New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico
End of Watch: Monday, January 4, 1960
Age:
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Aircraft accident
Date of Incident: January 4, 1960
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Austin Roberts and Officer Ocie Gray were killed when the Cessna 180 piloted by Officer Roberts crashed just off State Route 104 about 23 miles east of Las Vegas.
The officers were dropping hay to starving antelope that were stuck in deep snow in San Miguel County.
Officer Roberts was a U.S. Air Force veteran who had piloted 65 bombing missions during WWII. He had served with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.