Sheriff's Sergeant Dies On Duty In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Riverside County sheriff's sergeant suffered what appeared to be a fatal heart attack while on duty training with the K-9 team, Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Monday.

Sgt. Harry Cohen, 48, died Sunday night at Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley, according to the sheriff's department.

He was a 24-year veteran of the department, and is survived by his wife, son and daughter, according to sheriff's officials.

"Last night our department lost a man of God, husband, father, best friend, and deputy," Bianco wrote on his Facebook Page. "Sergeant Harry Cohen will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him."

Cohen was assigned to the department's K-9 Unit at the time of his death, although his career stretches back to 1996. According to the social media posts from the sheriff's department, the sergeant spent many years on the K-9 team and was a well-respected handler who was currently the team's supervisor.

As a deputy, Cohen worked assignments at the Banning, Lake Elsinore and Southwest stations and the Ben Clark Training Center. He was promoted to corporal in 2003, and to sergeant in 2010.

After his latest promotion, Cohen worked assignments at the Perris Station, Moreno Valley Station, Ben Clark Training Center, Public Safety Enterprise Communication, Special Enforcement Bureau, and the sheriff's Canine Unit, according to the sheriff's department.

"On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Harry Cohen," the department said.

There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements.

—City News Service contributed to this report.