Corrections officer probed in death of former inmate

Keith Paul

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

A Southern Desert Correctional Center officer was put on administrative leave as Metro Police detectives continue to investigate if the officer was involved the slaying of a former inmate over the weekend.

No charges have been filed against the correctional officer, but he has spoken with detectives investigating Sunday's shooting death of Stacy L. McLemore outside of Cesar's Ringside Bar and Grill on North Rancho Drive about 5:45 a.m., said Howard Skolnik, a Nevada Department of Prisons spokesman.

"He's under investigation by Metro and was placed on administrative leave (with pay) pending the completion of the investigation," Skolnik said. "He went in voluntarily to talk with Metro when he found out they wanted to talk to him."

Metro Police Lt. Wayne Petersen said detectives do not have enough information or evidence right now to name any suspects in connection with the slaying. He would not comment on the correctional officer.

The correctional officer, whose name was not released, apparently ran into McLemore sometime before the shooting and called his supervisor to inform him of the encounter, Skolnik said.

The officer, who has worked at the Indian Springs prison for about 5 years, was a correctional officer at the same time McLemore was incarcerated at the medium-security institution, Skolnik said.

Skolnik said he didn't know if the officer and McLemore had any contact at the prison.

McLemore, 36, was shot and killed after getting into an argument with a woman outside the bar. The woman apparently slapped McLemore who then punched the woman before a man shot McLemore, who died in the parking lot, police said.

McLemore had an extensive arrest record with Metro dating back to 1984. His record includes arrests on robbery with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, attempted battery and assault with a deadly weapon.