Carson City bypass to be dedicated to slain deputy Carl Howell

The Nevada Department of Transportation board voted on Monday to dedicate the Carson City bypass in memory of Carson City Sheriff’s deputy Carl Howell, 35, who was killed in a gun battle with Jonathon Pope Aug. 15.

Howell was responding to a domestic violence call when he confronted Pope and the two exchanged gunfire. Both men were killed.

Gov. Brian Sandoval put the plan at the top of the board’s agenda saying he got the idea after reading a Nevada Appeal editorial backing Carson City resident Steven David’s idea to name the freeway for Howell.

“I wanted to make sure we did this with all due haste,” Sandoval said.

NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon said his sign shop could probably have the two signs, one at each end of the bypass, fabricated within 30 days. He said they will each be 9 by 5½ feet. Sign installation will happen in future months, NDOT said.

“This is the right thing to do at the right time,” said Carson City Mayor Robert Crowell in backing the plan.