LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department held a ceremony Wednesday honoring officers and community members for acts of courage, life-saving interventions, and solving major crimes.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill presided over the event, which recognized officers who went beyond routine duties to protect residents across the valley.
“And all these cops are gonna just tell you they’re just doing their job. And I get that, but we also have the opportunity to recognize excellence when we see it,” McMahill said.
Officer performs Heimlich on driver
Officer Demetrio Chavez was honored after spotting a vehicle behaving unusually during a shift. When he approached, he found the driver unable to breathe.
“The first thing I realized was something wasn’t right, because the way her car was positioned, no normal person drives like that. When I got closer, I noticed something was wrong,” Chavez said.
Chavez pulled the woman from her car and performed the Heimlich maneuver. The woman survived and later told her sister the officer “saved my life.”
Chavez said the recognition prompted him to think of colleagues who go unnoticed.
“I think about all the officers that aren’t here today that do something great every single day. They might not be recognized, but they know who they are, and I praise them for everything that they do as well,” he said.
Officer revives infant
Officer Torrey DeFauw was writing a routine report when a call came over the radio about an infant who had stopped breathing. DeFauw was the first to arrive on scene.
“Stay calm. You know, because if I’m not calm, she’s not going to be calm. And I think that was the biggest thing,” DeFauw said.
DeFauw patted the baby’s back, blew gently on his face, and kept him alert until medics arrived. A father himself, DeFauw said the experience was grounding.
“I did what every dad would do. So, that was, it’s humbling, you know, to see the effect we have on people,” he said.
Wednesday’s event was the third such ceremony held this year. Metro typically hosts the recognition events quarterly, following a nomination process.
Sheriff McMahill said he is committed to continuing the ceremonies at Metro headquarters.
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