Crowds of local community members, dignitaries and business leaders packed Islander Resort on June 23 to support injured sheriff’s deputy Julian Garcia. From auctions and fun games to food trucks and a car show, the benefit was one to remember for Garcia, his family and the community.
Islamorada Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney, the event organizer, said the benefit wouldn’t have been possible without support from local businesses, organizations and residents who stepped forward to donate or volunteer.
“It’s one of the best events I’ve ever organized,” she said. “Every time I picked up the phone and needed something, the community was there.”
Garcia wasn’t sure how he was going to react as he arrived at the benefit in Islamorada. It was his first time being in a large crowd since he was injured during a traffic stop in Islamorada on the evening of April 9. Following several surgeries, the decision was made to amputate his left leg from the knee down. He’s now on the path to recovery and working with a prosthetic leg.
Despite all Garcia’s been through, his spirits remain high and his outlook on the future is positive. Garcia said it’s all due to the support he’s received, from his immediate family, his colleagues in the sheriff’s office and the Keys community.
Garcia told Keys Weekly he was blown away by the event supporting him.
“Having the chance to meet new people and receiving all the prayers and well wishes for me to get better was amazing,” Garcia said. “What they did, from the organizers and volunteers to those who took time Sunday to come out and have a good time, it was amazing.”
Garcia said he’d love to get back into the fold as a sheriff’s deputy. “This is a career I chose and something I’ll never give up on. I want to be out there with my partners and law enforcement family.”
The event concluded at 6 p.m. Mahoney said she was leaving with some boxes around 7:30 p.m. She peered out toward the ocean to find Garcia and his girlfriend still there. They were together looking out at the water. Mahoney said she couldn’t believe he was still there, to which he said, “I don’t ever want to leave. This was the best day of my life.”
“I was so touched and blessed to be part of this community benefit,” Mahoney said.
Donations are still flowing into an account for Garcia established by Mahoney. Those wishing to support Garcia can mail a check to P.O. Box 650, Islamorada, 33036. People can also donate to Garcia via GoFundMe by scanning the QR code here.
