Gabe Lira

Gabe Lira has over three decades of dedicated service and leadership in public safety and wellness. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Gabe enlisted after high school, spending his first two years stationed overseas and his final two years in the infantry with the 7th and 5th Marine Regiments.

Following his military service, Gabe began a 28-year career in law enforcement. Throughout his time as a police officer, Gabe served in a variety of specialized roles, including School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer (FTO), and detective in the narcotics unit. He also spent 11 years as a member of the SWAT team, responding to high-risk situations and contributing to critical operations.

After being promoted to Sergeant, Gabe recognized the growing need for mental health and emotional support among first responders. He spearheaded the development of his department’s first peer support team. This led to the creation of the Los Angeles County Regional Peer Support Team. As a department leader and regional team leader, Gabe responded to and coordinated over three dozen critical incidents across Southern California, providing crucial support to officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and their families.

In 2017, Gabe helped create the Public Safety Peer Support Association (PSPSA), an organization dedicated to promoting and expanding peer support resources for first responders. Over the years, the association has grown from a local initiative to a nationwide organization. Gabe’s leadership and dedication to the mission have been instrumental in this growth, and he was recently elected to the PSPSA Board of Directors.

Gabe’s passion for wellness extended beyond his own department. He was instrumental in creating and training peer support teams for multiple police and fire agencies, fostering resilience across the region. Since retiring from law enforcement, Gabe has continued his commitment to first responder wellness, focusing on developing proactive wellness programs and expanding peer support initiatives for entire departments across California and beyond.

Gabe’s leadership, experience, and dedication make him a trusted advisor in the realm of first responder wellness, ensuring that those who serve their communities receive the support they need to thrive both personally and professionally.