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Incident
Deputy Gary Downs suffered a heart attack following a struggle in which he was punched in the chest. The incident occurred after several deputies responded to a report of a man attempting to gain entry into a house after he had been thrown out by the owner. A violent struggle ensued between the suspect and the deputies in which Deputy Downs was punched in the chest. He collapsed at the scene and died a short time later at the hospital.
Survivors
Deputy Downs was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqv4cyhwebam6561ka8f- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Gary is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Downs served with the Nye County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tonopah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Downs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gary Raymond Downs served in the U.S. Army (1966â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Nye County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Gary is one of 9 officers lost to cardiac events in NV, 6.2% of the 146 remembered there.
Gary is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gary is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 1 officer in NV was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1992, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1992, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Gary was 45. Of the 9 lost to cardiac events in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 58; the middle age was 51.
Gary was 45. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Gary was 45. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths in NV; July holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 11.1%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Nye County Sheriff's Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Nye County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
Military Service
Gary Raymond Downs served in the U.S. Army (1966–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gary Raymond Downs’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Nye County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
