Sheriff’s Cadet Dies While Training

A sheriff’s cadet died of a heart attack Friday afternoon during a routine exercise session, sheriff’s deputies said.

James Gearhart, 33, had been on a 400-yard run with several other cadets at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, where the sheriff’s training academy is situated, when he began to complain of neck pains, Sheriff’s Department officials said.

Gearhart collapsed shortly after his instructors told him to rest. He remained conscious until Chula Vista Fire Department officials arrived, when he apparently suffered a heart attack, sheriff’s officials said.

Gearhart, a resident of Chula Vista, was taken to Chula Vista Community Hospital, where he was pronouned dead at 5:10 p.m., according to sheriff’s officials.