{"id":106730,"date":"2025-12-23T19:22:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T19:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/106730\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T19:22:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T19:22:38","slug":"s-f-investigating-firefighter-who-said-ice-should-catch-em-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/106730\/","title":{"rendered":"S.F. investigating firefighter who said ICE should \u2018catch \u2018em all!\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> reading \u201cGotta catch \u2018em all!\u201d The phrase is a reference to Pokemon, and the GIF featured a smiling Pikachu pumping his fist.<\/p>\n

\"ADavid Waters commenting \u201cGotta catch \u2019em all!\u201d on the SFGate story.<\/p>\n

The story referred to a Nov. 19 incident in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle reportedly<\/a> totaled a pregnant woman\u2019s car<\/a> after a high-speed chase to pursue a man who had tried to \u201cflee\u201d from agents. The woman was unharmed. The man had reportedly<\/a> dropped off a child, either his child or grandchild, at an elementary school when ICE targeted<\/a> him for arrest.<\/p>\n

After Waters\u2019 initial comment on SFGate\u2019s Instagram post<\/a> of the story, a user wrote it \u201cwould be a shame\u201d if people called the fire department \u201cletting them know what a racist they have working for them.\u201d Waters then replied: \u201chow am I racist for wanting illegals deported?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also said \u201cno one is being \u2018kidnapped\u2019 how is it wrong?\u201d and \u201cYou don\u2019t get to enter a country illegally then complain when you\u2019re told to leave or detained and forced to leave!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ADavid Waters\u2019 Instagram comments on Nov. 20, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"ADavid Waters\u2019 Instagram comments on Nov. 20, 2025.<\/p>\n

The posts and Waters\u2019 Instagram profile<\/a> were deleted hours after Mission Local asked the fire department for comment on Sunday evening. Waters\u2019 LinkedIn<\/a>, which previously listed him as a \u201clieutenant with the San Francisco Fire Department,\u201d said he was in \u201clandscape photography.\u201d His face had been scrubbed from it.<\/p>\n

A \u201cDavid Waters\u201d was listed in the San Francisco Fire Department\u2019s payroll<\/a> as far back as 2009. His most recent salary was $319,625.98 \u2014 $264,773.96 in pay and the rest in benefits, according to Transparent California<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The fire department is investigating the incident.<\/p>\n

\"ADavid Waters according to his LinkedIn profile, which has been scrubbed of his image.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe San Francisco Fire Department is aware of the social media comments made by an off-duty employee and is taking the matter seriously,\u201d Lt. Mariano Elias wrote in a statement. Elias said the comments \u201cdo not reflect the values and principles of the San Francisco Fire Department,\u201d which is committed to \u201cprotect and serve all members of the community, regardless of their background or immigration status.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we do not tolerate behavior that promotes hate or discrimination,\u201d Elias wrote. \u201cWe will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, which may include disciplinary measures, to ensure that our values and policies are upheld.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waters did not respond to an emailed request for comment.<\/p>\n

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