LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Two LVMPD 911 dispatchers received Good Ticket awards for their composure and heroic teamwork during a high-speed chase through the Las Vegas valley that stemmed from the murder of a former Nevada state senator’s son in March.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department 911 dispatchers Alicia Rivera and Kacey Rafferty were presented with the Good Ticket award, which honors staff who demonstrate compassion and courage, Wednesday for their professionalism and composure while fielding calls that night.
On March 27, Rafferty and Rivera were on duty when multiple 911 calls began flooding in about a suspect wanted for a deadly shooting at a North Las Vegas casino. The suspect, identified as Aerion Warmsley, 19, allegedly shot and killed Na’onche Osborne, 23, the son of former Nevada State Sen. Pat Spearman, inside the Aliante Casino and Hotel, police said after his arrest.
Warmsley then went on a crime spree across the Las Vegas valley and was involved in three armed carjackings, reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour, struck a bus stop and injured two innocent bystanders, police said. One of those drivers he carjacked tracked him because her phone was in the stolen car.
“Usually, pursuits are very quick but going from carjacking to carjacking you just can’t explain what you are doing. At the time you’re just running on autopilot,” Rafferty said.
With over 19 years of experience between the duo, Rafferty and Rivera said they are the voice behind the badge. Despite the chaos on that day Rafferty and Rivera remained calm, provided real-time updates and relayed critical information to responding officers.
In tense moments like these, Rivera said the first thing that comes to mind is her family.
“What if my mom and her husband were out and about and something like this came along their way? What about my brother and his family? I try and put myself in that position and have empathy,” Rivera said.
Rafferty and Rivera were awarded a two-night stay at Resorts World Las Vegas, a $500 food and beverage credit and two tickets to the show of their choice.
Recently two officers from LVMPD’s Northwest Area Command were given Good Ticket awards for taking the initiative to pay for a tow truck to help a man in need.
Warmsley faces a total of 28 counts including murder, robbery, battery, burglary, kidnapping, child abuse/neglect, reckless driving, failure to stop at the scene of a crash, and discharging a firearm inside a building.
