KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasNevada Officers Arrive Home From Gulf Coast
More than 100 Nevada law enforcement officers are back home Tuesday night. They spent nearly two weeks in southern Mississippi helping keep the peace. Eyewitness News 8 reporter Atle Erlingsson was there, as friends and family welcomed the officers home.
Nearly every police department in Southern Nevada was represented in this convoy. Although the officers were paid for their work they all volunteered for the mission. Eyewitness News showed you their efforts in Mississippi first hand.
At the Nevada Highway Patrol headquarters more than 30 troopers are glad to be home. Trooper Dave Dudley said, "The experience is humbling. That's the best word for it. Never seen such tragedies and I hope I never see something like this again."
Over at the Fiesta hotel in Henderson, Skywitness 8 captured dozens of other officers arriving to hugs and smiles. Every officer has a great story to tell and will always have memories from their trip. But one officer brought back a piece of Mississippi with him.
Deputy Marshal Brent Carlin, with the City of Las Vegas, said, "Katrina, appropriately. Yeah, we decided to name her Katrina." Deputy Marshal Carlin found the puppy in an abandoned home.
Highway Patrol Lieutenant Steve Cabralas held something of his own -- a new grandson born while he was away. "I had the night patrol. At two o'clock there time, midnight here, I got a phone call and they said, "Listen." and I got to hear him cry I was told that my grandson was here."
Although happy to be home, many of these officers would gladly go back. Officer Kim Wadsworth, with North Las Vegas Police, said, "Fabulous experience. I'd do it all over again."
Most of the officers will take a few days off to rest and relax before heading back to work.
Depending on the damage from Hurricane Rita, it is possible Nevada law enforcement could be called again in the days and weeks to come.
