North Las Vegas Police officers recall fallen comrade’s sense of humor, love for life

The flag-draped casket of fallen North Las Vegas Police Officer Jason Roscow is taken off a police truck at Central Christian Church for a memorial service Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Henderson. Photo by Steve Marcus

North Las Vegas Police Sgt. Daryl Reitz met Jason Roscow in 2007 when they entered the police academy.

They spent 20 weeks together in the academy, launching a friendship that continued when they joined the department. 

They were constantly laughing, Reitz said during Roscow’s memorial service Thursday at Central Christian Church.

Roscow, 46, was killed Feb. 4 in a shootout with a suspect at Camino Al Norte and Lone Mountain Road.

Roscow, a 17-year veteran with the department, was a “goofball,” “a class clown, a joker, a smoker” and a hard worker who “loved people, and he loved his two boys above all else,” Reitz said.

Earlier on Feb. 4, patrol officers skipped their usual preshift briefing for a department photo, Reitz recalled. 

They took a few professional pictures in front of backdrops with palm trees and waterfalls while joking about looking like high schoolers getting ready for prom. Roscow jokingly suggested they take their “real squad photos” on a nearby playground, Reitz said.

“North Las Vegas Police Department’s finest, ladies and gentlemen, a group of amazing cops who protect and serve the community and do it better than anyone else could ever do, but a bunch of children at heart who love to have fun and who love each other,” Reitz said. “Real people with real hearts and real passion, and at the center of that love was Jason Roscow. Jason’s impact and influence on this department and everyone he encountered was undeniable.” 

Officer Maria Horn recalled the bond she formed with Roscow despite only knowing him for a year.

Roscow would arrive at work with a cooler of chocolate milk and a pack of miniature donuts and offer a donut to Horn during briefings. But he usually would hold off on delivering a joke as to not disrupt the meeting, she said.

The two would spend their mornings loading patrol cars, grabbing coffee or having a smoke session before heading out. Horn said they would talk about his family and experiences as an officer.

Roscow had two sons, Graysen, 9, and Andrew, 4.

His sense of humor and commitment to his job was a common theme at the memorial.

Lt. Kenny Lee’s first interaction with Roscow in 2009 was during a graveyard shift where Roscow joked about sweating a lot despite it being around 30 degrees outside. In the years following, Roscow would often visit with Lee to talk about his job and their children.

“The world was a better place with Jason in it,” Lee said. “In closing, I want to thank him for the happiness he brought into not only my life, but into the life of his family, his children, his friends, other officers, their jurisdictions; every life he touched, he left a mark. Jason, we love you, brother, and we’ll take it from here.”

Reitz said Roscow taught him to “enjoy life to the fullest and savor every moment.” He urged people to appreciate their loved ones and show that love every chance they get in honor of Roscow.

“Enjoy your loved ones and truly love other people; show that love every chance you get, don’t put off until tomorrow the love you could share today,” Reitz said. “Let’s honor Jason’s memory as we continue to live our lives. Let’s laugh; let’s have fun; let’s be strong; let’s love one another. Jason, I love you, brother.”

Roscow will be laid to rest Monday in his hometown of Prairie du Rocher, Ill.