Unsung Hero Award
Mark Garcia
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department
In March 2000, the FBI and the Rapid Allied Computer Team (REACT) initiated “Operation Matrix.” In doing so, they recruited members of different police agencies to assist them with various assignments and duties. Sergeant Mark Garcia was recruited by the FBI and assigned to work undercover. He worked with the FBI for three years to infiltrate three organized crime families.
These criminals worked with counterfeit and stolen high-tech components. Mark was assigned to be the primary contact with the crime family members. It required him to change his identity and create a “storefront” business. He had to completely detach himself from the law enforcement community and had very minimal contact with his family.
Mark traveled throughout the United States as he gathered evidence against 16 individuals from three different crime families out of Los Angeles, Houston and Las Vegas. After three years, the FBI brought indictments against all 16 individuals, who were all sentenced to a minimum of 20 years each.
Upon completion of the investigation, Sergeant Garcia was responsible for the recovery of $450 million in stolen assets. His team recovered 55 stolen Mercedes sedans and significantly crushed the efforts of three international crime families.
Sergeant Mark Garcia partook in an extremely dangerous investigation involving three highly organized crime families. He was an intricate part of the operation and performed above and beyond the call of duty to assure that evidence was recovered and the individuals responsible were convicted. At the operation’s conclusion, Mark was sent back to Santa Clarita with a thank you. His department has never recognized Mark for his actions. Tonight, we proudly recognize Sergeant Mark Garcia with the 2004 Golden Badge Foundation’s Unsung Hero Award.
