News

Actions

Arizona DPS trooper helped authorities, victims in Las Vegas shooting

Posted at 3:53 PM, Oct 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-06 08:49:49-04

An Arizona trooper is being credited with helping authorities and victims in Las Vegas during the shooting that left more than 50 killed and 500 injured, including two fellow Arizona troopers.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Sgt. Alan Haywood, was in Las Vegas for an "Honor Guard Detail" when he assisted Nevada highway Patrol troopers while on Interstate 15 at Sunset Boulevard. The trooper learned of the attack as traffic had come to a stop, and he helped control traffic in the area as well as allow emergency personnel to get through to the Mandalay Bay area after Stephen Paddock opened fire on concert-goers at the Route 91 Harvest festival on October 1. 

RELATED: Off-duty Mesa officer injured in Las Vegas shooting

While assisting, he came across a pickup truck on I-5 that was carrying four victims of the shooting. He was able to flag down other troopers and an ambulance; one of the victims in the truck was deceased. He was able to escort the truck of victims to a nearby hospital and helped load the victims off of the truck and into the care of medical staff members. 

RELATED: More than 270 mass shootings recorded in US this year

While he was at the hospital, Sgt. Haywood was informed that two fellow employees with AZDPS had been injured in the shooting. He was able to track down the injured employees at another nearby hospital.  

He was able to notify the injured employee's family members and worked as a "liaison" between Nevada authorities and AZDPS, officials said.  

RELATED: Police release body cam video of Las Vegas mass shooting

Officials said there were other AZDPS personnel in Las Vegas attending a conference, all were accounted for thanks to the trooper's leadership, they said. The two DPS personnel who were injured were in Las Vegas off-duty and on their own time attending the country music concert. 

RELATED: Video: Shots fired during concert

Haywood is a 17-year AZDPS veteran, he also served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman prior to becoming a state trooper.