4 officers get TOP COPS honor

Four Metropolitan Police Department officers received national awards Sept. 11 for their search and rescue work during last year's flooding that ravaged northwest Las Vegas.

Sergeant Rick Servoss and officers Gary Casper, Clint Malburg and Jim Mitchell -- all members of Las Vegas' search and rescue team -- were selected for the National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS awards that pay tribute to law enforcement personnel who give outstanding service to their communities.

The officers flew to Washington, D.C., for a presentation ceremony.

"It's quite prestigious," Servoss said. "Only 10 (of the awards) are given in the United States each year. You have to be nominated by someone in your department. It's very nice to be honored like that."

Servoss piloted a rescue helicopter during the 100-year storm that hit the northwest end of the Las Vegas Valley the afternoon of Aug. 19, 2003, causing severe flash floods that swamped houses, blocked roads and stranded trapped drivers in their vehicles as they were carried away by swift-moving waters.

Officers Casper and Mitchell maneuvered Malburg, suspended from a cable, through 60 mph winds, electrical wires and light poles to rescue people who were trapped on top of their vehicles.

"It was a team effort," Servoss said. "We all trained together. There were four of us up there that day, and it took all of us."

Police search and rescue workers saved seven people within a matter of hours during the flooding, including four Las Vegas Fire Department firefighters. In February, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young also presented Servoss, Casper, Malburg and Mitchell with commendations for their rescue work during the floods.


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