Edmond Officer Brings Home the Gold 

Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket from a world champion wrestler? For Edmond drivers, that’s now possible since Officer Josh Lindsey brought home the gold at the 2025 World Police and Fire Games. 

Josh made his return to the mat this summer in Birmingham, Alabama, as he faced competitors from over 50 countries—and won. Josh started wrestling at age five, thanks to a flyer from his elementary school. It wasn’t love at first match, but with encouragement from his dad, he stuck with it, developing a love for the sport that carried him through high school and on to University of Central Oklahoma’s team. 

Now well into adulthood and his career with the Edmond Police Department, Josh reasonably assumed wrestling was behind him. “That was until I got an email about the World Police and Fire Games,” Josh said. 

Josh signed up, and with only seven months to train, he wasted no time shaking off the dust. He jumped into the gym with old teammates, guys at the station, and anyone willing to wrestle. 

In June, Josh and his wife Mackenzie boarded a plane to Birmingham, and the competition began. The tournament was bracket-style. Josh received a first-round bye, then defeated a wrestler from India. “It was all a little nerve-racking,” Josh admitted. “I hadn’t competed since 2018. But I just wanted to get back on the mat and represent first responders.” 

The final match pitted Josh against the defending champion from Cambodia. “I went into it just hoping to place,” he said. “But once we started wrestling, I thought, this is going to be a tough one. I had to dig deep.” 

With his family cheering from the stands, Josh clinched the gold medal that he now proudly displays in a shadow box at home, alongside his shoes and singlets. On my first day back at the station, the guys gave me a standing ovation. Now I often hear, ‘Here comes the world champ,’” he laughed. 

Josh aims to defend his title at the 2027 games in Australia. Until then, he’ll continue training. He hopes his story motivates others to rediscover their passion. 

“I know it sounds cliché,” he said, “but if you love something, don’t give up on it. I’ve had injuries and setbacks, but God has given me the ability to step back on the mat. That’s a blessing.”