The death of an off-duty San Diego police officer is under investigation. The officer died shortly after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI and released from a Riverside County jail.
Lawrence "Larry" Orso, 46, of Murrieta, was found unresponsive just before 10 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot outside the Cois Byrd Detention Center in the unincorporated community of French Valley, east of Murrieta.
Lifesaving measures were started but Orso was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which said, "There was no evidence of foul play."
Riverside County jail records indicate Orso was arrested on suspicion of DUI by the California Highway Patrol at 2:19 a.m. Saturday near Murrieta Hot Springs Road and Interstate 215.
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More than four hours later, CHP officers booked Orso into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on two misdemeanor DUI charges at 6:42 a.m., jail records confirm.
Less than two hours after being booked into custody, Orso was released with a citation at 8:26 a.m., according to the sheriff's department.
SDPD Acting Lt. Travis Easter said in a statement that Orso, a 15-year SDPD veteran who worked in the Mid-City and Northeastern divisions, died "after suffering a medical emergency."
Easter said, "His family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time" and that SDPD "is cooperating with the Riverside Sheriff's Department as we learn more about this incident."
"There was no evidence of foul play; however, the investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time," a Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman shared.
