Officer Galvan finds balance in boxing

December 16, 2024

Officer Galvan with the poster for his April 2024 boxing match during Battle of the Badges.

Balancing the stress of work with one’s home life has found Correctional Officer Manuel “Manny” Galvan turning to the boxing ring.

In 2019, the Sierra Conservation Center correctional officer first participated in Battle of the Badges.

He said he admired the amount of training and discipline it takes to compete in boxing. While he trained a little when he was young, he never competed in the ring.

“When I started working for the department, I heard about the Battle of the Badges and decided to give myself a challenge. I grew up watching the sport of boxing, but had very little training,” he recalls. “When I decided to start training as an adult for a boxing match, I knew I had a lot of hard work ahead of me. I called on my friend Luke Bunnell, a brother and operator, who is part of SCC’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) for some help coaching me for my first match.”

After he started training, Galvan was hooked.

Galvan on work, family, and training

Officer Galvan and the warden with a boxing title belt. — Acting Warden J. Prudhel, shows his support for Officer Galvan.

“My first day of training was a sparring session with Luke,” he recalls. “(I had) no head gear, just a mouthpiece and gloves. I have been training in the sport of boxing ever since.”

Galvan, who has been a correctional officer at Sierra Conservation Center for over nine years, said he loves living in the mountains.

The officer said he’s proud of his career accomplishments such as becoming an operator for the institution’s Crisis Response Team 7. He’s also a certified baton instructor.

“I continue to stay disciplined in my workouts and training sessions and improve my skills as a boxer,” he said. “Eating healthy is the boring part.”

According to Galvan, his proudest achievement is his family.

“Along with my sons’ sports activities and everyday life situations, family is what keeps me motivated. Having my girlfriend Tristan by my side helping me with meals and doing anything she can, keeps me disciplined. Being a good role model for my boys keeps me excited. It’s not easy training for a Boxing match or any physical sport, it takes discipline, but I love it.”

Story by Lt. Ruben S. Jauregui

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