KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasOfficers Reflect on Sgt. Prendes' Life

Officers Reflect on Sgt. Prendes' Life

Officers and others in Las Vegas who knew Sergeant Henry Prendes are reflecting on his life. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. Eyewitness News talked with officers who knew him.

The work for Sgt. Tom Wagner in Metro's Missing Persons unit never stops. His office receives 35 missing persons reports a day. Thursday he was working to find Saul Palatto, a 17-year-old who disappeared from home Wednesday night. Wagner's focus is with Saul even though his thoughts are with his murdered friend Sgt. Henry Prendes.

Sgt. Wagner said, "It's a tough job and we know that when we put the badge on. More importantly we have to think of the victims and the other reports that have come in since then."

Wagner knows Prendes' wife and two daughters. He helped train Prendes 14 years ago and then Wagner worked along side him when they were detectives and more recently as detective sergeants. "Worked side by side. He was a sergeant also. Just a dynamic father and avid golfer. Just a good man," Wagner said. Wagner attended the same church as Prendes. He will be at the memorial service for him.

Metro Detective Todd Rosenberg said, "We have had a lot of people calling us and asking us where they can donate money. What they can do. How they can help the police department out. What they can do for the officer's family."

Det. Rosenberg works for Metro, but also runs the Injured Police Officers Fund. Several years ago he worked along side Prendes. "I know myself at my dinner table last night we talked about it. It's a stark reminder of what can occur as a police officer."

He set up a memorial fund with Wells Fargo bank for the slain officer. "All of the money collected will be given directly to the Prendes family," Rosenberg said.

What's remarkable is both Wagner and Rosenberg immediately knew the name of the last officer slain in the line of duty 18 years ago. Sgt. Tom Wagner said, "Marc Kahre."

It's information every officer remembers as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice to protect the community. "It's a brotherhood. It's a sisterhood," Sgt. Wagner said.

If you would like to donate to the family of the slain officers, go to any Wells Fargo bank and ask to give to the memorial fund for Sergeant Henry Prendes.

Services for Sergeant Henry Prendes will be Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 11a.m. They will be held at the Central Christian Church at Russell and US-95. A graveside service will follow at Palm Mortuary on Eastern.

Email reporter Edward Lawrence at elawrence@klastv.com