San Bernardino Police Wait Tables In Fundraiser For Wounded Officer

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Dressed in uniform, police officers rushed out orders to customers at Mexico Cafe on Monday.

They put a new spin on serving the public to fundraise for a wounded officer.

Officer Gabriel Garcia was on duty Aug. 22 when he was shot in the head in San Bernardino, according to police.

"We're just trying to support him and do anything we can do to help him recover through his rehab," Officer Ray Bonshire said.

They were joined at Monday's event by the officer's parents.

Gabriel's father, Capt. Ron Garcia, also serves with the San Bernardino Police Department and was the on-call chief when his son was injured. He knew the situation was bad when he got the news.

The officer's injuries were so severe he spent several months in the hospital. Now he's recovering at a rehabilitation facility in Pomona.

Gabriel's parents said they're doing everything they can to support their son's recovery and are hopeful he'll be his old self again soon. They said he's making huge progress, learning to walk on his own and regaining mobility on his right stride.

"We knew he'd fight 'till the end and he's still fighting, to this day," Gabriel's mother, Lydia Garcia, said.

(credit: Garcia family)

"There are so many families out there who don't have this kind of support and we're very grateful that we do, and that Gabriel has this kind of support, because we meet many families that don't," Capt. Ron Garcia said.

The fundraiser lasts until 10 p.m. Monday at Mexico Cafe, located at 892 East Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.

All tips and donations go directly to the Garcia family.

Donations can be dropped off at the Mexico Cafe fundraiser, submitted online via Paypal, or mailed to the SBPOA (c/o Officer Gabriel Garcia, P.O. BOX 2967, San Bernardino, CA 92405, tax ID# 27-2231399) or to The Mexico Cafe (892 E Highland Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92404).

San Bernardino