Riverside County supervisors authorize distribution of Dorner reward funds

RIVERSIDE - Riverside County supervisors today (June 18) authorized the payment of $100,000 -- to be split three ways -- to people who filed claims for a reward for information leading to the apprehension of ex-cop Christopher Jordan Dorner, who went on a rampage in February, allegedly killing four people, including a Riverside police officer, before killing himself.

The Board of Supervisors actually posted the $100,000 reward the day after Dorner shot himself in a burning cabin near Big Bear, surrounded by law enforcement officers. According to board Chairman John Benoit, the decision to go ahead with offering the reward was based on lack of absolute certainty at the time that the person who died in the cabin was Dorner.

Supervisor Kevin Jeffries questioned whether the county was ''morally and ethically obligated'' to disburse the funds since there never had been an actual apprehension. But Benoit said the county should make good on the reward offer.

''Maybe there is something to learn from this process. But we are morally obligated to make this reward money available,'' Benoit said.

Supervisor Jeff Stone said the people receiving the funds ''acted in good faith'' and should not be denied what they had coming to them.

''By giving this reward, we are saying that we value the lives of our public safety officers,'' Stone said.

Authorities believe Dorner went on a 10-day killing rampage of revenge against law enforcement officials, whom he blamed for his 2008 firing from the Los Angeles Police Department. He is thought to have killed Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain; San Bernardino County sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay; Monica Quan, the daughter of a retired LAPD captain; and Quan's fiance, Keith Lawrence.

The county's reward is independent of any other rewards offered in connection with the Dorner case, including a $1 million bounty posted by the city of Los Angeles and other entities.

The recipients of the Riverside County funds are:

-- R. Lee McDaniel, a Corona tow truck driver;

-- Daniel McGowan, a Snow Summit ski resort employee in Big Bear; and

-- James and Karen Reynolds, a couple who own the Big Bear Lake condominium in which Dorner holed up during the

manhunt.

McDaniel will receive $5,000 for alerting Los Angeles police officers that Dorner was in the city of Corona in the predawn hours of Feb. 7.

McGowan will receive $15,000 for alerting San Bernardino County sheriff

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Riverside - Individuals who believe they're entitled to all or a portion of a $100,000 reward offered by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest of ex-cop-turned-alleged- murderer Christopher Dorner have two weeks remaining to file a claim.

The county is accepting reward applications connected with the Dorner case until April 19. Dorner is suspected of killing four people, including a Riverside police officer, during a February spree that ended with the fired Los Angeles police officer taking his own life after being surrounded by authorities at a cabin near Big Bear.

The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 13 approved a $100,000 reward for information leading to the murder suspect's apprehension. Dorner had died the day before, but because his remains had not been positively identified, the board went ahead with posting the reward. The money was made available for multiple claims or a single one, depending on claimants' eligibility, according to county officials.

One claim has been filed to date -- by Boy Scout camp manager Rick Heltebrake, officials said. Following the claims deadline, a three-judge panel will weigh claimants' information and consider the recommendations of the county in deciding whether and how much money should be disbursed. Former federal jurists Lourdes Baird and Robert Bonner, both of whom served on the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, along with former California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, will sit on the panel.

The judges will submit a written assessment to the board, which has the ultimate say as to whether anyone receives reward funds. Last month, the city of Riverside rescinded its decision in February to contribute $100,000 toward a million-plus-dollar reward for information leading to Dorner's arrest and conviction. City officials said his death made it a moot issue. Police believe Dorner went on a 10-day killing rampage of revenge against law enforcement officials whom he blamed for his 2008 firing from the LAPD. He is thought to have killed Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain; San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay; Monica Quan, the daughter of a retired LAPD captain; and Quan's fiance, Keith Lawrence.

More information about the county's reward and how to file a claim is available at http://www.countyofriverside.us.