LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A community came together on Friday to honor Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officer Austin Abdelnabi, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this week.
Police officers, loved ones, and community members gathered for an emotional candlelight vigil to remember the life and legacy of the fallen officer. Abdelnabi was shot and killed in what police described as an ambush attack moments after arriving on the scene of a call regarding an armed, erratic suspect under the influence.
“So when we lose a brother or a sister, it’s so difficult within the agency,” said Steve Grammas, president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association. “It’s a reminder of how dangerous this job truly is and not to take things for granted.”
For Abdelnabi’s surviving family—including his mother, siblings, and wife—as well as the entire Metro Police department, the sudden loss has brought a heavy, unimaginable weight. But leaders say they are making sure the family does not walk this path alone.
BEHIND THE BADGE: Candlelight vigil planned Friday for fallen LVMPD officer Austin Abdelnabi
“Yeah, basically we were with them at the hospital and prayed with her, talked to her about the grieving process,” said Dean Sanner, the lead police chaplain with Metro Police.
Those who knew Abdelnabi say he understood the risks of the job but chose to step forward anyway. Prior to joining Metro Police in 2023, Abdelnabi served as a U.S. Marine in Japan and Africa, earning multiple service medals.
“And I realize, wow, their jobs are 100 times tougher than I thought,” Sanner said. “And I had no idea what they deal with. People trying to ambush them and all kinds of crazy things out there.”
The tragedy has resonated deeply across the entire local law enforcement community, prompting a wave of support from both within the department and from the public.
“It’s a ripple effect,” Grammas said. “Even if you didn’t know him… you knew him… because we all share the same uniform, we are in the same mission.”
The Injured Police Officers Fund (IPOF) is actively working to support Officer Abdelnabi’s family and other members of the law enforcement community during this time. If you would like to help support their mission, you can contact them directly.
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