The family of NHP Sgt. Ben Jenkins places flowers at the peace officer's memorial on the legislative grounds Thursday. The 24th annual memorial to fallen officers drew officers from nearly every law enforcement agency in Nevada. (Geoff Dornan/Nevada Appeal)
Peace officers from nearly every agency in the state gathered at the capital Thursday to honor three who died this past year.
That list includes NHP Sgt. Ben Jenkins, who was shot to death by a motorist he stopped to help in eastern Nevada.
“A family lost a loved one, and the state of Nevada lost a hero,” said Public Safety Director George Togliatti.
He pointed out that Jenkins was awarded the Medal of Valor for heroism during a violent altercation in Elko when he placed himself in the line of fire to rescue a wounded deputy sheriff.
“People like Ben Jenkins represent the soul of our profession.”
The other two were Metro Police Lt. Erik Lloyd and Nye County justice court bailiff Gerald Smith, both killed by COVID-19 in the past year.
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said while most of the nation was able to shelter to avoid the virus, peace officers continued to report for work, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. He said it’s telling that of the 366 officers who died last year, more than half died of the virus.
Lloyd died July 29 and Smith Jan. 18 of this year.
This was the 24th annual memorial event. P.K. O’Neill, Carson City’s assemblyman and a retired peace officer, gave the keynote speech after Gov. Steve Sisolak withdrew.
Sisolak was in Las Vegas along with First Lady Jill Biden for the presentation of the National Teacher of the Year award to Nevada’s teacher of the year. He was unable to explain to memorial organizers why he withdrew because Secret Service officials won’t allow the release of details of the president’s calendar more than a week in advance.
O’Neill said the past year has been unprecedented.
“The pandemic has caused a major disruption and challenge to our way of life,” he said. “Yet and as always our law enforcement officers, men and women, have saddled up and gone out to do their best to protect us. It is that sacrifice that brings us here today.”
He said since 1861, 137 Nevada peace officers have given their lives in the service of Nevada and its residents.
