Deming Police Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 25, 1979
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 25, 1979
Weapon Used: Rifle; 45.70
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman Royce Bennett was shot and killed during a traffic stop of a subject who was known to him.
The vehicle stopped in a motel parking lot on U.S. Route 70.
As he approached the vehicle the man shot a rifle through the driver's window, striking Patrolman Bennett in the chest. His vest stopped the round but the impact caused fatal injuries. Before succumbing to his wound he was able to return fire, but did not strike the subject.
The man was acquitted of Patrolman Bennett's murder but was later shot and killed by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper during a traffic stop in which he opened fire on the trooper.
Patrolman Bennett was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with Deming Police Department for just under 18 months. He was survived by his wife and son.