Officers’ names added to Memorial Wall bring total to 217 

SANTA FE – Today, seven fallen New Mexico law enforcement officers were honored when their names were unveiled on a black marble memorial wall at the New Mexico Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Law Enforcement Memorial. The wall bares the names of 217 New Mexico law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. 

The visually stunning ceremony included a 21-gun salute, a law enforcement helicopter flyover, a flag folding ceremony, and an emotional flag presentation. The 2023 inductees included, Curry County Deputy Sheriff Charles Bryan Vannatta, Santa Fe Police Department Senior Officer Robert Eric Duran, Bernalillo County Lieutenant Fred Douglas Beers, III, Bernalillo County Undersheriff Larry Koren, Bernalillo County Deputy Sheriff Michael Adam Levison, Colfax County Undersheriff Jeffrey Mark Montoya, and New Mexico State Police Sergeant Thomas Dean Vitale. The officers were honored by hundreds of police officers, dignitaries, citizens, and family members.

Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie said, “This was a day of solemn reflection, and an opportunity to honor and express our gratitude for their courage and sacrifices. Our appreciation and admiration for these officers will live in our hearts every day.”

Deputy Sheriff Vannatta and Undersheriff Montoya contracted COVID-19 during the commission of their job duties and succumbed to complications of COVID-19 on January 3, 2022, and September 25, 2021, respectively. 

Senior Police Officer Duran was killed in an automobile crash while pursuing a robbery suspect who allegedly carjacked and kidnapped a woman. Officers engaged in a vehicle pursuit with the suspect and Officer Duran collided with another vehicle head-on.

Undersheriff Koren, Lieutenant Beers, and Deputy Levison were killed in an aircraft crash after assisting firefighters during the Calf Canyon / Hermits Peak wildfire in northern New Mexico. 

On May 19, 2018, Sergeant Vitale collapsed in his office less than 24 hours after he assisted emergency responders transport an uncooperative and combative suspect for a mental evaluation. Sergeant Vitale was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The names and circumstances of each officer’s death can be found at: http://www.nmlememorial.org/.  

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of the Law Enforcement Officers of the State of New Mexico who, in the line of duty, unselfishly sacrificed their lives in the protection of the lives, property, rights and privileges of the people of New Mexico.