Procession carries body of slain Nevada trooper past downtown Las Vegas
A law enforcement procession carried the body of slain Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Micah May past downtown Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon.
Trooper May died Thursday, two days after he was struck by a stolen car during a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 15.
On Sunday, first responders from agencies across the valley as well as community members looked on as May’s body was taken from the Clark County coroner’s office to the Palm mortuary downtown, located at 1325 N. Main St.
Troopers could be seen saluting the procession Sunday afternoon as it pulled into the mortuary from Main Street.
The Sunday procession followed a shorter procession on Saturday, when May’s body was carried from University Medical Center to the coroner’s office.
May was 46. The married father of two and 13-year Highway Patrol veteran was deploying stop sticks when he was hit Tuesday. The stop sticks were meant to pierce the tires of the stolen vehicle that authorities were pursuing.
After impact, troopers were able to stop the stolen car. Law enforcement then opened fire at the scene, near the Sahara Avenue exit, Highway Patrol has said. The carjacking suspect died at the scene.
The coroner’s office later identified him as Douglas Claiborne, 60. He died of gunshot wounds to the head and torso. His death was ruled a homicide. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the Highway Patrol shooting.
May was airlifted from the scene to University Medical Center in critical condition. He remained there until his death Thursday night.
In the coming days, Highway Patrol plans to park May’s patrol vehicle at Police Memorial Park, located at 3250 Metro Academy Way in northwest Las Vegas, so the public can visit and pay respects.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the park.
According to data maintained by the FBI, May was the second Nevada trooper to die in the line of duty in nearly three decades. He was the 12th Nevada trooper to die in recorded history.
On March 27, 2020, Highway Patrol Sgt. Ben Jenkins was fatally shot on U.S. Highway 93 after Jenkins pulled over to assist a driver. John Dabritz, a resident of Ruth, Nevada, is charged with murder, third-degree arson, grand larceny of a motor vehicle and grand larceny of a firearm in connection with the death.
Contact Jonah Dylan at jdylan@reviewjournal.com. Follow @TheJonahDylan on Twitter.
