A veteran San Dimas sheriff's deputy died Sunday after suffering a medical emergency while running in the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The deputy, a 13-year department veteran assigned to the San Dimas station, was treated on the course by medical personnel before being transported for additional care, and family members were notified.
Officials Confirm Medical Emergency
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the deputy suffered a medical emergency while participating in the relay. In its post, the department said it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the loss and is coordinating with the deputy's family to provide support and resources. Officials did not release the deputy's name or additional details in the initial announcement.
About the Race
The Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay is a roughly 120-mile, multi-stage law-enforcement relay that runs overnight from near Baker, California, to Las Vegas. This year's race took place March 28-29, 2026, according to the official Baker to Vegas rulebook. The event draws teams from across the country and is run in stages that vary in distance and difficulty, per the organizers' rules.
Race Conditions and Safety
The course cuts through desert terrain with steep climbs and wide temperature swings, and organizers deploy medical teams and communications assets along the route to support runners. Race partners and coverage note that companies providing connectivity and rapid-response support help medical personnel coordinate care in remote stretches of the Mojave, which can be critical during an overnight relay; see Police1 for an example of that support.
What’s Next
The department did not provide a cause of death beyond describing a medical emergency and has not released the deputy's name. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner investigates sudden or unattended deaths and will determine the official cause and manner of death, according to Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it will provide updates as appropriate in its post on X.
