Nevada law officers memorialize fallen Carson City Sheriff's Office deputy at ceremony

Under rainy skies and the heaviness of a tragedy that wounded a community, law enforcement officers from around the state assembled at the state capitol grounds Thursday to pay tribute to Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Carl Howell, the 129th Nevada law officer to die in the line of duty.

In the early morning hours of August 15, 2015, Howell, an officer with the Carson City Sheriff's Office for nine years, died at the hands of a gunman following a domestic violence call at a Carson City home.

Flanked by dozens of law enforcement agencies from around the state, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval remembered Howell's bravery and commitment in the line of duty.

"Only a handful of men and women are called to be law enforcement officers. It's a calling that comes at great sacrifice. It carries with it a special burden," said Sandoval. "This year we honor the memory of Deputy Carl Howell and we gather to dedicate him. We honor, by name, a young man who was a true warrior. Our state saw the death of a son, a husband and a father."

Sandoval was joined by Howell's family, Carson City Sheriff's Office colleagues, and capital city community members who stood under umbrellas at the Nevada State capitol grounds to pay tribute to the man and other fallen Nevada law enforcement officers.

As they do each year, hundreds of Nevada peace officers from around the Silver State gathered in tribute to the 129 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave the last full measure of devotion to their oath over the past 155 years.

This included a special dedication to Deputy Howell, whose name has been added to the list of fallen Nevada peace officers forever enshrined on the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial marker, located south of the capitol and adjacent to the amphitheatre.

Police honor guard units representing agencies throughout Nevada were present Thursday. They were accompanied by a pipe and drum corps, buglers, rifle teams and horse-mounted officers.

The Carson High School Chamber Choir opened the ceremony and assisted with vocals during the baton presentation at the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial marker.

Howell, a nine-year veteran of the Carson City Sheriff's Office and member of its honor guard, represents the last -- and most recent -- name on the list of fallen Nevada peace officers.

Carson City currently holds the distinction of bearing both the first and the last names on the list of fallen Nevada law enforcement officers.

The first Nevada peace officer killed in the line of duty was Carson County Territorial Sheriff John L. Blackburn, who received fatal stab wounds while attempting to arrest a suspect in Carson City on Nov. 28, 1861.

In addition to the full contingent of honor guard representatives from every law enforcement agency statewide, hundreds more families and supporters of Nevada's peace officers also assembled in the chill of a spring rain.

Wet weather only added to the heaviness of Thursday's ceremony as angels wept, and their tears fell from heaven.

Carson City Sheriff's Office Chaplain Craig Legier delivered the ceremony's invocation, preceded by remarks dedicated to Deputy Howell and law enforcement personnel in general.

"Working in law enforcement can be dangerous, emotional, and unfortunately, we are seeing more lately," he said. "It's important for us to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice."

Legier then paused before recognizing the loss of Howell. It was an emotional moment for Legier and the compliment of Carson City Sheriff's Office personnel in attendance.

"The last name on this memorial is Deputy Howell of Carson City," he said. "Carl died protecting you and me."

Legier, in an appeal for his fellow duty officers across the Silver State, then led the crowd in prayer.

"Let us pray that we will never, ever again have to add another name to this memorial," he said. "May no officer ever fall alone."

The ceremonial baton, having reached the end of its final leg Thursday at the state capitol, was then presented at the service along with the passing of the riderless horse, another ceremony tradition.

Each May, Nevada's law enforcement officers make an week-long, Olympic-type run from Las Vegas to the memorial marker on the state capitol grounds in Carson City. Officers making the baton run carry a roll of the names of all the Nevada law enforcement officers who have lost their lives so they will always be remembered.

Following the baton presentation, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval was the first of three keynote speakers to give ceremonial remarks.

He paid specific tribute to Deputy Howell before also honoring the other slain officers whose names appear on the memorial with Howell's.

"The beautiful sound of bagpipes and the beat of drums reminds us all of the timeless tradition of law enforcement, carried on in the hearts of those who serve today and carved into this memorial for all eternity," Sandoval said in reference to the presentation of colors.

The governor also praised the efforts of those who volunteer to keep the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in pristine condition. The memorial was erected in May 1998 through donations from private funds. It continues to receive no public funds for its upkeep.

"All who pass will know that Nevada treasures her heroes and appreciates their undaunted courage," he said. "The responsibility of keeping the peace will always be the bedrock of a civil society."

Addressing the families of peace officers from around the Silver State, Sandoval expressed his appreciation for them and the service of their loved ones.

"We will never forget the sacrifice of your heroes," he said. "And we will always strive to prove worthy of their service."

Assemblyman P.K. O'Neill of District 40 in Carson City also delivered ceremony remarks following Assembly Speaker John Hambrick of District 2 in Clark County.

O'Neill, a retired law enforcement officer, said the memorial ceremony is just as hard for him as it is for other fellow law enforcement officers and the people gathered on the capitol grounds Thursday.

"This is an emotional day for me as I stand before you at this solemn event," he said. "As I look out over the names on this memorial, I recognize the names of several friends of mine; people who I worked with in law enforcement. I will always remember."

With respect to Howell, O'Neill said that although the ceremony is a solemn one, it should also include everything else that goes into a memorial.

"This is a time for sorrow, but it should also be a time to show remembrance, celebration and rededication," he said. "Let us remember those who have gone on before us. Celebrate the times we have with our fellow brothers and sisters. And rededicate ourselves to remember in their honor, never forgetting their sacrifice."

O'Neill emphasized in closing that the annual Nevada Peace Officer Memorial ceremony should also be a time for honoring the commitments of all who serve their Nevada communities as law enforcement officers.

"It should also be a tribute to those who serve and who have served throughout the state," he said, "to tell them we appreciate them and honor their commitment to making our communiites safer. It's time to let them know whe have their backs."

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong was the last to speak, saving his remarks to dedicate Deputy Howell's name to the memorial.

"Today we forever etch his name on the hallowed side of this memorial," he said, "joining all those other officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

Recalling Howell's last call at 2:18 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2015, Furlong said the 36-year-old Howell responded with valor in the face of imminent danger.

"This warrior emerged a hero for having saved lives at the giving of his own," he said. "His sacrifice assured that peace in the village had been restored."

Besides being a professional law enforcement officer, Furlong said Howell was also a former United States Marine and a volunteer firefighter.

He was deputized on March 31, 2006 and joined the Carson City Sheriff's Office, the sheriff said.

Howell later served on the department's honor guard, Furlong said, having stood at attention during Nevada Peace Officer Memorial ceremonies in years past, only now to have this ceremony held in his honor.

Furlong made note of his absence at Thursday's ceremony.

"Today, at this ceremony, we are short one honor guard member," the sheriff observed. "Carl brought to our small town an officer of solid character, integrity, compassion, professionalism and honor."

Furlong said Howell had been assigned to the Carson City courts when he volunteered for patrol duty in the summer of 2015, responding to the department's needs.

"Carl was there, like thousands upon thousands of young men and women across the nation who have chosen to stand on that line, to protect those in need, those who are defenseless, or those who are in fear of the darkness of night," Furlong said. "Regardless of the dangers, Carl was there. He chose to be there."

Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Carl G. Howell is survived by his wife, Rachel, their four children, his father Kevin Howell, mother Alice and brother Cory.