Austin officer dismissed after punching man on Sixth Street that left him unconscious
February 21, 2026
- What: An on-duty Austin police officer struck a man on Sixth Street in downtown Austin in 2025, rendering the man unconscious.
- Who: Officer Andy Garcia was fired by Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis; the Austin Police Department and its personnel records are involved.
- Why it matters: The department removed Garcia from duty and cited multiple other violations in his termination memo, raising questions about use-of-force and internal discipline.
An on-duty Austin police officer struck a man on Sixth Street in downtown Austin during an incident in 2025, leaving the man unconscious. The episode drew departmental scrutiny after footage and witness accounts identified the officer involved.
Police Chief Lisa Davis moved to fire Officer Andy Garcia in February 2026, citing the Sixth Street confrontation as a primary reason. The chief signed the termination following an internal review of the event and related conduct.
The personnel termination memo outlines the Sixth Street punch and details 17 other alleged violations of department rules and policies. Those additional charges cover separate instances and conduct cited by investigators, and they formed part of the formal grounds for dismissal.
Department officials described the memo as the document that lists the personnel actions and the factual findings supporting removal from duty. The termination ends Garcia's active role with the Austin Police Department while the listed violations remain a matter of departmental record.
The incident took place in a busy entertainment district downtown, an area that frequently draws police attention during weekend hours. The confrontation and the department's response highlight how on-scene actions and subsequent internal reviews can lead to personnel consequences.
Officials have pointed to the termination memo as the authoritative record of the charges, and the firing represents a final administrative step taken by the department at this stage. Any additional steps, such as appeals or other reviews, would proceed through the department's established personnel processes and record-keeping channels.
Community members, advocacy groups, and city oversight bodies often monitor cases involving force, and this dismissal will appear in the department's public records and personnel files. For now, the department's memo and the chief's action stand as the official account of the incident and the resulting employment decision.
Sources
- Employment termination memo
- Police department statement