PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, Ill. – A North Las Vegas police officer who lost his life in a shootout was laid to rest Monday morning in the Metro East community he formerly called home.
The southwestern Illinois community gathered at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church to say goodbye to officer Jason P. Roscow in Prairie du Rocher.
“We did…to honor our brother. He’s always had our backs, so we’re always going to have his back all the way home. We are going to bring him all the way home. That’s why we are out here,” North Las Vegas Police Department Sgt. Brian Thomas said.
A 17-year member of the North Las Vegas Police Department, Roscow lost his life Feb. 4 in the line of duty.
Current and former members of the North Las Vegas Police Department were in attendance Monday.
“(Roscow) was a person who was passionate about doing what he loved and he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and for his community,” Ian Schwanitz, retired Sgt. North Las Vegas PD, said.
Early on in his career as a public servant, Roscow was a volunteer fireman with the Prairie du Rocher fire department. He then enlisted in the Air Force, stationed in South Korea, Iraq and Kuwait.
“I just want people to know the impact that Jay made in the community. Since this has happened, we’ve had people come out and just tell us about interactions they had with him,” Thomas said. “(And) how he has actually helped them and served his community and for us that worked with him.”