Firefighters, cops salute N.Y. victims

Jace Radke

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 | 9:11 a.m.

Metro Police Deputy Chief Ray Flynn is headed to New York today to deliver the respect and thanks of Las Vegas' public safety community to the families of firefighters and police officers lost in last week's terrorist attacks.

With the help of $1 million donations from Harrah's and Mandalay Bay, Flynn will present a check for more than $2,325,000 on behalf of Las Vegas' police and fire agencies.

The donation was announced at a memorial service Monday night at the Clark County Government Center, where more than 500 police officers and firefighters and their families saluted the rescuers who gave their lives trying to help people escape the World Trade Center towers.

Along with the donations from Harrah's and Mandalay Bay, $100,000 was donated from Southern Nevada's injured police officer fund. The rest was collected from residents and public safety employees.

Sheriff Jerry Keller said that Monday's ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps," was a way for local police and fire departments to honor the efforts of their counterparts in New York.

"We want to help the families of the men and women who were going up the stairs at the World Trade Center, when everyone else was coming down," Keller said. "I've been besieged with phone calls and e-mail from local law enforcement saying, 'Suit me up and send me to New York.'

"In talking with New York police officials, they don't need people and they have blood by the planeload, but they do need money to help the families with immediate needs."

The ceremony included a candlelight vigil, bagpipers, who played the hymn "Amazing Grace," and honor guards from local police and fire agencies.