Las Vegas Sun

June 27, 2024

Police chaplain accused of impersonating officer

SPARKS — Police say a Nevada man accused of using flashing red and blue lights to move traffic was a police chaplain, but he did not have authority to use emergency lights.

Nevada Highway Patrol arrested 79-year-old Jay Harlen Jeffers last week after authorities say he used the lights mounted on the dashboard of his pickup truck while driving on U.S. Highway 395.

Nevada Highway Patrol says Jeffers had a Sparks police chaplain badge and identification card.

Sparks police say his status as a chaplain has been suspended.

Jeffers was charged with impersonating a peace officer, reckless driving and displaying red and blue lights on a non-emergency vehicle.

A phone number under Jeffers' name was not listed. It's not known if he has an attorney who could comment on the allegations.