Local Resident Recognized For Heroic Act

By VERNON ROBISON

Moapa Valley Progress

A Moapa Valley resident was recognized in a special ceremony last week for acts of bravery and citizenship.

Local resident Luke Minogue, a Major in the US Army Reserves, was presented with a special letter of commendation from the Metropolitan Police Department at the Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Presenting the letter was Lieutenant Jeff Stuart of the Metro Northeast Area Command and Officer Nate Bradford of the Overton Resident Section.
The commendation was given in connection with an incident which occurred on the evening of June 8, 2018 at the Logandale/Overton overpass of Interstate 15.

At that time, Minogue was travelling home, taking the Logandale/Overton exit. As he did so, he said that he noticed a woman sitting on the ledge of the overpass.
“I could see that something was not right about it,” Minogue related in an interview after the presentation. “She was sitting on the edge and the traffic was slowing a little, noticing her on the bridge. She had her back to the traffic and was focused on what was below her. It just was obvious that it was not a good situation.”

Minogue stopped and called the police. Then knowing that Metro was on its way, he went and engaged in a conversation with the woman, trying to build a rapport with her to calm her down.
“I knew that the police were on the way so I just wanted to delay her and get her talking about something else,” Minogue said.

Bradford read the letter of commendation which had come from the desk of Sheriff Joe Lombardo and which was signed by Captain Nichole Splinter of Northeast Area Command.
“Even after the arrival of a police officer, you continued your efforts in saving her life by persuading her to come down to safety,” Bradford read.

“The Sheriff and members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department truly appreciate your actions during this dynamic and life-threatening incident which presumably saved a life,” the letter continued.

Lieutenant Stuart congratulated Minogue and thanked him for his action. “This was a very heroic thing that you did,” Stuart said. “If not for citizens like you working with the police, we wouldn’t get anything done. Thank you from the Metro Police Department!”