Longtime LV police officer Bananto dies

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

Services for longtime Metro Police Officer Ronald Joseph Bananto will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lakes Ward Chapel, at West Desert Inn Road and Grand Canyon Drive.

Bananto died Friday in Atlanta from complications of an accident at his home in nearby Suwanee, Ga., his family said. He was 67.

Viewing for the former Southern Nevada resident of 46 years will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Palm Mortuary-Jones and for one hour prior to the services.

Bananto served with the old Las Vegas Police Department as a foot patrol officer on Fremont Street for 10 years and was on the department when it merged with the Clark County Sheriff's Office in 1973 to form Metro. There he served as a detective in the fugitive division.

Bananto, who had received commendations and awards, retired in 1985 after 23 years on the force. For the next 12 years, he owned and operated two dry cleaners near the Lakes. In 1997, Bananto move to Suwanee, where he was a high priest in the LDS Church.

Born Feb. 11, 1935, in Coal Run, Pa., Bananto and his family moved to Pioche when he was 16. He served in the Army in Germany for two years and later settled in Las Vegas.

Bananto was an avid sports fan and played softball for many years in Las Vegas. He also enjoyed landscaping his homes and traveling. He recently took a cruise to Alaska, his family said.

Bananto is survived by his wife of 32 years, Pamela Schofield Bananto of Suwanee; two daughters, Jaime Braza of Suwanee, and Tamara Morley of Alamo; two sons, Joseph Bananto of Atlanta and Jack Bananto of Salt Lake City; his father-in-law, former state Sen. Jack Schofield and mother-in-law, Alene Schofield; and six grandchildren.