Meet Josephine Breckley

Our first featured athlete is Josephine Breckley of the Culpeper Sheriff’s Office in Culpeper, Virginia. Josephine began competing in the 2015 World Police & Fire Games in Fairfax, Virginia in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Track & Field and Indoor Rowing; winning an impressive 15 medals over 3 Games.

Josephine began training in martial art at the young age of 13 with a dream of making it to the Olympics. Unfortunately, her situation growing up didn’t provide her with the means to attain that goal. When she started working as a jail officer, she began looking for martial arts competitions and that’s how she found the World Police & Fire Games. She never thought she would have the Olympic experience until she attended her first Games.

Working hard for everything she ever needed or wanted has been Josphine’s life story. Sacrificing sleep and time with family for daily training became necessary for her to reach her goals. Through that example, she is able to teach her children that with discipline, work and sacrifice, you can accomplish anything and that it is never too late to achieve your goals and dreams.

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up; figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.”-Michael Jordan

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming eNewsletter, email STEVEN BLOCKER

Postal Inspector, Alofagia Onciano, made the decision to pursue a career in the public sector because her family has deep roots in public service. She joined the US Marine Corps right out of high school and then transitioned to civil service. She eventually found her way into Federal Law Enforcement.

Since 2018, Alofagia has competed at USPFC in Police Action Pistol (PAP). She counts her Mother has her biggest personal influence. “She taught me at a very young age that I am in control of my destiny. If I don’t like what I see, then I have the power to change it.” When asked what advice she has for other women in her field, she states “Be confident in who you are and never waiver from your principles.”

Thank you, Alofagia for being a great competitor, a dedicated public service professional and an everyday hero!

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming eNewsletter, email STEVEN BLOCKER

Elizabeth Finnegan is a firefighter / EMT / EMD with Columbus Division of Fire (Ohio); starting in 2017. She was inspired to get into public service because she had the unfortunate situation of experiencing a house fire as a child. There was a female fire investigator on scene and she told her Mom that one day she wanted to be just like the investigator.

Her biggest professional influence would be Firefighter Sam Towns. He has been a member of the CFD since 1985. She looks to him for guidance to be a better firefighter and person. He has taught her so many life lessons she now calls him her “Fire Dad.”

Since 2019, Elizabeth has competed at USPFC in track and field events including long and triple jumps, 100m, 200m and relays. She is inspired by sports greats Serena Williams and Shaquille O’Neil. “Williams is such a great influence in her field and for girls and women around the world. O’Neil has his hands in so many different things. He maximizes his celebrity athlete status to do so many great things for the communities he serves. He continues to educate himself and is not afraid to try new things.”

Her favorite quote is “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” -Dan Gable
Elizabeth thinks this is true for all the “gold medals” of life.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for being a first responder, an USPFC athlete and an everyday hero!

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming eNewsletter, email STEVEN BLOCKER

No Championships this year means we don’t have the chance to catch up as well as meet and get to know our rookies.   So, we are reviving the Athlete Profile of the eNewsletter to give us the opportunity to get to know and share elements of you with the operational team in San Diego and each other.

Our first athlete is Pembroke Pines Police Department Sergeant, Jennifer Martin.  Jennifer grew up in Florida and decided to serve as she followed in her father’s footsteps into Public Safety.  He is now retired, but was a Special Agent with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

Jennifer is a five-year swimming veteran of the World Police & Fire Games and only recently began competing in the United States Police & Fire Championships; winning an astonishing 18 Gold medals. Jennifer started competing at 8 years old when her mother asked if she wanted to join the swim team during the summer to keep busy igniting a love of the sport and for the competition. “I love testing my body and seeing how far I can push myself,” says Jennifer.  Jennifer was also slated to be the Swimming Sport Coordinator at the 2020 US Police and Fire Championships.

In order to stay competition ready, Jennifer’s training consists of swimming, running and weightlifting; training between 3-4 hours a day. “I’m a big proponent of ‘abs are made in the kitchen’. I stick to a very high protein diet. Low sugar and carbs, with a cheat meal every week.”

Jennifer credits her swim Coach, Chris Anderson, with much of her success. With the ever-changing schedule of a law enforcement officer, he always makes sure she has pool time and has made her a better swimmer today than she was twenty years ago.

“I am looking forward to being a Sport Coordinator for swimming and excited about Rotterdam next year.”

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming eNewsletter, email STEVEN BLOCKER

With the 2020 Championships not happening, we want to give everyone the opportunity to meet their fellow athletes. As part of our Athlete Profile series, we would like to introduce you to Marcella Piersol, a retired Lieutenant with the Los Angeles Police Department. Marcella has competed off and on throughout her entire career mostly in running events. In 2013, after turning 50, she wanted to challenge herself in a new age division and ended up setting records in the 1500 and 5000 meter run in Track & Field. This ultimately gave her the confidence to compete at the World Games in 2013 in Belfast, Ireland, which turned out to be one of her all time favorite travel experiences.
In 2019 she decided to challenge herself again by competing in cycling for the first time in San Diego; winning 2 Gold Medals.

Want to be included in an Athlete Profile? Send a photo and short bio to 4info@cpaf.org