing-in ceremony just for her and a special day with Oceanside’s finest as an honorary Police Officer for the day on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 9:00 am. Heidi will be sworn in by Chief of Police Kedrick Sadler and work alongside Detective Chris James for a day we hope she will never forget.
For media inquiries, please contact Oceanside Police Department Public Information Officer
Jennifer Atenza at (760) 277-5237 or email jatenza@oceansideca.org.
