Daniel Mark Peterson
NEVADA TROOPER MAGAZINE
September 1992
“OFFICER DOWN!”
By Trooper Roger Vind, Trooper Stewart Handte and Amy Bellfi
The evening of June 5 started out just like any other. By all accounts, it was a routine shift for Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) troopers out on the road. Then, suddenly, an unfamiliar voice was heard over the NHP frequency, adding solemn confirmation to the message it had to send: “Officer down!”
As Reno dispatch frantically began a search for the injured trooper, remaining on-duty troops attempted to gain their composure and smooth the lumps from their throats as they came face to face with the realization of the hazards of the job.
…Trooper Daniel Mark Peterson, in his fourth year with NHP, had made a routine traffic stop on I-80 westbound near Sparks Boulevard. He was approaching the driver’s side of the violator’s vehicle when he was struck from behind by a Ford Bronco allegedly operated by a drunken driver. Ironically, this driver had previous law enforcement experience in California.
…Unknown to the troopers responding to Dan’s location, the driver and co-driver of the semi-tractor trailer that Dan had stopped quickly reacted when they saw the trooper lying in the number two travel lane. They split-up: One attended to Dan and protected him from oncoming traffic, and the other ran to Dan’s patrol unit, immediately keyed the mike and provided the undesirable, yet necessary, message, “Officer down!”
…It was learned that the vehicle that had struck Dan had stopped a short distance east of the accident location. Troopers and investigative officers from Sparks Police Department made contact with the driver of the vehicle. This eventually led to the arrest of the driver for felony drunken driving.
Dan was rushed to the trauma unit at the Washoe Medical Center. He underwent emergency surgery the following morning for treatment of his injuries. Subsequently, he was transferred to the intensive care unit where he spent almost two weeks putting up a brave and valiant fight for his life. His body finally gave out on June 18. …On Monday, June 22, a memorial service was held at St. Theresa of the Little Flower Church in Reno. … Uniformed officers from New Hampshire to California made up one of the largest honor guards for a fallen officer ever witnessed by these authors.
Plaque Location & Image
North Wall Column 13 Row F View The Plaque