The Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial in Carson City has every name of every officer killed on duty since 1861. However, over the last 20 years, only three officers were killed by gunfire in Northern Nevada. Saturday's death of Deputy Carl Howell was the fourth.
"If you were to look up the term 'police officer,' that would be Larry Johnson," said retired Ct. Bob Cowman with the Sparks Police Department in May of 1995. It was May 22, 1995 when Sparks Officer Larry Johnson was shot and killed as he chased a man who robbed a bar.
"He had a very outgoing, friendly personality," said Cowman.
Johnson left behind an 18-year-old daughter, and a 10-year-old son.
The family of University of Nevada Sgt. George Sullivan experienced the same thing after his January 1998 death.
"They're experiencing the deepest of tragedies that could happen," said family friend Jim Haggarty.
Sullivan was on patrol when he was killed by a man who just wanted to kill an officer.
"We used to tease George because every time one of his kids would get sick, he'd call in sick with his kids," remembered Officer Steve Sauter.
It's hard to forget the shooting death of Reno Police Officer John Bohach in August 2001. He was killed by Larry Peck, following a traffic stop. Bohach had been with the department for 13 years.
Right before his death, Channel 2 interviewed Bohach about gun safety
"It's important to realize what a firearm is capable of doing," said Bohach. "In a mere split second, it's capable of ending somebody's life."
Howell was killed Saturday morning while on a domestic violence call in East Carson City. When officers arrived, they found a female with injuries. Howell went to make contact with the shooter, since identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Pope, who appeared to be armed with a firearm. The two exchanged gunfire and both men were struck. Howell was taken to the hospital, Carson-Tahoe Health where he later died. Pope died on the scene.
Funeral services are scheduled for this Thursday at 11 a.m. at Reno Events Center.
The Carson City Deputy Sheriff’s Association has established a memorial fund at Heritage Bank of Nevada. Just ask for the “Carl Howell Memorial Fund” or account # 2000012522.
An Elko County deputy died in 2012, after suffering a gunshot wound 30 years earlier while responding to a traffic accident near Jackpot.
Several other officers have died by gunfire in Las Vegas and in Nye County.
