Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 24, 1982
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 24, 1982
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Agent Robert Larson was shot and killed after an undercover narcotics purchase went bad.
After Agent Larson got into the suspect's vehicle, they drove away. Agent Larson's backup officers lost track of the vehicle as a result. Agent Larson's body was found in a motel room a short time later with three bullet wounds. The drug dealer intended to rob Agent Larson instead of selling him drugs. The suspect and an accomplice were apprehended a short time later.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Agent Larson was a U.S. Army veteran and had been in law enforcement for over ten years. He was survived by his daughter and father.