04/04/2026
Heidi Sand is a Special Olympics athlete in basketball, softball, tennis, and flag football, and is a legend in the Special Olympics community 🏅 Today, she had the opportunity to ride along with one of her basketball and softball coaches, Lead Police Services Officer Jessica Hodges. She also visited with Chief Saadat, whom she first met many years ago during an Oceanside Police Department Tip-a-Cop event with Special Olympics. Heidi’s siblings also attended high school with our own Officer Carrizosa, who was on the wrestling team with Heidi’s brother.
More about Heidi: She competed in the Special Olympics U.S. Games in basketball in New Jersey in 2014 and placed 4th overall with her team 🏀 She also competed in tennis at the 2023 World Games in Berlin, where she won every singles match and placed 1st overall, earning the gold medal 🏅 After returning from the World Games, she was made an honorary police officer by the Oceanside Police Department in 2023 🚓 Heidi loves law enforcement and wanted to see what we do here at MiraCosta College Police Department 💙