A San Francisco fire department lieutenant is under investigation after he made comments online cheering a federal immigration operation in Oakland and saying he wanted more immigrants deported.
Lt. David Waters, who has been with the San Francisco Fire Department for more than a decade, commented on a November story about a West Oakland immigration operation with a GIF reading “Gotta catch ‘em all!” The phrase is a reference to Pokemon, and the GIF featured a smiling Pikachu pumping his fist.
David Waters commenting “Gotta catch ’em all!” on the SFGate story.
The story referred to a Nov. 19 incident in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle reportedly totaled a pregnant woman’s car after a high-speed chase to pursue a man who had tried to “flee” from agents. The woman was unharmed. The man had reportedly dropped off a child, either his child or grandchild, at an elementary school when ICE targeted him for arrest.
After Waters’ initial comment on SFGate’s Instagram post of the story, a user wrote it “would be a shame” if people called the fire department “letting them know what a racist they have working for them.” Waters then replied: “how am I racist for wanting illegals deported?”
He also said “no one is being ‘kidnapped’ how is it wrong?” and “You don’t get to enter a country illegally then complain when you’re told to leave or detained and forced to leave!”
David Waters’ Instagram comments on Nov. 20, 2025.
David Waters’ Instagram comments on Nov. 20, 2025.
The posts and Waters’ Instagram profile were deleted hours after Mission Local asked the fire department for comment on Sunday evening. Waters’ LinkedIn, which previously listed him as a “lieutenant with the San Francisco Fire Department,” said he was in “landscape photography.” His face had been scrubbed from it.
A “David Waters” was listed in the San Francisco Fire Department’s payroll as far back as 2009. His most recent salary was $319,625.98 — $264,773.96 in pay and the rest in benefits, according to Transparent California.
The fire department is investigating the incident.
David Waters according to his LinkedIn profile, which has been scrubbed of his image.
“The San Francisco Fire Department is aware of the social media comments made by an off-duty employee and is taking the matter seriously,” Lt. Mariano Elias wrote in a statement. Elias said the comments “do not reflect the values and principles of the San Francisco Fire Department,” which is committed to “protect and serve all members of the community, regardless of their background or immigration status.”
“We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we do not tolerate behavior that promotes hate or discrimination,” Elias wrote. “We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, which may include disciplinary measures, to ensure that our values and policies are upheld.”
Waters did not respond to an emailed request for comment.