In North Las Vegas, Nevada, a 46-year-old Caucasian male named Jason P. Roscow lost his life on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in the line of duty as a police officer. A 17-year veteran of the North Las Vegas Police Department, Officer Roscow was a dedicated public servant who had served in various capacities, including the Traffic and Patrol Operations divisions.
His career was marked by a commitment to the community he served, earning him the respect of his colleagues.
The events leading to his death began in the afternoon when police received 911 calls about a man walking in a neighborhood near Lone Mountain and Camino Al Norte, armed with a gun and throwing rocks at cars, shattering at least one window. Officer Roscow was the first to locate the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Alexander Andre Mathis, on Misty View Court. When confronted, Mathis ignored the officer's commands to show his hands and instead advanced toward him.
A fatal exchange of gunfire ensued between Officer Roscow and the suspect. During the shootout, Officer Roscow fired 16 rounds, while Mathis fired five. Officer Roscow was struck multiple times. A second officer, Luis Messias Venez, arrived on the scene and fired one round. Both Officer Roscow and Mathis were transported to University Medical Center, where they succumbed to their injuries. The coroner later confirmed that Roscow died from multiple gunshot wounds, while Mathis died from a single gunshot wound.
Following the incident, law enforcement officials stated that had Alexander Mathis survived, he would have faced a litany of charges, including murder of a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting a public officer with a deadly weapon. Body camera footage from the scene captured the tense moments of the confrontation, showing Mathis pointing a gun at the officer. The family of Mathis described him as outgoing and free-spirited but also stated he was homeless. Officer Roscow, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was remembered as a loving father to his two young sons, a mentor to his colleagues, and a protector in his community.
