For law enforcement in and around the Los Angeles area, the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay is a major event and time-honored tradition. Each year, police departments and sheriff’s stations spend months raising the thousands of dollars it takes to send 20-runner teams to compete in the grueling, desert traversing, 120-mile relay race, which begins north of Baker and ends the following day with a celebratory gathering in Las Vegas.

Participants train for months, following rigorous schedules as they prepare to compete alongside their peers in a spirited, friendly competition, each representing their agency with pride. This year’s race, held April 4–5, drew more than 250 teams.

But for one agency, the normally festive event ended in tragedy.

Levi Vargas, a 30-year-old San Dimas sheriff’s deputy and member of one of the many Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) teams, suffered a medical emergency during the race. Despite receiving medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries. 

Vargas began his career with the department in 2015 as a custody assistant before graduating from Academy Class #413 and becoming a deputy. He followed in his parents’ footsteps; his mother worked as a deputy at the San Dimas Station, where he would later serve, and his father was a correctional officer. Throughout Vargas’ 13-year tenure with the department, he held several assignments.

The LASD said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the unexpected loss of one of their own. “He was known among his colleagues and friends for his professionalism, commitment, and compassion to our communities,” the department said in a statement. “His loss is deeply felt across our Department, and he will be greatly missed.”

A vigil was held in San Dimas on April 10, bringing together fellow LASD members, local law enforcement, loved ones and the community to honor the life and service of Vargas. “This community was standing at attention, they were saluting; a lot of them were in tears,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said at the gathering. “It’s amazing to see that love and support that our deputies have.”

On April 14, Vargas’ funeral was held at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, the day after what would have been his 31st birthday, the Daily Bulletin reported. His wife, parents, siblings, extended family members and friends described Vargas as funny, outgoing, faithful, a lover of sports and travel, and a devoted family man.

“That’s somebody you want to gravitate towards and just brings positive energy to your life. Another aspect of Levi that I loved is how passionate he was. He would often host sports games and UFC pay-per-views at his house most weekends, and while watching he was always so attentive, bringing so much energy whenever his Dodgers would make a good play or win,” his friend Austin Stewart recalled.

Sheriff Luna was also present at the service and noted that, for Vargas, law enforcement was an “unmistakable calling” and that the LASD had become like a second family to him.

“Friends knew him as a calm, loyal and thoughtful individual. He never talked very much, but what he did say and his actions made it clear that he was valued. He was quiet but somehow hilarious,” Luna shared. “Without saying a word, at the perfect moment, he could give you a look and let you know exactly what was on his mind.”