On October 11, 1988, Officer Marc Alan Kahre, a 34-year-old veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, lost his life in the line of duty. Kahre, who had joined the department as a cadet on October 2, 1973, and became a commissioned officer in 1975, was serving as a motorcycle officer at the time of the incident.
The sequence of events leading to Officer Kahre's death began earlier that day when police received a report of shots fired at 1501 James St., the residence of
Lester James Eierdam's ex-girlfriend, Stacy Grats. Eierdam, 37, had fired several gunshots through Grats' front door, prompting a police response. Subsequently, police received another call at 11:35 a.m. reporting that Eierdam was pointing a gun at a citizen at a 7-Eleven store located at Nellis and Charleston Boulevards. Police broadcast a description of Eierdam's vehicle, a beige 1980 Dodge Diplomat.
Officer Kahre and another officer, James Hulsey, were involved in the pursuit of Eierdam. At approximately 12:10 p.m., Hulsey spotted the suspect's vehicle near the 4900 block of Chantilly Drive. Kahre, who was on his motorcycle, joined Hulsey in following the car. As they drove through the area, Eierdam suddenly slammed on his brakes, leaped out of his vehicle, and began shooting at Officer Kahre. Eierdam fired a revolver across the roof of his car, striking Kahre in the forehead and mortally wounding him.
In response to the gunfire, Officer Hulsey immediately returned fire from inside his patrol car, striking Eierdam several times in the torso. Despite being wounded, Eierdam managed to get back into his car and flee the scene. Hulsey remained with Kahre until paramedics arrived, but Kahre was pronounced dead at the scene, lying in the middle of Chantilly Avenue between his toppled motorcycle and Hulsey's patrol car.
Eierdam's attempt to escape ended when he collided with another vehicle at the busy intersection of Lamb and Charleston Boulevards. Seriously wounded, he was pulled from the car and taken to University Medical Center. During his escape, Eierdam had also sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the temple. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Lester James Eierdam, the suspect and perpetrator, was described as a 37-year-old man who had a history of violence, particularly against his ex-girlfriend. His actions on that day were characterized by Sheriff John Moran as having shot Officer Kahre 'in cold blood.' Eierdam's death marked the end of a violent and tragic sequence of events that resulted in the loss of a dedicated police officer.
Officer Marc Kahre left behind a wife and two sons, ages ten and eight, and his death was a significant loss to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the community he served. His sacrifice has been remembered and honored over the years, including a recent tribute 36 years after his line-of-duty death.
