Police officers, officials honored

Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie told stories Thursday that played out like Hollywood scripts.

An officer tries to resuscitate a teenager wounded by gunfire. An unconscious man is pulled from a burning car. Two toddlers who had been bound and gagged are rescued from a hot garage.

It's dangerous work, Gillespie said, and it's nothing like the movies.

"Hollywood likes to glamorize these things on TV," Gillespie said to a gathering of Metropolitan Police Department employees. "But the truth is, when you see it in real life, there is nothing glamorous about it."

Gillespie spoke during an awards ceremony held at the Clark County Library on East Flamingo Road near Maryland Parkway.

He recognized officers and a few high-ranking officials for exemplary work, sometimes in life or death situations, during the past year.

But not all the action involving Las Vegas police ended happily, the way things often do in Hollywood tales.

Officer Vernon Ferguson wanted a happy ending for 16-year-old Aric Brill. On Feb. 20, Ferguson responded to a 911 call about shots fired near Charleston and Nellis boulevards. Brill was attending a house party in the area.

Ferguson found Brill facedown on the pavement, Gillespie said. The teen had gravel in his mouth. Ferguson scooped the gravel out of Brill's mouth and began CPR.

Blood from a gunshot wound near Brill's cheek sprayed Ferguson like a geyser.

Gillespie said Ferguson stopped the bleeding by blocking the wound with his fingers. He continued CPR with his free hand for several minutes until medical personnel arrived.

Brill died a short time later. Gillespie said Ferguson's efforts helped save the teen's organs, which his family donated to save others in need.

Gillespie wasn't the only one appreciative of Ferguson's efforts.

Karen Brill, Aric's mother, attended the ceremony Thursday and hugged Ferguson after he received the meritorious service award.

She said she will never forget what Ferguson did for her late son.

"It was Aric's wish to have his organs donated," Brill said, adding that five gravely ill people received six of her son's organs in several Western states.

"He didn't stop for a second," Brill said of Ferguson. "And with all the blood that must have been everywhere, he still performed CPR."

Ferguson said Thursday was one of the "proudest days of his life."

He said his memories of Aric Brill are bittersweet because the teen didn't survive and an assailant has never been arrested.

But Ferguson is glad that the teen's donated organs saved lives and that Karen Brill has become a friend.

Gillespie also told a story about Sgt. Steve Custer. On May 1, the 37-year department veteran responded to a car crash near Rainbow Boulevard and Warm Springs Road. Gillespie said a motorist was knocked unconscious in the crash. Custer realized that and moved quickly toward the car.

Custer found the unconscious driver still had his foot on the gas pedal and was accelerating into the truck he had rear-ended. The car then caught fire.

Custer broke the passenger-side window because the doors were locked and dragged the man from the burning car.

"At the conclusion of the event, Sgt. Custer's shoes were melted from the fire and his pants were tattered from the flying debris of the shredded tires," Gillespie said.

Custer said the danger to himself never crossed his mind.

"I've been too far down the road," said Custer, 58. "If you're thinking about stuff like that, then you should be doing a different job."

Custer received a lifesaving award during the ceremony.

A third incident Gillespie shared involved two toddlers, two officers and an alert civilian.

On June 9, civilian Amanda Freeman called police when she heard cries from inside a storage garage at the Augusta Apartments on Spencer Street south of Pyle Avenue.

"When officers arrived, there were no longer any sounds coming from inside the garage, but Ms. Freeman was adamant that she heard children crying," Gillespie said.

Officers Curtis Lawrance and Steven Reese lifted the garage door and were met with a chilling sight. Two brothers, ages 1 and 2, were "bound, gagged, hooded and strapped into car seats on the garage floor," Gillespie said.

Reese and Lawrance freed the toddlers and quickly identified their mother and her boyfriend. Gillespie said the June heat could have killed the children.

Jonathan Weaver, the boyfriend who was 20, was arrested on several charges including child abuse, kidnapping and attempted murder.

Gillespie commended Freeman, who was awarded a life-saving award along with the responding officers.

Although dozens of police employees received awards Thursday, Gillespie said he appreciates the sacrifices that anyone who is employed by his department makes.

"Your hard work is noticed and is appreciated by me, the department and the community you serve," Gillespie said. "I believe wholeheartedly that Metro has the finest employees in law enforcement."

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.