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Deputy Levi Vargas, who died during the desert race, was assigned to the San Dimas Sheriff\u2019s Station.<\/p>\n
(Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department )<\/p>\n
Vargas joined the department in 2015 as a custody assistant and later graduated from Academy Class 413, officials said. He is survived by his wife, parents, siblings and extended family.<\/p>\n
Department officials said they were \u201cshocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was known among his colleagues and friends for his professionalism, commitment, and compassion to our communities,\u201d they said in a statement. \u201cHis loss is deeply felt across our Department, and he will be greatly missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Los Angeles law enforcement, the Baker to Vegas race is the premier <\/a>sporting event of the year.<\/a> Police departments and sheriff\u2019s stations spend months raising the thousands of dollars it takes to send each 20-runner team to the race. The desert race started Saturday just north of Baker and ended 120 miles later by the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday morning.<\/a> <\/p>\n The Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department usually sends a couple of dozen teams.<\/p>\n In a statement, officials with the U.S. attorney\u2019s office in L.A., which also participates in the race, said they were \u201cshocked and saddened\u201d by the death. <\/p>\n \u201cOur deepest sympathies go to the deputy\u2019s family and to our law enforcement colleagues and fellow runners at LASD,\u201d the office said on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n