Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service honors officers who died in the line of duty
The 25th annual Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony was held at the Capitol grounds in Carson City Thursday afternoon to honor the 144 Nevada Peace Officers that have died in the line of duty.
This year, four of the officers being honored died from COVID-19.
In 1998, the memorial was dedicated on the Capitol grounds to recognize the ultimate sacrifice these officers made in service of their communities.
According to Retired Captain Rich Fletcher, the Director of Ceremony, the first officer to die in the line of duty was Carson County Nevada Territory Sheriff John L. Blackburn who was killed in 1861 while making an arrest.
Seven officers will be honored this year; five who passed this year as well as two historical deaths.
Those officers who died this year to be honored include:
- Officer Jason Swanger, LVMPD, died of COVID-19 in June
- Trooper Micah May, NHP, died of vehicular assault in July
- Deputy John King, Lyon County S.O., died of COVID-19 in October
- Deputy Donald Peffenroth, Pershing County S.O., died of COVID-19 in October
- Corporal Ignacio Romero, Lander County S.O., died of COVID-19 in November
Two historical deaths will also be remembered: D/C Fire Marshal John Dorff, Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, died May of 1995 due to cancer related illness and Officer Marvin Scott, Henderson P.D., died in August of 1977 due to a heart attack.
The service began with the presentation of colors by the combined Nevada Law Enforcement Honor Guard.
Governor Sisolak along with each agency leader for the above departments was invited to speak at the ceremony.
Law enforcement agencies from across the state, accompanied by a Pipe and Drum Corp, buglers, rifles teams and horse mounted officers participated in the memorial service.