Deputy, in Coma After Surgery on Knee, Dies
A decorated Orange County sheriff’s deputy died Monday following routine surgery.
Deputy Brad Warner, 46, had knee surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange on Friday. Just after the surgery, he slipped into a coma. He remained unconscious until his death Monday. Hospital officials refused to comment on the case.
Warner joined the Sheriff’s Department 14 years ago, and in 1995 was awarded the Medal of Lifesaving for resuscitating a heart attack victim in a restaurant.
In the same year, he was awarded a Medal of Courage for forcing a suspect to retreat and abandon his semiautomatic pistol during a gunfight.
Before joining the Sheriff’s Department, Warner served 14 years in the Marine Corps.
Since 1993, he had been a patrol officer in San Clemente.
His left knee, which had undergone three surgeries in the last six years, was injured in 1995 when a suspect he was arresting punched and kicked him, sheriff’s officials said.
Warner is survived by his wife; a son, 23; and a daughter, 19.
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