Sandoval, Lombardo honor fallen officers in ceremony in Carson City

CARSON CITY - Scores of law enforcement officers from around Nevada gathered on the Capitol grounds Thursday to pay respect to their fallen comrades, including Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo, ambushed and fatally wounded in June 2014 while they ate lunch.

The officers were ambushed by an anti-government couple, Jerad and Amanda Miller, who both died in a subsequent shootout in a Wal-Mart store.

The cold and cloudy day reflected the somber mood of the attendees, including Gov. Brian Sandoval, who gave remarks at the 18th Annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony.

The memorial now contains the names of 128 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, Sandoval said.

While each officer’s story is different, they all now “share the same immortal legacy,” he said.

Sandoval said the ceremony was an opportunity to reflect on where Nevadans would be without the bravery, determination and sacrifice of the law enforcement community.

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo spoke briefly about Beck, who was 41, and Soldo, who was 31, noting their commitment to the department and their families. He also said that the annual ceremony carries with it “tremendous meaning to me and my profession.”

The ceremony was held in conjunction with National Police Week. In 1998, the memorial was dedicated on the state Capitol grounds to recognize the ultimate sacrifice the fallen officers made in service of their communities.