Duty Death: Oscar Reyes - [Costa Mesa]
End of Service: 12/09/2018
By Alma Fausto
The Orange County Register
COSTA MESA, Calif. — A Costa Mesa police officer died Wednesday night, Sept. 12, after suffering a medical emergency at his home.
Officer Oscar Reyes was a 13-year veteran of the department and served as a motor officer for the last 10. Reyes, who was 43, is survived by his wife and three children.
Earlier Wednesday, Reyes participated in the Orange County Traffic Officers Association Motor Rodeo, Costa Mesa police Chief Rob Sharpnack said in a statement. The competition, in Huntington Beach, is an annual motorcycle training and skills competition. “In the evening, while at home, Officer Reyes suffered a medical emergency and was transported to a nearby hospital where he passed away,” he said. The nature of the medical emergency has not been publicly disclosed.
“Officer Reyes was a loyal public servant,” Sharpnack said. “He was truly passionate about our chosen profession and committed to traffic safety in our community.”
Wednesday evening, a procession was held as Reyes’ body was transported to the Orange County coroner’s office in Santa Ana. Dozens of officers from multiple agencies stood and saluted outside the coroner’s building as the vehicle carrying Reyes arrived.
“He was our brother, our friend, a great father, and a husband. As a tight-knit Department, we are devastated and feeling the grave and sudden loss of our brother,” Sharpnack said.