Metro identifies officers, sergeants in 2 fatal struggles

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 | 6:16 p.m.

Second man dies while being restrained by Metro officers (11-5-09)

Two Die After Struggles with Officers

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Metro Police Capt. Randy Montandon discusses two recent cases Thursday afternoon in which men died while in the custody of Metro officers.

Metro Police have identified seven officers and two sergeants involved in two deadly confrontations within four days this month.

The latest incident involved a man who died in police custody Wednesday night after a struggle with officers at a home in the southwest Las Vegas Valley, police said.

In that instance, the man, who hasn't been identified, had not been taking his prescribed medication and was behaving erratically, according to a social worker who called police to a residence in the 7700 block of Scoby Court.

Officers placed the man, who police said weighed more than 300 pounds, into a lateral vascular neck restraint designed to cut blood flow to the brain. Police said officers are trained in the maneuver to stop a struggling person without using weapons.

The three officers involved in Wednesday's incident are Michael Rowley, 32, employed with Metro since June 2001; Kevin Koval, 32, employed with the department since August 2002; and Jerry Ybarra, 32, employed with Metro since January 2000. In addition, Sgt. Mike Daley, 53, was also at the scene. Daley has been with Metro since January 1984, police said.

In the first incident on Nov. 1, officers responded at 6:22 p.m. Sunday to the 500 block of North 14th Street regarding a report of a fight involving two roommates, one of whom reportedly was armed with a knife, police said.

One of the men, Daniel Morantes, 47, became combative with officers and began screaming and yelling, as well as displaying combative behavior, police said. Morantes stopped breathing after being placed in a "bear hug" by police and died a short time later at Sunrise Hospital.

Officers involved in the Morantes incident are Shane Black, 27, employed with Metro since January 2006; Steve Morris, 39, with the department since March 2006; Matthew Eschker, 24, with Metro since December 2007; and Elvin-Ron Valle, 31, employed with the department October 2007. Sgt. Bryan Miller, 41, has been employed with Metro since March 1996.

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

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By mk1234

Nov. 6, 2009

7:32 p.m.

Suggest removal

Metro's had a rough tear with people going a little nutty.hope everythings ok guys.
By DTJ

Nov. 6, 2009

8:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

The LV Sun needs to get to the bottom of the "reportedly was armed with a knife" allegation, which gets thrown out there, but never substantiated. I understand that Metro is saying that someone claimed this when the call was placed to Metro. So no issue with mentioning this in these articles. But at this point, since Metro never again says anything about a knife, or anybody using one -and surely they would have if a knife was found on the scene, let alone being used by one of the roommates- it's in the public interest to have this rumor validated, or put to rest.
By mrtmtrvlr

Nov. 6, 2009

9:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

Good thing these stories are combined otherwise there would be 3 separate stories on the front about Metro killing people.
By DTJ

Nov. 6, 2009

9:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

mrtmtrvlr,
Man, ain't that the truth!
By ruinedsoul

Nov. 7, 2009

1:42 a.m.

Suggest removal

For the MOTHER of Tanner- your son was killed in cold blood. Officer O was trained on how to handle hostage situations. He was also trained on how to work with mental illness. But he didn't even try to defuse the situation. 3 of his fellow officers were going to use their training, but Officer O shot your 15 year old son in the head in less than 60 seconds from approaching you both. And it was ruled "JUSTIFIED".
But don't worry, the Universe will see to it that Officer O gets what he deserves for his IMPATIENCE. Ah, patience...such a hard lesson for some to learn.And Officer O will know when his Karma has returned to him. He will know..

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Metro is out of hand and they all stick together. The Sheriff needs to lose his bid for re election.
By robert_lv

Nov. 7, 2009

5:55 a.m.

Suggest removal

Looks like the surest way to get yourself killed in Las Vegas is to call the cops.
By unclegig

Nov. 7, 2009

7:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

Metro is scoring at a higher percentage rate during the last few weeks, 2 out of 3 so far because that lawyer who was shot in the back did not die. Time to get outside help in retraining the officers in dealing with the public without life being taken. I foresee a big chunk of taxpayers' money going for settlement unless metro has an insurance coverage for these actions.
By GunslingerA10

Nov. 7, 2009

8:32 a.m.

Suggest removal

It pains me to write this post, for some will cry foul and others will cry in agreement. More painful than its tone with which I take is the fact that our citizens are becoming at risk, more and more each day. Not by criminal activities but by the very servants we employ, painful as that may be, it is near as painful as the travesties from lost lives.

"One-bad-apple-won't-spoil-the-whole-bunch": Meaning- you must separate the bad from the good. If one bad apple is left unattended, it will spoil the apples next to it and cause a snowball effect which will not end until the whole barrel has become rotted and spoiled.

Intervention is sorely needed to correct this recriminate police culture of "Gillespie's Marauders" that is going unchecked by an ombudsman or outside independent agency.

Once again, it pains me dearly to have to point out that a cultural shift is in order within the Valleys LE and until then us citizens are playing 'BINGO" waiting for our number to be up.

I Love LV and all the people here. If we don't correct our actions now we will be lost in the near future. Our actions today are what will make LV tomorrow. We can no longer depend on what LV was, rather we must dig deep to create what LV is becoming. Stop the Hate, petty attitudes are not what gave birth to LV, nor is it what LV is all about.

LV needs to reacquaint itself with charity, tolerance, selfless service, and most of all "Home Means Nevada".
By afveteran

Nov. 7, 2009

8:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

The police department has to deal with crazed, hopped up on drugs nutcases every day. Some of these nutcases are going to die, either by their own stupid actions, or necessary force by the officers on the scene.