Law enforcement officers memorial held in Carson City

Nevada officials gathered at the Capitol in Carson City on Thursday for the 27th annual Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony.

The memorial was dedicated in 1998 to recognize Nevada peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

The first officer to die in the line of duty was Carson County, Nevada Territory Sheriff John L. Blackburn, killed in 1861 while making an arrest.

This year, there were five names to add to the memorial, raising the total to 157.

Officer Anthony Francone, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Police, died Aug. 25, 2023, when he was struck by a vehicle.

Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix of the Nevada Department of Public Safety Nevada Highway Patrol died Nov. 30, 2023 when both were struck by a drunk driver.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial has added Nevada Department of Public Safety Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Clifford Fontaine, who died Nov. 27, 2021, from COVID-19, and Corrections Officer Victor Hunter, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who died Sept. 16, 2011, from a work-related incident, to the list of names to be honored.

The service began with the presentation of colors by the combined Nevada Law Enforcement Honor Guard.

Gov. Joe Lombardo read a proclamation designating May 2 as National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day in Nevada and honored the legacies of fallen officers. The governor previously served in the military and as Clark County sheriff before he was sworn in as the state’s 31st governor.

“Their legacies will echo into eternity,” Lombardo said. “They demonstrate a selflessness, honor and duty to our state and to our country.”

He also said it was important to rally around the families of officers who died in service.

“Part of the ceremony today and future ceremonies is to ensure that our words don’t fall hollow and that we say exactly what we mean,” he said.

Richard Fletcher, a retired captain from the LVMPD, led the ceremony and introduced various guest speakers who reflected on the officers who would be added to the memorial this year.

Carson High School’s choir, led by director Andrew Sonnemaker, led musical performances for the service.

The names of the fallen officers were carried from Las Vegas to Carson City by a relay of running peace officers. That relay was completed Wednesday when the names were transferred from Douglas County to Carson City.