25 years later, police reflect on early days of Metro

They were one rowdy bunch when the merger came about 25 years ago.

They argued over which of the big brass should be the top boss and even what color their outfits and cars should be -- to the point where fist fights broke out in parking lots.

Some say the conflicts got so bad that cops should have been called in to break them up. The only problem with that was that they were the cops.

However, a quarter-century later, the former Las Vegas Police Department and the old Clark County Sheriff's Office -- now Las Vegas Metro Police -- is the 20th largest police force in the nation with 3,200 unified employees.

On Wednesday night, hundreds of them gathered at the MGM Grand hotel-casino's Theme Park on the Strip with their families for a private party and a ceremony to commemorate the silver anniversary of the state-mandated merger on July 1, 1973.

"The words 'utter chaos' perfectly described what it was like just after the merger," Sheriff Jerry Keller, a crime lab specialist in the CCSO at the time of the merger, said prior to Wednesday's ceremony. "There were many officers who said 'I'll give this another six or eight months and I'm out of here.'

"Sheriff (Ralph) Lamb and (Las Vegas Deputy Police Chief and future Sheriff John) Moran finally had enough of the petty bickering, and told us we were law enforcement officers and we should act like it. That was the turning point. The consolidation of law enforcement departments turned out to be the best thing ever for this community."

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., was a state senator at the time who helped pass the merger act.

"It was very controversial legislation," Bryan said prior to the ceremony. "Both the city and county were at odds over who would be boss -- the police chief or the sheriff."

Bryan mused that perhaps Lamb had just a bit of an advantage in his quest for the top spot as his brother, state Sen. Floyd Lamb, was chairman of the finance committee at the time. Nonetheless, Ralph Lamb became the first boss of the combined unit.

"The sheriff was perhaps the second most powerful man in the state (behind the governor)," Bryan said. "At that time Ralph Lamb also was chairman of the liquor and gaming license boards for the county, so he had considerable influence."

Bryan said to help boost the sagging morale of the two departments as they struggled to combine resources, lawmakers instituted a costly but effective policy of adopting the higher of the two salaries as the standard pay for each rank.

"Today Metro is one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country," Bryan said.

In 1973, Metro adopted the county's khaki uniforms over the city's blue. They compromised on the color of the patrol cars -- tan -- before changing to present day black and white, the old county colors. The city patrol cars had been blue and white.

Wednesday's event was highlighted by a moving video tribute to ex-Sheriff John Moran, who served from 1982-94 and died last week.

His wife of 52 years, Goldie Moran, received a standing ovation from the nearly 1,000 Metro employees on hand for the ceremony that featured proclamations from the city, county, governor and congressional delegation.

"John loved Metro -- he did everything he could to make it a better department," Goldie said, choking back tears. She presented Keller with checks for the Injured Police Officers Fund that had been sent to her in her husband's memory.

Moran's death left just five surviving police chiefs and three sheriffs. Two of the ex-chiefs and one ex-sheriff were present along with Keller.

A surprise no-show for Wednesday's gala was Lamb, who served from 1961-78. No explanation was given for his absence.

Ex-Sheriff John McCarthy, who defeated Lamb, served from 1978-81 and was unseated by Moran, made the trip from his home in Texas.

Ex-chief George Allen, who wore LVPD badge No. P-1, and Pete Witcher, were on hand for the ceremony. Allen served as chief in 1953, '55 and '60; Witcher from 1968-72. Other living ex-chiefs are Ray Sheffer (1956-60), Leo Kuykendall (1960-64), and Loren Bunker (1964-68).

Of the 119 Metro employees who were feted for being on the force before the merger, Mike Fishbach was recognized as the longest serving with 36 years.

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