1 October Redaction Unit and LVMPD Law Enforcement Explorer Program Youth to be Honored at Hidden Heroes Black & White Gala on Saturday, Feb. 23
On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation will hold the second annual Hidden Heroes Black & White Gala at 5 p.m. in the Mont-Royal Ballroom located inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (Pictured: Capt. Sasha Larkin)
The event will honor 13 LVMPD detectives and one sergeant from the Department’s 1 October Redaction Unit, who for nine months reviewed and redacted thousands of pages of documents as well as examined hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage from the tragedy.
The event will also recognize over 75 participants of the LVMPD Law Enforcement Explorer Program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of the program. The program exposes young adults to a career in law enforcement and aims to develop and refine qualities such as maturity, responsibility, character, civic duty and personal fitness.
“The Hidden Heroes Black & White Gala is an outstanding platform to recognize members of LVMPD that we often don’t hear about, but who nonetheless play an integral role in the organization day-in and day-out,” said Tom Kovach, executive director of the LVMPD Foundation. “Their commitment to the Las Vegas community and LVMPD is strong and their efforts deserve to be recognized.”
The Hidden Heroes Black & White Gala was created by Nami Oneda, Founder of The Gratitude Project, after she was inspired by the heroic actions of LVMPD on 1 October. As a Las Vegas strip view resident, she saw the tireless efforts of not only first responders, but also the hidden heroes who were not in uniform but were going about the business of saving lives, investigating and keeping us safe. Oneda partnered with the LVMPD Foundation to create an opportunity for lesser known members of the LVMPD to have an opportunity to be recognized.
“The 1 October Redaction Unit worked tirelessly reviewing hours of footage which was both mentally and physically exhausting,” said Nami Oneda, founder of The Gratitude Project. “It was their commitment to the task and the public that got them through this incredibly challenging project. We also wanted to honor the Explorer program in its 40th year and highlight the young adults dedicated to the Department and our community.”
Funds raised from the Hidden Heroes Black & White Gala directly support community safety programs, fundraising for the construction of the Reality Based Training Center in Southern Nevadaand much more. The gala will begin with a VIP reception at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 in the Mont-Royal Ballroom located inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and will also feature a silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets for the Gala and to stay up-to-date with the Foundation’s events and programs, visit lvmpdfoundation.org.
For sponsorship information, please contact Latoya Holman at lholman@lvmpdfoundation.org or 702.983.7369.