Use of Force Incidents

Use of Force Overview

The use of force by law enforcement personnel is a matter of critical concern, both to the public and to the law enforcement community. Officers are involved on a daily basis in numerous and varied interactions. When warranted, officers may use reasonable force in carrying out their duties.

The Claremont Police Department recognizes and respects the value of all human life and dignity without prejudice to anyone. Granting officers with the legal authority to use reasonable force and to protect the public welfare requires monitoring, evaluation and a careful balancing of all interests. This report is being provided to inform the community of Department activities as they relate to use of force encounters.

The reporting and disclosure of Use of Force records is governed by Penal Code (“PC”) § 832.7 (aka SB1421). 

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Use of Force Incident on November 28, 2025

Claremont Police Department Case #: 2502594

 

On November 28, 2025 at approximately 3:18pm, the Claremont Police Department received two independent 911 calls regarding an individual behaving erratically and about to enter his vehicle. The callers expressed concern about the individual driving in his condition. Officer Joshua Orona conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle fitting the 9-1-1 call description. Officer Orona contacted the driver, Diego Alfonso Rios of Rancho Cucamonga. An additional officer, Corporal Benjamin Alba, also responded. After observing signs that the driver was under the influence, the officer asked the driver to step out of the vehicle. During an attempt to detain the driver and place him in handcuffs, a struggle ensued and officers took the driver to the ground and handcuffed him.

Mr. Rios became unresponsive and life saving measures were immediately performed by Claremont Police Department officers and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Mr. Rios was transported to the hospital and was later pronounced deceased.

The Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department (LACSD) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Rios. The Los Angeles County medical examiner will determine cause of death, and LACSD and District Attorney will make their finding after the investigations are complete. Claremont Police Department will make the findings public when they are available.

In response to requests, the City is releasing the officers’ names, 9-1-1 call recordings, call log, officer’s body-worn camera recordings, security videos from adjacent properties, and the supplemental police report to the public.  The initial press release issued on November 29, 2025 is also provided.

For information regarding this investigation or media inquiries, please call Sheriff’s Homicide at 323-890-5500.

Press Release 11/29/25- Fatal Incident Following Traffic Stop(PDF, 113KB)

FAQ-November-28-2025-Use-of-Force-Incident(PDF, 104KB)

Medical Examiner's Report

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has released the autopsy report for Diego Rios (Case #2025-18661). The report lists the cause of death as; A.) Cardiopulmonary Arrest, and B.) Effects of Cocaine and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the Setting of Prone Physical Restraint. The report lists the manner of death as Homicide. The Medical Examiner’s definition of Homicide is a “volitional act of another person.” It is one of five categories the Medical Examiners’ office may select in manner of death (Natural, Suicide, Accident, Homicide, and Undetermined).

The Homicide determination from the Medical Examiner’s office is not an investigative finding nor a criminal charge. The Medical Examiner does not make this determination. The case is still under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office of Justice System Integrity Division.

Medical Examiner's Report - Autopsy and Toxicology(PDF, 3MB)

 Additional Records and Recordings