Fallen Las Vegas police officer remembered at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON – Flags flew at half-staff Thursday at the U.S. Capitol for a memorial service honoring more than 100 peace officers who died in the line of duty in 2013, including Las Vegas police officer David Vanbuskirk.

Vice President Joe Biden delivered keynote remarks to the crowd that included mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children of the fallen as well as hundreds of officers from across the nation there in support.

Biden thanked the families for the sacrifice made by their loved ones to protect their communities.

“We owe you,” he said.

Vanbuskirk, 36, of Henderson, was a veteran member of the department’s search and rescue team. On July 22, 2013, he fell to his death during a helicopter rescue of a stranded hiker on Mount Charleston. The hiker survived.

Vanbuskirk’s name was also added this week to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

In 1962, a Congressional resolution was approved authorizing and requesting President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a law requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on this day as a tribute to the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The law directs flags be flown at half-staff at public buildings and private residences on Peace Officer Memorial Day.