LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas police officer killed in the line of duty two weeks ago was laid to rest Friday in an emotional ceremony. Metro Officer Truong Thai was killed in a shooting on Oct. 13 after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department had a funeral procession for the 49-year-old officer who had been with the department since 1999. The procession traveled across the valley and along the Las Vegas Strip, past marquees featuring Thai’s photo, to the Central Christian Church in Henderson.
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Officer Truong’s casket is taken into the church. (KLAS) 
Officer Truong’s casket is taken into the church. (KLAS) 
Officer Thai’s brother thanks Metro and the Las Vegas community. (KLAS) 
Janet Thai, Officer Thai’s niece, said her uncle inspired her to be a marine. (KLAS) 
LVMPD Officer Carlos Carreon said Officer Truong wanted to make a difference. (KLAS) 
Officer Greg Hilton asked “What would Thai want us to do?” (KLAS) 
Funeral of LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS) 
Funeral of LVMPD Officer Truong Thai. (KLAS)
Fellow officers spoke at the funeral and talked about Thai’s passion for being a police officer and taking new officers under his wing.
“First he was not afraid to get his hands dirty, second he enjoyed mentoring and helping young officers, and third he was a great friend,” said Metro Officer Carlos Carreon.
Thai, who came to the United States from Vietnam as a small child, always wanted to be a police officer. He was described as a man who believed in family, duty, and honor and who loved to coach his daughter’s volleyball team, go fishing and spend time with his daughter.
He also leaves behind a father, ex-wife, siblings, and other family members.
His niece Janet Thai said it was he who encouraged her to take the Metro Explorer program and join the ROTC. She said it put her on the path to joining the U.S. Marines and ending up in law enforcement.
“He had a way of assuring you when you doubted yourself,” she said.
Thai’s younger brother, a firefighter, said his older sibling never sought fame or fortune.
“To him, it was service, pride, honor, and integrity. That was much more meaningful to him,” T. Thai said.
Governor Steve Sisolak has ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset in honor of Officer Thai.
