James R. Rogan

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

February 23, 1978

POLICE GUN DOWN COP KILLER SUSPECT

Metropolitan Police Thursday morning shot and killed a suspect believed involved in Wednesday night’s fatal shooting of a motorcycle patrolman.

The shooting of the suspect about 7:30 a.m. came as he was cornered in a small bathroom in the rear of a house at 1812 So. 16th St. It followed a massive manhunt throughout the night after the patrolman was killed.

Officer James Rogan, 41, was shot about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday on Paradise Road near St. Louis Avenue, allegedly by a driver – believed to be the man shot Thursday morning – he had stopped for a routine traffic check.

Police said Rogan stopped a Cadillac to ticket it for not having any license plates at 2015 Paradise Road, the parking lot of the Dr. Chester Chin Chartered acupuncture clinic.

Then came the several shots from a large caliber gun. One witness said Rogan was shot even as he lay on the ground near his motorcycle.

He was taken to Sunrise Hospital, where he died on the operating table an hour after the shooting took place.

Rogan, married and the father of four children, had been on the force for eight years.

Police, including two helicopters and two search planes, immediately began combing a 16-block area between St. Louis Avenue and Oakey Boulevard for the driver – seen leaving the scene and apparently abandoning his car at 15th and St. Louis streets.

The door-to-door search continued Thursday morning but intensive searching ended after the suspect was killed.

The residents of the house, the Ivan Eisenbergs, were not home Wednesday night. When they returned Thursday morning, they noticed the door to the bathroom, usually kept unlocked and open was closed.

Police were called, and as two officers – one with a shotgun and one with a pistol – opened the door, they said the suspect’s movements led them to believe he might be armed and they fired. They found no weapon on or near him. The suspect, tentatively identified as John H. McClain, 39, of 2600 Howard Ave. was dead at the scene.

…Investigative teams found seven expended shells on the ground near Rogan’s motorcycle.

A Metro detective said the officer had not removed his gun from his holster.

…Rogan, survived by his wife, Elaine, an unnamed 12-year-old daughter, Shannon Rose, 6, and James R. Jr., 2, was remembered by fellow officers as an excellent policeman.

Plaque Location & Image

South Wall Column 12 Row E     View The Plaque