Hundreds remember slain Carson City sheriff’s deputy

CARSON CITY — A sheriff's deputy was shot and killed early Saturday while responding to a domestic battery report on the east side of Carson City. The suspected shooter also died.

It was the first death of a Carson City police officer in the line of duty by an attacker since 1867.

The officer, identified as Carl Howell of Stagecoach, leaves a wife and four children. The shooter's name's wasn't immediately released.

Hundreds of local residents lit candles and stood quietly at an impromptu vigil for the slain officer at the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on the Capitol grounds.

The family of the slain officer, including his children, sat in front of the memorial during the brief service that included numerous uniform officers from different agencies.

The mood was somber in the hot evening. Tears were shed by some but otherwise it was quiet, except for when the bagpipe player performed.

An officer speaking at the vigil said: "We will never get over the loss of Carl."

Kevin Howell, the father of the slain officer, said his only comment was to quote his son, who told his father on his last birthday that if he could achieve even one-quarter of what his dad achieved in his lifetime of public service he would be lucky.

"He soared way above that today," Howell said.

Sheriff Ken Furlong, in a statement, said deputies responded to a report of a domestic battery involving physical injury in the 4100 block of Montez Drive in east Carson City at 2:18 a.m.

"As officers arrived at the scene, they reported physical injury to the female," Furlong said. "Within minutes, the male suspect came out of the house and opened fire on the officers, killing one. Additional units arrived in the area and secured the residence, evacuating three children (ages 8-13) and one adult. The suspect was located dead at the scene."

The Sheriff's Office is expected to release more details Sunday.

It has turned the investigation over to the Reno Police Department.

At the vigil, Furlong said he recalled the day in 2006 when Howell came into the department and said he wanted to help. The officer told Furlong: "I know it is a risk. It is a risk I take freely."

There has not been a Carson City sheriff's officer killed in the line of duty since Sheriff Timothy Smith was shot in 1867.

The agency reports four total law enforcement deaths in the line of duty, the last being Deputy Sheriff Daniel McDaniel in 1963 as a result of an auto accident, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell said in a statement that the flags at City Hall and other facilities have been set to half-staff in honor of the fallen officer. The city has also put into motion a crisis response team to help all those involved and provide financial help to the officer's family.

"I just learned that the officer was the son of one my Vietnam Veteran Chapter 388 members," Crowell said.

"The heart of our community goes out to the family of the slain officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier this morning," he said. "It is a reminder of the dangers that our first responders go through each and every day while keeping us safe."

In a statement, Gov. Brian Sandoval said: "The Nevada family lost one of its finest public servants today. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the untimely death of a Carson City Sheriff's Deputy, and pray for strength and peace for his family and fellow officers during this time of tragedy."

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801