Merced Police adds four new officers to the Department


The City of Merced added four more officers to the Merced Police Department Friday. Police Chief Christopher Goodwin conducted the swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon for Officer Anthony Demma, Officer Leah Garcia, Officer Angela Henke and Officer Asia Tucker.

With the new additions, 95 out of 98 budgeted positions are filled, with three vacant police officer positions. There are currently five positions filled in the classification of police officer trainee.

The new officers are:

Anthony Demma, a native of Atwater, was a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and is currently in the Navy Reserve. The Atwater High grad holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in philosophy.

He and his wife, Kayla, have two sons, Brady and Chase, and another child on the way.

The 30-year-old enjoys backpacking, soccer and barbecue when not working.

Leah Garcia, 23, is a Modesto native, who attended college in Australia. She was on the Turlock Police Explorers for four years where she was selected as Explorer of the Year. Garcia worked as an assistant at an elementary school and at a shooting range. She took two mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and has been active in volunteer work in Merced, Modesto, Turlock, Fresno and New South Wales, Australia.

In her spare time she enjoys hiking, running, shooting, camping, dancing and walking her dog.

In addition to her parents, Kelli Garcia and Gilberto Garcia, she has a brother, Daniel, and a sister, Rachel.

Angela Henke, 28, is a Merced native who has a bachelor’s degree from Stanislaus State. She worked for the Merced County Probation Office and had a year-long internship with the Merced County District Attorney’s Office.

In her free time she likes to read, kayak, wine taste and travel.

She is married to Ethan Henke. In addition to her parents, Liz Pitcock and Edward Pitcock, and her in-laws, Dan and Joyce Henke, Henke has her siblings, Rebecca and Jose Gaona and Hector Hernandez.

Asia Tucker, 30, comes from Atwater, and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She worked as a patrol services representative with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and spent three years teaching English in Japan.

She volunteered at an animal shelter while living in Las Vegas.

In her spare time, Tucker likes to read, karaoke, dance and travel.

In addition to her mother, Toni Tucker, she has a brother, James Tucker, and several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

The City is currently recruiting for both police officers and police officer trainees.  The position of police officer pays $62,169.36 to $75,566.88 a year.  Trainees can earn from $40,264.08 to $48,941.04. More information on the jobs can be found at the City’s website, www.cityofmerced.org.

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