The Fallen Officer:
Trooper Alberto Felix, 54, and Sergeant Michael Abbate, 37, were struck and killed by an impaired driver off Interstate 15 near D Street in Las Vegas. Both had stopped to check on a driver who appeared to be sleeping in his car. Another vehicle struck them and fled the scene. One officer died at the scene and the other at the hospital. The subject was apprehended six hours later.
The Circumstance:
Felix, who became a trooper at age 50 after serving in the Air Force, was killed along with his partner Sgt. Michael Abbate, 37, early on Nov. 30 after they stopped to help a parked motorist on the side of Interstate 15 near D Street and a man drove into both of them and fled the scene.
Hours later, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Jemarcus Williams, 46, who is charged 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.
George Togliatti, director of the state Department of Public Safety, which oversees the state police,
said that Felix’s “final act of courage serves as a reminder to our law enforcement brothers and sisters that we will always stand in harm’s way to protect others.”
Trooper Martin Moran recalled meeting Felix when they were both cadets in 2019 and Felix had only recently ended his Air Force career.
“Many of us having little to no law enforcement or military experience had no clue what we were in for,” Moran said. “But Alberto did. Like an old school father he would patiently and quietly watch as many of us would fumble, only to ever so gently push us in the right direction, but at the same time letting us figure out the issue for ourselves.
“He was a selfless and humble leader who many of us came to admire and even became unofficial children of,” Moran said.
Mission Accomplished:
Upon hearing about the horrific tragedy of Trooper Alberto Felix and Sgt Michael Abbate, Give Blue Hope reached out to the Nevada Department of Public Safety. After speaking with the Nevada Department of Safety spokesperson, and getting information regarding the incident, Give Blue Hope was able to provide a charitable gift of money to the wife and family of Trooper Alberto Felix.
Rest in peace, Trooper Felix, your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Give Blue Hope is a 501c3 Tax Exempt Non-Profit
IRS Tax ID #92-1886839