Las Vegas police Sgt. Matthew Harris with his wife Carly, and children Jacob, 5, and Olivia, 6, watch the procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas police Lt. Jeff Clark watches the procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
The procession for Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Jenkins, 47, who was shot and killed while he stopped to help a motorist on Friday morning in a remote part of the state north of Ely, makes its way to Ely from the Clark County coroner’s office in Las Vegas, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Ben Jenkins is going home.
Hundreds of police cars and motorcycles escorted the body of the 47-year-old, married father of four from the Clark County coroner’s office Saturday as it made its way back to his family in rural Nevada. The sergeant was shot and killed Friday morning after pulling over to assist a motorist just north of Ely.
Jenkins had five grandchildren and was an Elko native and military veteran who “devoted his life to public service,” authorities said Friday.
His body was escorted by hundreds of first responders to the coroner’s office on Friday night. Less than 24 hours later, an honor guard saluted his body as he was taken from the coroner’s office about 1 p.m. Saturday.
Highway Patrol cars with flashing blue-and-red lights led the escort, while agencies including the Metropolitan Police Department and Las Vegas City Marshals followed closely behind.
The Nevada Highway Patrol’s Southern Command tweeted a video of Jenkins’ body, draped in an American flag, being taken from the coroner’s office as officers saluted.
“Sgt. Jenkins, we’re bringing you home,” the Highway Patrol said.
