LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The 11th annual STOP DUI Heroes & Handcuffs Ceremony took place Sunday at LVMPD Headquarters where families of lost loved ones gathered to reflect and honor law enforcement in their efforts to stop drunk drivers.
A total of 10 officers from seven different police agencies across Nevada were honored. Collectively they made 427 DUI arrests in 2024. They received special STOP DUI handcuffs engraved with the name of a fatal DUI victim.
Even more special, family members of those victims were there to present the handcuffs to the officers.
“It means so much to the victims to know that their loved one’s name is actually going to be out there in use by these police officers using these handcuffs,” said Sandy Heverly who led Sunday’s ceremony.
Arleen Alarcon and her family made the drive from California to honor her son, Isaiah Tecpa, who was hit and killed by a drunk driver in 2023.
“It felt somewhat like a victory because through this whole process, we haven’t had any victories so to know that my son’s name is at least going to be remembered by the officer every time they put those cuffs on somebody really hits my heart,” Alarcon said.
Her daughter, Arianna Tecpa, shared that there was a sense of comfort in being around so many people who had gone through the same tragedy.
“I know these families are all going through the same thing so we’re all grieving,” she said.
Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley presented proclamations acknowledging National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
