An Oakland police officer who was critically injured in a crash while responding to a call six years ago died Saturday morning, authorities said.
Officer Jordan Wingate succumbed to his injuries while surrounded by family and friends — including his father, retired Oakland police Capt. Randell Wingate — according to OPD spokesperson Paul Chambers.
The 29-year-old is the 55th Oakland officer to die from injuries suffered in the line of duty, OPD said.
“Officer Wingate was a true hero who dedicated his life to making our community safer,” Chambers said in a statement Saturday, adding that he “exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement.”
Wingate, who was born in February 1995 in Walnut Creek, graduated from the department’s 176th police academy in May 2017. He was the valedictorian of his class, following three years working as an Oakland police cadet. The Oakland Police Officers Association awarded Wingate “Rookie of the Year” in 2018.
On August 13, 2018, police said he was driving to investigate a report of suspicious persons at the Port of Oakland.
Oakland police officer remains in critical condition after 3-vehicle collision
Shortly before 3 a.m., he collided with a car that was coming out of berths 55 and 56 at the port, located in the 1900 block of Middle Harbor Road. Police said the impact caused his patrol SUV to then hit a parked big-rig truck.
Oakland police officer remains in critical condition after 3-vehicle collision
After firefighters extricated him from the vehicle, the then-22-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition. Wingate underwent surgery and treatment for major injuries at the time.
A Oakland Police vehicle, right, is photographed after it collided with a sliver sedan, left, and then hit a parked big rig truck along the 1900 block of Middle Harbor Road on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Oakland Police officer was taken to a local hospital and is in critical condition. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
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Wingate — described as a well-liked, hard-working officer who “always had a smile on his face” — had been assigned to the department’s patrol division before he “medically retired” in March 2020.
Police said details of Wingate’s services will be shared once arrangements are finalized.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.