Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Hundreds mourn slain Metro officer, denounce violence

Co-worker remembers Trevor Nettleton as ‘idealistic’ officer

Vigil

Steve Marcus

Devin Cossey, 9, nephew of Metro Officer Trevor Nettleton, takes part in a vigil for the officer in front of the Metro Police Bolden Area Command Monday, Nov. 23, 2009. Metro corrections Officer Daniel Leach, killed in an accident this weekend, was also honored during the vigil. Members of the Safe Valley United, Safe Village, Homeless Alliance and other faith-based groups organized the vigil.

Vigil for Metro Officers

Sheriff Doug Gillespie, center, takes part in a vigil for fallen Metro Officer Trevor Nettleton in front of the Metro Police Bolden Area Command Monday, Nov. 23, 2009. Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Communications, is at left. Metro corrections Officer Daniel Leach, killed in an accident this weekend, was also honored during the vigil. Members of the Safe Valley United, Safe Village, Homeless Alliance and other faith-based groups organized the vigil. Launch slideshow »
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Trevor Nettleton

Faces aglow in candlelight, hundreds of friends, family members, coworkers and community members gathered for a vigil Monday for slain Metro Police Officer Trevor Nettleton, who was gunned down last week at his North Las Vegas home.

“We’ve got great community support for what we do,” Sheriff Doug Gillespie said. “In times like this, it’s good for our organization to see this kind of outpouring.”

The event took place in front of the Metro Police Department’s Bolden Area Command, near Lake Mead and Martin Luther King boulevards, where Nettleton worked. It was organized by Pastor Troy Martinez of the East Vegas Christian Center, Safe Valley United, Safe Village, Homeless Alliance and several faith-based groups.

The inspiration for the vigil was Nettleton’s death -- as well as the death of Metro corrections officer Daniel Leach, who was killed Saturday in a crash near Searchlight -- but it also became an anti-violence protest.

“We’re not going to put up with this anymore,” one pastor said. “We are citizens of this city saying something’s gotta change.”

Those in attendance were led in prayer as they bowed their heads toward the white candles in their hands. An acoustic guitarist and singer performed.

Nettleton was in his garage in the 1100 block of Emerald Stone Avenue in North Las Vegas when he was confronted early Thursday, police said. Nettleton wasn't in uniform.

Police said there was an exchange of gunfire in which one of the suspects was wounded. Nettleton’s family was home at the time of the shooting, police said.

Saul Williams Jr. 20, Prentice Marshall, 18, Quadre Scott, 18, Adrian Pena, 17, and Emmitt Ferguson, 18, have been arrested in the case.

Metro Capt. Patrick Neville of the Bolden Area Command, where Nettleton was stationed, described the officer as “idealistic” -- a police officer who wanted to make the world a better place.

“He was very hard working,” Neville said. “He was the go-to guy. He was well respected by the guys at the station.”

Nettleton is survived by his wife, a 2-year-old son and 2-month-old daughter.

Funeral services for Nettleton will be at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial at Palm Mortuary and Cemetery Northwest will follow.

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