In the quiet evening hours of January 28, 2014, the life of Roger Whomes, a 58-year-old Caucasian male with a long and notable career in Nevada's legal and law enforcement community, came to a sudden and tragic end in Reno. Police were called to a residence where they discovered Whomes in the driveway with what was described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was rushed to Renown Medical Center, but his life could not be saved, and he was pronounced dead.
The news of his death sent ripples through the communities he had served for decades. A native of Fallon, his career was marked by a deep commitment to public service. He had worn the badges of a Reno and Sparks police officer before dedicating 18 years to the Washoe County District Attorney's Office as a deputy district attorney. His ambition and dedication were further demonstrated by his unsuccessful, yet hard-fought, campaign for the position of Washoe County District Attorney in 2010.
Following the discovery of his body, the Reno Police Department conducted an investigation into the circumstances of his death. Their findings concluded that there was no evidence of foul play, and the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Consequently, there were no suspects sought and no arrests made in connection with the incident, as the case was not deemed a homicide. The community was left to mourn the loss of a man who had been a fixture in the local justice system for many years.
