Dinner aids Injured Police Officers Fund

More than 600 guests attended the Injured Police Officers Fund's anniversary dinner June 29 at Palace Station's Grand ballroom.

The IPOF was formed in 1982 to help reduce the financial burden suffered by police officers and their families in the event of a line-of-duty injury or death.

The organization's first fundraiser, "A Night Out with the Stars," was hosted by then-Sheriff John Moran and his wife, Goldie Moran. All of the funds raised that night were donated to Metropolitan Police Department motor officer James MacLaren, who was shot during a traffic stop and survived his injuries but had to take a medical retirement. Along with aiding MacLaren and his family, the event gave birth to the IPOF.

Guests at this year's event enjoyed a reception before the dinner and program.

Numerous businesses and individuals donated funds to defray the event's cost.

Seen among the dignitaries were Justice Michael Cherry; Judges Bill Kephart, Conrad Hafen, Ann Zimmerman, Donald Mosley and Cynthia Dianne Steel; Las Vegas City Manager Betsy Fretwell; Las Vegas Councilmen Steve Ross and Stavros Anthony; and Henderson City Councilwoman Gerri Schroder.

Masters of ceremonies were IPOF President and Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Alan Davidson, IPOF executive assistant Minddie Lloyd, attorney John Parris and Lori Andall.

The evening's special honorees were Sheriff Doug Gillespie and former sheriffs Bill Young, Jerry Keller, John McCarthy, Ralph Lamb and John Moran (deceased), represented by his son, John Moran Jr.

Special recognition was given to University of Nevada, Las Vegas Police Chief Armando Elique, Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers, North Las Vegas Police Chief Joseph Forte, Clark County School District Police Chief Filiberto Arroyo, Boulder City Police Chief Thomas W. Finn, Mesquite Police Chief Douglas Law, Las Vegas Detention and Enforcement Chief Karen Coyne, Deputy City Marshal Lt. Jack Manning and Clark County Park Police Cmdr. Roy Michaels.

Fallen heroes were featured in a video.

Entertainment was provided by Mistinguett Productions and Showgirls Follies; Elvis impersonator Trent Carlini from the Las Vegas Hilton, vocalist Lani Misalucha and pianist Ryan Ahern from Planet Holllywood.

Guests in attendance were Dale Carrison, Brad Friedmutter, Craig Johnson, Becky Binion, Trish Davidson, Ron Futrell, Angela Holland, Dana Walker, Marlene Luna, Frank Sweeney, Mary Olive Devlin, John Harper, Eileen Carson, Nancy Ischo, Sandy Heverly, Kelly Richter, Sgt. Erik Lloyd, and Sgt. Jim Stelk.