Otero County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico
End of Watch Saturday, December 18, 2004
Add to My HeroesRobert Walter Hedman
Deputy Sheriff Robert Hedman was shot and killed after responding to a call of a domestic dispute at a home on U.S. 82 10 miles east of Cloudcroft.
He and another deputy responded to the dispute at approximately 7:00 pm. The deputies noticed blood on the floor at the entryway to the residence. They made contact with a male resident and a 3-year-old girl, but the man slammed and locked the door.
Deputy Hedman's partner took cover as Deputy Hedman went to the back of the home. The man opened fire on Deputy Hedman at the rear of the home, fatally wounding him. The man then returned to the front of the home, where he engaged the other deputy in a shootout. The man was shot and killed by the return gunfire from Deputy Hedman's partner.
The body of a woman who was murdered by the man earlier in the evening was found inside the home.
Deputy Hedman was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Otero County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had previously served with the Tularosa Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, and the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety. He is survived by his wife and two children.
He is buried in Monte Vista Cemetery, Alamogordo, Otero County, New Mexico.
Bio
- Age 49
- Tour 5 years
- Badge 29
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 195 ReflectionsDeputy Sheriff Hedman,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army-especially during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
December 18, 2024
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