Vigil at Allegiant Stadium for troopers rescheduled for Thursday
A candlelight vigil planned for Wednesday night at Allegiant Stadium to honor fallen Nevada Highway Patrol troopers Michael Abbate and Alberto Felix has been rescheduled for Thursday.
The delay was announced Wednesday afternoon because of the shooting at UNLV, according to event organizers, the Injured Police Officers Fund.
The candlelight vigil will be at Lot E at Allegiant Stadium from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. People should enter at Lot F, just north of Lot E.
“This has truly been a challenging week for the entire Las Vegas community,” IPOF president & lieutenant Chelsea Stuenkel said. “The candlelight vigil will provide an opportunity to come together and express gratitude to not only the men and women of the Nevada State Police but all first responders in the valley. These heroes demonstrate exceptional courage in the line of duty, often facing challenging and dangerous situations to ensure the safety and security of our communities”.
On Nov. 30 around 3:25 a.m., Abbate and Felix stopped to check on a driver who appeared to be asleep at the wheel on Interstate 15, near D Street when a vehicle struck them and fled.
Police have accused Jemarcus Williams, 46, of striking the troopers and fleeing the scene. Police arrested Williams later that day, near J Street and Monroe Avenue.
The Clark County district attorney’s office charged Williams with two counts each of DUI, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, reckless driving resulting in death, and misdemeanor counts of speeding, failing to properly approach a traffic incident and failing to decrease speed.
Abbate, 37, joined the department in 2013 and was promoted to sergeant in November. Felix, 54, had been with the Highway Patrol since 2019 after serving in the Air Force.
The vigil is being organized by the Injured Police Officers Fund and is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in Lot E.
Memorial services for the troopers have been scheduled for Friday and Monday, both at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church, near Russell Road and New Beginnings Drive, in Henderson.
The services for trooper Alberto Felix, who was 54, will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church in Henderson.
Services for Sgt. Michael Abbate, who was 37, will be held on Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m., also at Central Church.
Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com.
