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StumbleNye County deputy dies at UMC after Pahrump shooting
Published Monday, April 26, 2010 | 5:33 p.m.
Updated Monday, April 26, 2010 | 11:12 p.m.
Terrible's Lakeside Casino
UPDATED STORY: Slain Nye County deputy, gunman identified
A Nye County deputy has died after being shot Monday afternoon at the Terrible's Lakeside Casino and RV in Pahrump.
The 27-year-old deputy was airlifted to University Medical Center after the shooting. UMC spokesman Rick Plummer said he underwent emergency surgery. The deputy died Monday night.
Nye County Sheriff Anthony DeMeo said one round penetrated the officer's bulletproof vest.
DeMeo was at the hospital with the deputy's family. He said the officer was on his second day on the job after returning from service in Afghanistan.
Authorities said the incident started as a domestic dispute between the gunman and a woman. The man followed the woman to the casino, where he drew a rifle from his vehicle and opened fire on deputies without warning, the Nye County Sheriff's Office said. The slain deputy was shot several times.
Another deputy returned fire, fatally wounding the gunman, authorities said.
Nye County officials weren't releasing names Monday night of anyone involved in the incident. Additional information was expected to be released Tuesday.
Pahrump is about 50 miles west of Las Vegas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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That's the second shooting at that RV park. Yikes.
Just read that, my prayers are with the family of the Deputy, also reporting guman killed at the scene and hes only been back on the streets for a week after a year overseas. What a sensless act!!
My sincere prayers for our fallen hero, and for all of his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.
I was a Cadet for the Nye County Sheriffs Office He will be missed by all. I worked with this Deputy and I remember all the laughs and conversations we had. I am deeply sadden by this and he did not deserve this in anyway.
I hope that all who hear or read of this tragedy appreciate and comprehend the value of all the Officers who have been lost.
I also hope with this comes the apprehension that this will unquestionably not be the last.
Support your Police . . .
My thoughts and prayers go out to all who mourn this Officer.
My thoughts are with the officer's family. Such a sad day.
Another sad day for Law Enforcement.
Such incidents used to be extremely rare.
dhvincent is absolutely right.
here's the weapon used on the officer;
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/thesks.h...
Why wasn't the bullet proof vest really bullet proof???
Environprotector asked a very good question. This should be investigated. A properly designed and built vest should have prevented this. Perhaps someone is trying to save some money by cutting down on the quality of the vests?
enviro/kash.... the vests DO NOT stop all rounds. There are varying degrees of vests, most with a shock plate panel in the center to help slow or stop a higher caliber round. MOST vests will not stop a rifle, but can buy the officer some time.
Also, it did not say where in the vest he was hit. If it was on the side, that is a very vunerable spot. Plus, it says he was hit several times... maybe the vest shot was NOT the vital hit.
As coppers, we understand the chances we take... as well as our loved ones. It's one that we accept and hope never happens.
My sympathy to the family, friends and others in this GREAT loss. GOD BLESS!!
Bullet proof vests are not really designed to stop a bullet from a rifle. They are intended to stop a bullet from a pistol.
Vests with "interceptor" plates made from ceramic can stop a rifle bullet but the ceramic only covers a small portion of the users torso.
btw, this is exactly why the Metro Officer shot the man holding a rifle the other day.
Where are the "citizens rights" goofballs today?
This is a very sad day for this Officers family and the enforcement community. Rest in Peace.
Police body armor does not stop high velocity, i.e. rifle rounds. It is designed to stop certain handgun rounds depending on the level of protection. The SKS rifle shoots a 7.62 mm, or .30 caliber round.
"Why wasn't the bullet proof vest really bullet proof???"
For the same reason waterproof watches aren't really waterproof. Bulletproof vests are really bullet resistant and waterproof watches are really only water resistant.
Most light body armor worn by cops will stop handgun rounds, but not rifle rounds. SWAT vests stop most rifle rounds (short of .50 BMG or so), but these are just too bulky to wear 40 hours a week (you can hardly sit down) and who wants cops dressed in SWAT armor walking around anyway?
Rest in Peace Officer
What a horrible thing to happen
I am so sorry to hear about this shooting. My heart goes out to his family, friends, co-workers and his military buddies.
Sad.
At least retribution was swift, not that it will bring much comfort.
Domestic dispute, heh? Typical...man with a gun? I could have been that woman, dead at the hands of my now X-husband. He held a shotgun to my face and threatened my life...then I ran to the phone & called 911 - while he was trying to get the phone away from me, I held it at arms length and screamed, "My husband has a gun and threatened to kill me!". Within minutes a helicopter was overhead and Metro responded. He went to jail, because there was evidence of a crime only because he had ripped my shirt. I'm lucky to be alive. SafeNest has been a godsend. Donate to SafeNest today. SafeNest deals with domestic violence & tries to make a difference. God bless that officer & his family. I believe we go to a much better place than this hell of a world we exist in today.
Bullet proof vest are good against certain types of rounds or cartridges that being fired....Depending on the load of the cartridge,,any weapon can do damage...
RIP Officer...I am retired Law Enforcement and also spent 10 years in the US Military and was fortunate to survive and retire with only a few cuts, bruises and other injuries...they should never call them bullet "proof" vest to begin with...they are at the best bullet resistant...as stated before..I always wore shock plates on both my chest and back which could (possibly) stop high speed bullets, though uncomfortable and very hot to wear I felt better with them on. Never the less heart felt loss to a good man and his family.
This is so sad. My husband is a deputy. My heart goes out to his family.