Thousands mourn slain Carson City sheriff’s deputy Carl Howell at funeral service

RENO, Nev. — Carson City Sheriff’s Office Deputy Carl Howell was remembered for his heroism and being a “true warrior” by those who knew him best as they shared their memories among thousands of mourners who gathered for a funeral service Thursday at Reno Events Center.

Howell, 35, died Saturday, August 15, 2015 in the line of duty responding to a domestic violence call at an East Carson City home. He was married to wife Rachel and is a father of four children. He was a nine year veteran of the Carson City Sheriff's Office having started serving in March 2006.

The funeral was attended by law enforcement across the West and throughout the country with officers coming as far as New York, Chicago, Miami and Seattle. The service was attended by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Sen. Harry Reid. Flags around the state will be half mast through Saturday. The National Honor Flag, which has traveled around the country since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, was presented at the funeral.

The procession began Thursday morning in Carson City, where thousands lined Carson Street to pay their respects.

Carl Howell embraced devotion to duty, country, community and was a true warrior who put others before himself at all costs, said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, presenting him with the department’s Medal of Honor. It was only recently that he was called to the patrol division for a temporary assignment. Howell had worked in the division’s courtroom.

Furlong noted Howell as a law officer, Marine, a member of the Honor Guard, a volunteer firefighter, husband and father.

"The warrior will emerge the hero, having saved lives by giving up his own, that ultimate sacrifice," said Furlong.

The suspect, Jonathan Pope, 30, had a firearm when Howell went to investigate a domestic violence call with a female being injured at 2:18 a.m. Saturday morning. Gunfire was exchanged and Pope died at the scene. Howell died at Carson Tahoe Hospital that morning. The Reno Police Department's Robbery Homicide Division is investigating, working closely with the Carson City Sheriff's Office and other agencies.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell told mourners that words aren’t enough to express the collective grief of the community stemming from the events that morning.

“We saw that at the candlelight vigil this past Saturday at the Fallen Officers Memorial. We see it daily in the faces of our community members. We see it in the faces of those here today,” said Crowell. “What we can offer, however, is our heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifice Carl made on our behalf, both as a police officer and as a United States Marine.

"As we honor Carl, we also honor all those who go in harm’s way to do the heavy lifting for us so that we may savor the fruit of life in a safe and secure community, state and nation," said Crowell.

Howell’s fellow law officers shared stories about the man, who they described as kind, thoughtful, passionate and a best friend. Carson City Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit Deputy Dan Jones spoke of how he and Howell joined the Carson City Sheriff’s Office at the same time, were sworn in together with one number separating their badges. Howell’s badge number is 5466.

“In the end, Carl, your brothers and sisters will be there for your family. We will be there for your wife and kids,” said Jones. “We will honor your memory by telling everyone who will listen how amazing you were. In the end brother you can rest and know that we have the watch.”

Carson City Deputy Bob Guimont said he knew right away Howell and Jones would be leaders when he trained them in 2005 through a Police Officer Survival class. He noted Howell’s love of police work, and the responsibility and risk that comes with it.

“Warrior is a term that is earned,” Guimont said, noting how he described Howell to his father. “The only way I can truly explain to you who Carl is that you take the U.S. Marine Corps, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and the Howell genetics and you have a proven warrior.”

Carl’s brother, Cory, spoke of his younger brother, saying how he used humor and curiosity as guides throughout his life.

Cory Howell referenced his brother’s killer, saying the act was committed by the person and not the family, offering his condolences to the Pope family.

Kevin Howell, Carl’s father, a Vietnam veteran who went on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., earlier this summer, spoke of his son and how there’s 100 years of service to community and country that runs deep in the Howell family.

“As sad as I am, devastated as I am, I take comfort in the fact that the pride that swells is pushing the grief away,” the elder Howell said. “What more could you ask of a person than what Carl did?”

He said he and his sons had went motorcycle riding through the Sierra earlier this summer. It was their last time on motorcycles together. They had planned a ride along the coast. Kevin Howell said his daughter-in-law Rachel and he will make the ride this fall in memory of Carl.