On-duty death of RSO K9 Sgt. Harry Cohen shocks family, department
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is mourning the loss of one of their own this week after the on-duty death of 48-year-old, Sergeant Harry Cohen, who was assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureau’s (SWAT) K9 Unit at the time of his passing.
Cohen’s career with the sheriff’s department spanned more than 24-years, with many of those years spent on the Sheriff’s K9 team, which he was a supervisor over. He was a well-respected handler and was widely admired and looked up to by all those he worked with.
Cohen was training with the department’s SWAT K9 Team when he apparently suffered a heart attack Sunday, Oct. 18. He was rushed to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley where he later passed away.
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“Last night our Department lost a man of God, husband, father, best friend, and deputy,” Sheriff Chad Bianco sadly shared on Facebook after Cohen’s passing. “Sergeant Harry Cohen will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.”
Riverside County Sheriff’s K9 Sgt. Harry Cohen passed away after apparently suffering a heart attack while training with the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau (SWAT) last Sunday. RSO photo
Cohen began his career as a deputy with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 30, 1996.
During his two dozen years with the department he worked many different assignments in a variety of areas, including the Banning Station, Lake Elsinore Station, and Southwest Station in Temecula.
Promoted to corporal in 2003, Cohen continued working at the Southwest Station until 2010, when he was promoted to sergeant.
He then worked assignments at the Perris Station, Moreno Valley Station, Ben Clark Training Center, Public Safety Enterprise Communication (PSEC), Special Enforcement Bureau, and K-9 Unit.
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
“A husband, father, best friend and deputy: he will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” the department shared on social media after Cohen’s tragic death. “On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Harry Cohen.”
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After learning of Cohen’s passing, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said he and his wife were saddened to learn of his death.
“Jennifer and I are saddened to learn of the untimely death of Sgt. Cohen and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” said Newsom. “His service to the Riverside County community will not be forgotten.”
To honor Cohen’s many years of service, Newsom said flags at the State Capitol would be flown at half-staff.
That same day, Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chairman Manuel Perez led the board in a moment of silence in Cohen’s honor.
In the wake of Cohen’s unexpected passing, the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association has created a fund to help support Cohen’s family. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
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Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.