200 gather at funeral for Elko sheriff’s officer

Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 | 9:20 a.m.

Sheriff's Sergeant Travis Maki, 32, died Saturday when he fell or jumped from a fog-shrouded overpass on Interstate-80 as he assisted at an accident scene.

Boise police led a motorcycle motorcade on Wednesday. The Elko Fire Department unfurled the American flag and Elko deputies led the final salute.

Sheriff Neil Harris believes that Maki may have slipped and tumbled head first as he assisted the Nevada Highway Patrol in setting out flares. He fell some 40 feet to railroad tracks below and died instantly.

There is speculation that Maki may have jumped out of the way of an oncoming truck, but Harris said that probably will never be known.

The sheriff's department is establishing a memorial in his name and the patrol is dedicating this year's "Shop with a Cop" program to his memory.

archive