Edmond Police Officer Josh Lindsey Wins Gold at World Police and Fire Games

For Patrolman Josh Lindsey with the Edmond police department, it was something he knew he wanted to pursue from a pretty early age.

“My senior year of high school is when the May 20th tornado hit, and seeing all the first responders, their response to that kind of opened my eyes up to the possibility of being able to help people,” said Officer Josh Lindsey with the Edmond Police Department.

Long before Officer Lindsey started fighting crime with the Edmond police department, he was fighting opponents on the wrestling mat, and he wasn’t just good, he was really good.

“I grew up wrestling, I started about the age of five, and wrestled all through Little League, junior high, high school, continued my career up here at UCO,” said Lindsey

So, when some of his colleagues in the department started telling him and the world police and fire games, it kind of got his interest.

“Once that registration went through and they were like hey, you’re in, and I was like, ok, it’s time to lock in, we have to start training, start preparing, get weight under control,” said Lindsey.

This year’s competition was in Alabama, with over 50 countries represented and 8,500 athletes all competing in many different events.

“I was nervous, but I was anxious at the same time, ready to get back on the mat and compete, because the last time I wrestled in any kind of competitive capacity was in college back in 2017,” said Lindsey.

 But once on the mat, his skills were all there.

“I was able to come home with gold. I kind of went out, not expecting to, at all, but hoping to,” said Lindsey.

Now, around the department, he is no longer Officer Lindsey.

“And every now and then you’ll hear someone say, world champ is coming, world champ is here,” said Lindsey.

Being back on the mat and winning the gold medal is bringing back some old feelings.

“It has reignited some competitive fire in me, so I’ll still stay on the mat,” said Lindsey.

Officer Linsey says he enjoyed the competition, but his recovery time is a little different at thirty than it was in college.