Man dies in hospital after “use of force” with Jurupa Valley deputies

December 17, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

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JURUPA VALLEY, Calif, — Authorities say a man who fought first with a security guard and then deputies – nearly managing to remove the security guard’s firearm in the process – stopped breathing after being taken into custody Tuesday evening, Dec. 15.

Although paramedics were able to render aid and obtain a pulse before transporting him to an area hospital, the man’s condition later deteriorated and he passed away, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

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Deputies responded to Stater Bros on the 5500 block of Mission Boulevard just before 8:30 p.m., after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, Riverside County Sheriff’s Sergeant Lionel Murphy has since said of the fatal encounter.

When deputies arrived at the scene they saw the suspect, later identified as Ernie Serrano, 33, of Jurupa Valley, still inside the store and fighting with the security guard.

“While detaining Serrano, he continued fighting with the deputies and did not comply with their commands,” Murphey explained.

“At that time, a use of force occurred,” the Sergeant said; adding, “After Serrano was taken into custody, deputies noticed that he appeared to have stopped breathing.”

“Medical personnel on scene rendered aid,” according to Murphy who said paramedics were “able to obtain a pulse,” before transporting him to a local hospital for medical treatment.

“While at the hospital, Serrano’s condition deteriorated, and he was later pronounced deceased,” Murphy reported.

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Although the Sergeant did not specify the type of force deputies used during Serrano’s apprehension, there are various types of force authorized by the department; which can include, but are not limited to, the use of control holds or impact weapons, as well as pepper spray or Taser deployment.

Citing the early and ongoing nature of the investigation, Murphy also did not specify if alcohol or drug intoxication or the possibility of excited delirium could have been contributing factors in Serrano’s death.

Excited delirium – usually drug induced – can cause extremely irrational and delusional behavior, aggressive violence and unexpected strength. It can also cause very high body temperature and a dramatic increase in blood pressure and the condition has been cited as the primary or contributing cause of death in countless cases across the nation.

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Investigators from the Force Investigations Detail (FID), Riverside County District Attorney Investigators and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Central Homicide Unit have assumed the investigation, which is active and ongoing, according to Murphy.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Merrill at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV203500160 and can remain anonymous.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.

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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.