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**U.S. Department of Justice**        Office of Community Oriented Policing Services            145 N Street, N.E.       Washington, DC 20530      www.cops.usdoj.gov×         Menu         - Home
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**Honor and Courage: Responding to Tragedy**
  November 2018 | Volume 11 | Issue 11

Las Vegas, Nevada police officers are accustomed to working  in dynamic environments, which sometimes include the glamour of the Vegas  Strip. We train and prepare for types of scenarios that most would never consider,  ensuring the safety and enjoyment of millions of tourists who visit our city  every year. On most shifts however, we simply execute the fundamentals of  finding and doing good police work. Seasoned officers in our organization pride  ourselves on having sharp problem-solving skills, discretion to deploy as  necessary, and a willingness to be accountable for our actions. We go find  work. We do our job.

On October 1, 2017, a lone gunman fired into a crowd of  22,000 concertgoers attending a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58  people and injuring more than 850. Officers Jeremiah Beason, Monty Fetherston,  Steve Morris, Jr., and I were among the first to respond to this tragedy. We  moved to action.

Nearly every officer present or who responded to the  tragic event on October 1, 2017, did their job as they had been trained. Most  performed exceptionally well despite fear and uncertainty. Some officers under  the raining bullets assisted the shocked, rescued the injured, and cared for  the dead. They deserve honor for what they gave to others that night, and our  grace for the burdens they took away to carry for the rest of their days. One  officer lost his life courageously doing his job despite being among the  targets. He is a heroic warrior gone too soon. Many others protected our community  partners caring for the innocent and secured their posts with watchful eyes.

Some of us led teams and deployed, running toward the  source, wanting nothing more than to stop the evil. No better, faster,  straighter route was available to stop a murderer with his own deadline. In the  end, others tasked with cleaning up and finding answers served the quest better.  We set our intent to find work: unexceptional, fundamental, worthy work. We did  our jobs. For that, I am humbly accountable.

Patrick C. Burke, Police Officer	      Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

Edited by Nazmia Comrie, Senior Program Specialist	      COPS Office

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**Read more of the November Dispatch**
- Director’s Corner: Recognizing Law Enforcement Excellence
- Profiles of Distinguished Law Enforcement
- Honor and Courage: Responding to Tragedy
- Leading by Example: Building Relationships with Youth
- COPS Office Increases Tribal Access to Critical Crime Information with $1.5 Million in Support
- New Publications from the COPS Office
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The Community Policing Dispatch is the e-newsletter of the COPS Office. 

The Community Policing Dispatch is the e-newsletter of the COPS Office. 

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