Las Vegas NowFallen Metro Officer Being Remembered as Wonderful Man

Fallen Metro Officer Being Remembered as Wonderful Man

LAS VEGAS, Nv -- A Las Vegas police officer is dead and his partner is in critical condition following an accident Wednesday night.

Officer Milburn "Millie" Beitel III died Thursday morning after undergoing emergency surgery at University Medical Center. The 30-year-old officer had been on the force for six years. He attended Silverado High School and went on to the Marines before joining Metro.

"He was such a nice, nice young man," said Madeline Adler, Beitel's neighbor.

Beitel's parents, who live out of state, made their way to Las Vegas after getting the devastating news. Beitel also has a younger brother, who is a Marine and believed to be serving overseas.

"He was just an awesome person, always out and about doing the right thing," said Byran McWhorter, Beitel's childhood friend. He said Beitel always put other people first. 

Beitel's partner, which Metro has not identified, is 25-years-old and has been on the force for three years. He remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

SLIDESHOW: Images from the accident scene and hospital.

After learning of the deadly accident, fellow officers made their way to UMC, including Sheriff Doug Gillespie. He told reporters that he watched as doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to save Beitel's life. Several times during a news conference, Gillespie teared up.

"When one of them is taken from us under tragic circumstances, like this. I think you can see how impactful it is to our organization and our community," Gillespie said.

He says the fatal unit is still gathering evidence that will include the speed at which the patrol car was traveling prior to the accident and what caused the car or driver to lose control. Eyewitnesses told police that the car was traveling along Nellis Blvd. when the officer fish-tailed, lost control, and hit a pole just past the Washington Ave. intersection. The car flipped over and landed on its roof.

"Thanks to the citizens who are out there that saw the accident that stopped to render aid to our officers," Gillespie said.

The officers were in the same patrol car because they were part of a saturation patrol that works high crime areas. The officers were just off of a call where they had checked out a strange chemical smell.