A veteran Los Angeles Police Department officer assigned to an elite tactical unit died Thursday during a dive team training exercise in Huntington Beach. The circumstances surrounding the death of Officer Thomas Daniel Denton are still under investigation.
Denton reportedly experienced a medical emergency around 11 a.m. while participating in the training. He was transported to Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, where he was pronounced dead. Officials have not yet disclosed the specific details of what occurred during the exercise or the exact cause of death, which will be determined by the Orange County Coroner.
Denton had been with the LAPD since 2006 and was part of the Metropolitan Division, a specialized unit focused on tactical support and crime suppression. Public records indicated he held the rank of Police Officer III as of April 2025.
A procession was held Thursday evening, with law enforcement officers, firefighters, family, and friends lining the streets to pay their respects as Denton's body was transported from the hospital to the coroner's office in Santa Ana. Firefighters were observed folding a flag in his honor during the procession.
The Los Angeles Police Museum and the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs shared condolences on Facebook for the fallen officer, acknowledging his service and sacrifice.