Sheriff candidate announces campaign at scene of killing

Cathy Scott

Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 10:15 a.m.

Clark County sheriff's candidate Chuck Lee told a crowd of about 80 supporters that he plans to "bring back the pride and restore morale at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department."

Lee announced his candidacy at a news conference Tuesday on McKellar Circle, the scene of a fatal drive-by shooting by an off-duty Metro officer in 1996. Daniel Mendoza, 21, was killed when former officer Ron Mortensen, who was celebrating his birthday, opened fire on a crowd, hitting Mendoza once in the heart.

"I can tell you for sure that the Mendoza family, standing behind me, doesn't feel safe," Lee said. "I talk to hundreds of people daily who tell me they just don't feel safe anymore. They're concerned ... The sheriff needs to feel accountable to the citizens. It's time for a change."

Lee, 61, who was once a homicide detective for Metro and later served as a chief investigator for the district attorney's office, said the Mendoza murder investigation was mishandled.

"From my 18 years (experience) as a homicide investigator ... the seizure of physical evidence was contaminated. The vehicle wasn't secured in time. (And) you do not conduct a homicide investigation with an 18-minute interrogation."

Chris Brady, Mortensen's partner who was driving when Mortensen fired shots, was interviewed the next day for 18 minutes, according to testimony from Mortensen's trial. Mortensen was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Brady was never charged with a crime.

Lee emphasized that the best way to keep people safe is to put more officers on the streets.

"My years of experience have shown me that criminals do not commit crimes in front of uniformed officers," he said.

He also said he would prevent officer misconduct by conducting tougher screenings of candidates.

Tim Quillin, who introduced Lee at his kickoff, said he worked for Lee while he was in the district attorney's office, and "I support him now."

Howard Stutz, spokesman for incumbent Jerry Keller, 51, said after Lee's announcement that it appeared Lee was starting his race with a negative campaign.

Lee, however, said he's "running on Keller's record."

"That's fine," Stutz said. "We're going to run on his record, too. We're happy with what he's accomplished since 1994."

A third candidate, Bobby Hitt, who retired as a lieutenant last year after 25 years with Metro, said his campaign will address some of the same issues raised by Lee.

"To put more cops on the street, yes," the 49-year-old Hitt said. "To put the morale back, absolutely, because when morale goes up, productivity goes up, service to the public increases and the quality of the service to the public goes up."