Edmonds police officer Tyler Steffins was stabbed to death on the Las Vegas strip on Saturday.
Las Vegas police said in a statement that Steffins and his attacker had gotten into an argument over “an interaction with a dog” the night before and the day of the stabbing.
The suspected attacker, identified as 58-year-old Freddy Allen, was taken into custody after a short foot chase. A six-inch hinting knife was found discarded in fountain outside a local casino.
Allen did not appear for his initial court date on Monday, with the bailiff describing him as “being too disruptive.”
“This is a tragic loss for our agency when our staff and the entire region is already in a state of mourning for other fallen officers,” Edmonds police chief Michelle Bennett said in a written statement. “While we grieve with heavy hearts, our peer support program members are actively engaging with our staff. Tyler was a valued member of our police family whose infectious smile and contagious laugh endeared him to his peers. We will miss him terribly but cherish the times we had with him. We remain committed to providing quality service to our community even during the most trying of times.”
Steffins leaves behind a wife and two young children.
