Officer May joined the Las Vegas Police Department in the early 1930’s and was the first Las Vegas police officer to give his life in the line of duty.

On June 8, 1933, he was assigned to investigate a disturbance at a motel on South Fifth Street. It was later learned the motel proprietor had been drinking heavily during the day and had made statements he would kill the first officer to stop there. As Officer May was getting out of his vehicle he was shot by the proprietor. Although Officer May was critically wounded he still shot and wounded his assailant. Both the officer and the suspect died before help could reach them.

He died at the age of 38 and was survived by his wife and seven children, ranging from 6 weeks to 15 years of age.