Los Angeles police today were mourning the loss of an off-duty detective from Foothill Division who died in a motorcycle wreck near the Four-Level Interchange in downtown Los Angeles.

Jesus Ravega, 48, of West Covina, went down on the northbound Hollywood (101) Freeway near its junction with the Harbor (110) Freeway about 11 a.m. Friday, according to Los Angeles police and a coroner's investigator.

"As he was passing a big rig truck, he lost control of his motorcycle and fell," a police spokesman said Friday. "The passing truck ran over the officer's motorcycle and then the officer."

Ravega was rushed to County-USC Medical Center, and was declared dead shortly after arriving there.

He was a 24-year veteran.

"The death of Jesus is a tremendous loss to the LAPD and to the community," said Paul Weber, president of the police union. "Jesus was a dedicated police officer and will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Jesus was known for his kindness and his helpful nature and right now our focus needs to be on taking care of the family and friends he left behind."

Police did not say if he was en route to work at the time.

On Dec. 3, 2009, Los Angeles police Officer Kenneth Aragon was fatally injured in an off-duty motorcycle accident after drinking at a bar at the Police Academy, leading the department to revise its policies there.