Rialto Councilman Pronounced Dead After Being Found Unresponsive In Car

RIALTO (CBSLA.com) — Shawn O'Connell, a Rialto councilman, has died after being found unresponsive in his vehicle.

Just after 11 a.m. Sunday, police and deputies responded to the 24800 block of Redlands Boulevard to check the area for a missing person's vehicle.

When they arrived, they found a vehicle that matched the description. Inside was O'Connell, who was unresponsive, and was pronounced dead.

Authorities said deputies found no sign of foul play.

O'Connell was also a retired police sergeant with the Rialto Police Department.

During his tenure there, he ran a patrol team and was assigned as a crisis negotiator for the SWAT team.

"We are deeply saddened by this news and have received an outpouring of condolences from friends, current and former employees, city staff, and community members alike," Rialto police said in a news release.

They described O'Connell as having a "strong work ethic and a no-nonsense attitude for fighting crime." In 1998, he received the award for Officer of the Year.

The circumstances surrounding his death were unknown. An autopsy is expected to be conducted to determine a cause of death.

O'Connell was 48.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation was asked to call Sgt Kaysie Smith at (909)387-3545.