North Las Vegas police and students at Raul P. Elizondo Elementary School are honoring a fallen hero Wednesday.
Officer Raul Elizondo of NLVPD was shot and killed in the line of duty back in 1995.
For the last 20 years, the North Las Vegas Police Department has been keeping Raul Elizondo's spirit alive at the school named after the fallen hero.
Police officers across Southern Nevada and local officials are joining NLVPD and students in a day long ceremony including a parade and K-9 demonstrations. Students will also hear stories about Elizondo and what it means to be a police officer.
"We still remember the kind of officer he was but my whole time through field training and working here you just hear stories of what he did in his short time with us."
27 years ago today, Raul Elizondo became a North Las Vegas police officer. He was known to be one of the best officers in the department.
"In 1992 he was hired and in 1994 he was awarded officer of the year which is unheard of really. Two years on."
He only served two and a half years before being fatally shot in the line of duty. In the years following, fellow police officers and students have spent a day each year to honor his service with special speeches and demonstrations. They're taught Elizondo was a hero and officers put their lives in the line for us every day.
Principal Chris Stacey appreciates that. After all, Elizondo was once a student at the district himself.
"He did many things to help support students and the bulldogs. He had a love of learning and a love of life."
"His legacy will never die."
