Recruit At Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center Dies

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Authorities revealed Wednesday that a trainee involved in a class at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center in Riverside fell ill and died, but offered no immediate word on what might have happened to him.

The recruit, who was assigned to the academy by an agency contracting with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for use of the facility, died Tuesday morning, according to sheriff's Cpl. Lionel Murphy.

He said the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, became ill about 7 a.m. for unspecified reasons, prompting staff to call for an ambulance.

"Upon (paramedics') arrival, the recruit lost consciousness, and life-saving measures were performed," Murphy said.

The man was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff's officials declined to state which public safety agency employed the trainee, or any other details regarding the nature of the training and the circumstances leading up to his death.