Officer Benjamin Herrera

Officer Benjamin Herrera

Farmington Police Department, New Mexico

End of Watch Saturday, March 31, 1962

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Benjamin Herrera

Officer Benjamin Herrera was shot and killed after he and two other officers responded to a report from a woman that her husband was drunk and threatened to kill his family.

The officers located the man's vehicle at a nearby trailer park and began to search for him. The man surprised them and held them at bay with a rifle. The officers attacked the man when he became distracted. During the scuffle, the man gained control of Officer Herrera's service weapon and shot him in the chest. He shot the other officer three times before the third officer was able to subdue him.

The suspect was sentenced to a total of ten years for the murder of Officer Herrera and the attempted murder of his partner.

Officer Herrera was a WWII veteran and had served with the Farmington Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and six children. Two of his grandsons became officers with the Farmington Police Department.

In 2017, the Farmington Police Department was dedicated in his honor.

Bio

  • Age 38
  • Tour 1 year
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Officer's handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to ten years

domestic, alcohol violation

Most Recent Reflection

View all 25 Reflections

I remember this awful day when Officer Herrera was killed.
The community and those around Farmington were very saddened.
You and your integrity, heroism have never been forgotten.

Anonymous

July 24, 2022

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