ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – A family friend and cousin in Wyoming recalled a slain Las Vegas police officer as a devoted father who loved his job and enjoyed woodworking.
Alyn Beck, 41, originally was from Green River in southwest Wyoming. Beck and another officer, Igor Soldo, 31, were shot and killed Sunday by a couple who then shot another man before killing themselves at a Wal-Mart.
Beck is survived by his wife, Nicole, and their three children: a 14-year-old son, an 11-year-old daughter and a 10-month-old daughter.
Beck loved being a police officer and recently had passed a test to be promoted to sergeant, family friend Ryan Dennett told the Rock Springs Rocket-Miner (http://bit.ly/1qooHSP ).
Beck had served with the Las Vegas police department since 2001. Beck thought he could make society better by being a police officer, Dennett said.
"He thought this was the biggest contribution he could make as an individual and collective basis," he said.
Beck also was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent a lot of time working with the church and speaking to youth about the religion, Dennett said.
Beck's passion outside his job, family and religion, he said, was woodworking and carpentry.
Dennett remembered he'd visit Beck's house and often find him working on a project in the garage. Sometimes, he said, Beck would craft pieces for his church to auction off.
In his spare time, Beck loved boating and water skiing on Lake Mead, physical fitness and returning to Wyoming to enjoy the wide open spaces, Dennett said.
Mike Beck recalled that his cousin was a successful wrestler at Green River High School who enjoyed helping out at his uncle's ranch in the Kemmerer area.
"He was a good man," Beck said. "He was just a fantastic man."
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Information from: Rock Springs (Wyo.) Rocket-Miner, http://www.rocketminer.com
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