Nights of Fire: An Account of Civil Unrest in Las Vegas During the Aftermath of the Rodney King Trial

On the night of May 1992, Las Vegas became a battleground.

In the wake of the Rodney King verdict, the city’s Westside erupted in what one sergeant described as guerrilla warfare. Police officers and firefighters were placed in a terrifying environment of destruction and violence they had never witnessed before, and told to do something.

Now, for the first time, this gripping report—once circulated only among law enforcement—is available to the public. Written in 1992 by former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant and current Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, Nights of Fire is more than a historical account. It is a vital learning tool that dissects the tactical mistakes, crucial successes, and hard-won lessons of the crisis.

For government officials, police command staff, and first responders, this book offers a raw, firsthand account of what happens on the ground during a period of civil unrest. It offers a clear blueprint for effective training, policies, leadership, and post-event care, ensuring that those who protect and serve our communities are better prepared to face the challenges of today.