LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Metro police officer who died after a crash Wednesday night had been with the department for nearly six years, Sheriff Doug Gillespie said Thursday.

In a news conference to address the death of Officer Milburn Beitel, Gillespie could offer little details about the accident itself, but talked of the impact it has already had on fellow officers.

“I feel personally responsible for everyone who works within my organization,” he said.

Beitel and his partner were rushed to University Medical Center Wednesday night after their police cruiser flipped over and caught fire at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Nellis Boulevard.

The two were leaving the scene of a call when the accident happened. Both were assigned to Metro’s saturation detail, where they attempt to “stabilize” high crime areas and arrest gang members and repeat felony offenders, Gillespie said.

Beitel’s partner hasn’t been identified, but Gillespie said he was a 25-year-old officer who had been with the department more than three years.

Investigators were still at the scene of the crash Thursday, trying to piece together the cause of the accident.

Gillespie said he did not know if the police cruiser had lights or sirens on, but said there was no evidence the cruiser hit another vehicle.

He did not say whether speed was a factor, but alluded to the recent death of Officer James Manor in May. Manor was speeding in excess of 100 mph when he hit a pickup truck and died.

Gillespie said the accident forced the department to reexamine its driving policies.

“Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do,” he said. This is not only a challenge for us locally, it’s a challenge nationally.

“Since the James Manor tragedy we have been looking hard internally to find ways to impact our driving,” he said, adding the department had focused on everything from videos to conversations in its effort to make changes.

Beitel Remembered

Immediately following the announcement of Beitel’s death, mourners began posting messages on his Facebook page.

“You were an extraordinary man and an incredible officer,” wrote one mourner.

“I’m still in a state of shock. I will remember all the fun times at the gym, and your constant motivation. You will be missed,” another wrote.

Beitel, 30, graduated from Silverado High School in 1997. The Clark County School District said there are no teachers on staff who were there when Beitel was a student.

His parents, Gillespie said, both live out of state, but were on their way to Las Vegas.

Metro police are urging anyone who wants to make a donation in Beitel’s name to give to the Injured Police Officers Fund.