{"id":251697,"date":"2026-04-04T14:24:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251697\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T14:24:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T14:24:06","slug":"pasadena-police-run-baker-to-vegas-relay-mourn-loss-of-lasd-deputy-during-race-pasadena-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251697\/","title":{"rendered":"Pasadena Police Run Baker to Vegas Relay, Mourn Loss of LASD Deputy During Race \u2013 Pasadena Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Officer John Severino, Lieutenant Edgar Sanchez, Corporal Ron Sereno, Corporal Philip Poirier at start of the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay Race. [photo credit: City of Pasadena]Members of the Pasadena Police Department ran the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay on March 28 and 29, completing the grueling 120-mile, 20-stage desert race from the Mojave to Las Vegas \u2014 an event that this year was shadowed by the death of a Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s deputy who suffered a medical emergency on the course.<\/p>\n

The Pasadena team \u2014 18 sworn personnel, two professional staff members, four alternates, and approximately two dozen support staff \u2014 was among 276 law enforcement teams from across the country and internationally that participated in the 2026 race.<\/p>\n

Officer John Severino and Detective Chrystian Ba\u00f1uelos served as team captains for the second consecutive year. Corporal Grant Hagaard and Officer Enrique Delgado were among the runners identified in the City\u2019s announcement. The team finished 14th in its category with a time of 18 hours, 39 minutes and 16 seconds.<\/p>\n

Chief of Police Eugene Harris announced the department\u2019s participation in the relay, which he described as a tradition promoting teamwork, camaraderie, physical fitness, and friendly competition among law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n

The race, organized by the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club (LAPRAAC), begins approximately 25 miles north of Baker, California, on State Route 127, and winds through Shoshone, across the Nevada state line through Pahrump, over Mountain Springs Summit \u2014 which tops 5,600 feet in elevation \u2014 before descending to the finish line at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Baker to Vegas relay has been held annually since 1985, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when it was suspended due to COVID-19. It is considered the largest law enforcement event of its kind in the world, drawing teams from as far as Calgary, Canada, and Berlin and Hamburg, Germany.<\/p>\n

The 2026 race was marked by tragedy when Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Deputy Levi Vargas, 30, suffered a medical emergency during the race and died on Saturday, March 28. Vargas was assigned to the San Dimas Station and had joined the department in 2015 as a custody assistant before graduating from Academy Class 413 and serving in several assignments. He was described by the Sheriff\u2019s Department as known for his \u201cprofessionalism, commitment, and compassion.\u201d He is survived by his wife, parents, and siblings.<\/p>\n

The Pasadena Police Department issued a statement expressing condolences to the Vargas family and to the Sheriff\u2019s Department.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hearts are with the Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department following the tragic loss of Levi Vargas, a deputy assigned to the San Dimas Station who passed away during the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay this weekend,\u201d the department said. \u201cWhile this event reflects the strength and unity of the law enforcement community, this year\u2019s race was marked by profound loss. The law enforcement community stands together in honoring his service and sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City of Pasadena noted that despite the circumstances, the department\u2019s participation reflected its commitment to the race\u2019s founding ideals. \u201cRegardless of the final standings, Pasadena\u2019s officers take pride in continuing this tradition of endurance, teamwork, and commitment to excellence both on and off duty,\u201d the City stated.<\/p>\n

The 2026 field of 276 teams was larger than last year\u2019s 243. In the 2025 race, held April 5 and 6, the Pasadena team of 20 runners finished 163rd overall. The overall race winner that year was the California Highway Patrol \u201cElite\u201d unit, which completed the course in 12 hours, 31 minutes and 55 seconds.<\/p>\n

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