Family, friends, colleagues honor Oakland police officer Jordan Wingate at memorial service
Oakland police officer Jordan Wingate, critically injured more than five years ago in a collision while responding to a call, was remembered by family and friends at a memorial Friday following his death last week from injuries suffered in the crash.
The memorial was held at the 3Crosses Church in Castro Valley.
In August 2018, Wingate was in a collision with a car and a parked big rig while responding to a suspicious person call at the Port of Oakland. He had to be cut from his vehicle by firefighters before being taken to a hospital intensive care unit in critical condition.
Among the speakers at his memorial was Oakland Interim Police Chief Darren Allison, who said Wingate battled to recover for years despite the terrible injuries he had suffered.
"We knew he was strong, but we never could have foreseen the magnitude of the fight he was about to undertake," said Allison. "For five years, eight months, seven days, despite his pain and adversity, Jordan courageously battled his injuries, fighting every minute to live. While confined to a bed he showed his strength, his determination, his warrior spirit."
Allison acknowledged community members who rallied around Wingate and his family following the crash, and noted Wingate's "generous and loving nature created an instant connection with those he met."
"After the traffic collision, the Oakland community provided an overwhelming show of support for their young officer, which demonstrated how much of an impact he had on people," said Allison. "Officer Jordan Wingate's professionalism, courage, commitment to duty and passion to serve represents what it takes to be a great police officer. He was an excellent cop. Compassionate. Loyal. Unshakeable. Heart of a lion."
Wingate's father, retired Oakland Police Capt. Randell Wingate, struggled through tears as he delivered the eulogy for his son but also elicited laughter when recounting some light-hearted moments of his life.
"I'm so proud of Jordan for touching so many people and creating his own legacy in such a short period of time," said his father. "He truly created his own legacy. Jordan stood for something, which is so uncommon in the world that we have today. Jordan just wanted to serve his community and there's, again, so few in this generation that actually want to dedicate their life to service and serving the community."
He added, "Jordan didn't care about politics, he only cared about helping those that were in need. Jordan never met a stranger, he treated everybody with respect, regardless of your financial, criminal or social status, Jordan found a way to connect with everybody with his big smile and his kind heart."
Wingate's sister Autumn also spoke at the service and also spoke on behalf of their mother Christine while accompanied by their brother Nathan. Other speakers at the service included Wingate's friends and colleagues on the police force.
Wingate was born on May 19, 1995, in Walnut Creek. He began his public service career as an Oakland police cadet in 2013 and later graduated from the 176th Basic Academy on May 5, 2017. In 2018, Wingate was awarded "Rookie of the Year" by the Oakland Police Officers' Association.
"Those who knew Officer Wingate described him as a hard worker who always had a smile on his face," wrote the city of Oakland in a press release. "Officer Wingate's dedication to duty and commitment to serving our community exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him, the Oakland Police Department family, the city of Oakland, and the law enforcement community. Officer Wingate was a true hero who dedicated his life to making our community safer."
Police said Jordan Wingate was the 55th Oakland officer killed in the line of duty.