Residents honored for actions in assisting wounded police officer

When Miles Farlow and Michael Gutierrez stopped on a busy highway to assist a North Las Vegas motorcycle officer struck by a hit-and-run motorist, they didn’t think twice about their actions.

It was a matter of human nature, they both said, but that didn’t stop their deeds from going unnoticed.

“The actions of these young men are admirable,” said North Las Vegas Police Chief Joseph Chronister. “They put their own life in peril to save another.”

The city of North Las Vegas thanked the men during a meeting March 4 for courageously assisting in a situation of extreme peril involving North Las Vegas police Sgt. Terry McAllister.

It was the first time that McAllister had met the men.

“I’m praising God that I finally had the chance to meet them,” McAllister said. “The last thing that I remember is the vehicle coming over. I’m forever grateful for their actions.”

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Washington Avenue off-ramp from Interstate 15.

The officer was traveling southbound on I-15 when a driver hit his motorcycle and fled the scene.

It was then that KCEP FM 99 radio personality and Summerlin resident Farlow witnessed the car in front of him hit the tire of the police officer, causing him to flip off his bike.

“After his bike flipped, he went flying about 90 feet, and I saw him hit his head on the road,” Farlow said. “I immediately pulled over and called 911. I saw his eyes roll back, and he started shaking. A few of us tried to calm him down.”

North Las Vegas resident Gutierrez and his girlfriend also stopped to help.

“My girlfriend said that she saw someone laying on the ground compulsive,” Gutierrez said. “I got out and saw that he was in a state of shock. I’m a strong man of faith, so I held his hand and began to pray.”

McAllister, an 18-year veteran of the department, sustained multiple injuries, including a concussion, a lung contusion and multiple fractures to his left shoulder.

“Being a cop has made me somewhat cynical,” McAllister said. “But these two give me hope (in humanity).”

He said he is still undergoing surgery and physical therapy, but his doctor is optimistic that he will make a full recovery.

In honor of their bravery and as part of My Brother’s Keeper initiative, Nevada Partners plans to hold a ceremony for the local heroes.

Dr. Tiffany Tyler, chief operations officer at Nevada Partners, said she wants to promote promote positive images of young men of color doing the right thing.

“It’s breaking the stereotype in a way,” Farlow said. “It’s ironic because on that night I was wearing a hoodie and driving my mom’s BMW. Maybe my action will show that not everyone is a gangster and not every police officer is bloodthirsty.”

Police are still looking for the driver of the car that fled the scene.

“I didn’t take a bullet, but I did the best that I could do,” Farlow said. “I know I’m not a hero. It’s called doing the right thing.”

Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.