one Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy dies due to a medical emergency while participating in the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay, the Sheriff’s Department said. San Dimas Sheriff’s Department Deputy Levi Vargas died on Saturday, March 28 at the age of 30, the agency announced on Sunday, March 29.
Who is Levi Vargas?
The agency said in the X post that Vargas joined the department in 2015 as a custody assistant and later graduated from the academy’s Class 413. He has served in various assignments during his career, most recently at the San Dimas Station.
“He was well known among his colleagues and friends for his professionalism, dedication and compassion for the community,” the agency said. “Our department is deeply saddened by his passing and he will be greatly missed.”
Vargas is survived by his wife, parents, siblings and extended family, according to the agency.
“We honor his service and legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time,” it added.
What is the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay?
The Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay is a weekend-long 120-mile footrace run by a team of law enforcement officials. Starts Saturday.
The high temperature in Las Vegas reached 92 degrees on Saturday, AccuWeather reported. The high temperature in Baker was 89 degrees.
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According to the Baker to Vegas website, “The Challenge Cup/Baker to Vegas Relay was the vision of Los Angeles Police Officers Chuck Foote and Larry Moore. It was born out of a format developed by the LAPD Metro Division’s Death Valley Relay, which came to an abrupt end in 1985 after a seven-year run through the Devil’s Graveyard.”
The website adds, “Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club Corporation (LAPRAAC) General Manager Chuck Foote and LAPD Athletic Director Larry Moore drove across the track and came up with the name and basic format for the race on the long stretch of highway. The first stop was Baker, California, where a brief but very welcome visit from the principal of Baker High School gave the starting line a home. A brief stop in Shoshone followed, with whom he has forged a friendship that has spanned more than 20 years. 20 The year started with Robbie Haynes.”
