James Earl MacLaren, Jr. "Mac"

James Earl MacLaren Jr., age 74, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away in his home on Friday, July 9, 2021. Jim was born December 30, 1946 in Niagara Falls, New York to his parents James Earl MacLaren, Sr. and Olga Katherine Fither.

Jim graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1965, and volunteered for duty in the United States Air Force and was inducted in January 1966. James served in Vietnam from January 1968 through January 1969. Upon leaving Vietnam, he was sent to Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. He and his wife Jeanie fell in love with Las Vegas in a matter of weeks and chose to stay and make it their home, when he was discharged in January 1970. Jim waited impatiently to become a member of the Clark County Sheriff's Department and was hired in February 1971, where instantly his fellow officers crowned him "Mac". Mac loved being a Deputy Sheriff and was very proud when he became a member of the Motor Squad. He was detailed in his accident investigations, immaculate in his appearance and the care of his unit.

On Halloween night 1982, he was wounded in the line of duty and forced to take a medical retirement. Due to his extensive injuries and the culmination of his chosen career, Jeanie MacLaren founded the Injured Police Officer's Fund in November 1982 and donated all funds raised by the first "Night of Stars" event to the fund to aid future families with financial burdens.

Mac was predeceased by his son, James Earl MacLaren, III, his mother Olga Katherine MacLaren, and his father, James Earl MacLaren, Sr. He is survived by his extended family, and those closest to him.

Mac loved nothing more than being a motor officer and owned his own motorcycle, which he rode all over the western United States. He enjoyed leather working, and excelled at Golf, shooting, and Slalom water skiing.

Memorial Services for Jim will be on October 28, 2021 at 10:00 AM, where he will be honored for his military service as well as his service in Law Enforcement at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. He will be laid to rest privately at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV 89005.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mac by mail to:

IPOF (Injured Police Officers Fund)

9330 West Lake Blvd. - Suite #130

Las Vegas, NV - 89134

For those who wish to make donations online, please click on the link below.