Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico
End of Watch Thursday, August 18, 2005
Add to My HeroesMichael R. King
Police Officer Michael King and Police Officer Richard Smith were shot and killed while attempting to take a man into custody for a mental health evaluation.
The officers located the man at an address near the intersection of Ash Street SE and Gold Avenue SE. They were fired upon immediately upon arriving at the scene. Officer King was killed instantly, Officer Smith was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect, 48, fled the scene on a motorcycle but was located approximately two hours later. He was injured when the motorcycle crashed as officers attempted to stop him. The suspect was charged with murdering Officer King and Officer Smith. He was also charged with two murders that had been committed earlier in the evening at a local motorcycle store at a fifth murder of a New Mexico Department of Transportation worker that had occurred that morning.
The suspect, 48, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia was later found incompetent to stand trial. He was sentenced to 179 years in a state mental institution. If he is ever found competent, preparations for a trial will begin. On January 20, 2022, he was still deemed incompetent.
Officer King had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Bio
- Age 50
- Tour 22 years
- Badge 625
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Charged with five counts of murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 258 ReflectionsThank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 18, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Allan Reddins
Oak Park Police Department, IL
EOW: November 29, 2024
Police Officer Jesse Branch
Red Lake Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: November 27, 2024
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Love
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: October 19, 2024
Police Officer Cooper Dawson
Greenville Police Department, TX
EOW: November 26, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 25, 2024
Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson
Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, TX
EOW: November 22, 2024
Major Michelle Lynn Quintero
Madison County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 27, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, Jr.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024
Corporal Luis Paez
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024