DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has named the District One Silver City Patrol as the 2025 recipient of the Ben Lopez Memorial Best Patrol Award.
The award was established in memory of Ben Lopez, a dedicated NMDOT patrol supervisor who tragically lost his life on Aug. 18, 2005, in a random act of violence as he arrived for his shift at the North Urban Patrol yard in Albuquerque. His death marked the beginning of a violent crime spree that also claimed the lives of two motorcycle shop employees and two Albuquerque police officers. The annual award honors Lopez's legacy and recognizes the commitment and sacrifices made by transportation workers statewide.
The Silver City Patrol earned top honors with a score of 151.7 points, competing against five other districts. Judges conducted site visits across the state, evaluating patrols based on cleanliness, organization, equipment maintenance, roadway management and overall operations.
The Silver City team demonstrated excellence in maintaining equipment, responding to emergencies, repairing fences and guardrails, managing unpaved roadways and addressing hazardous conditions such as fires and flooding.
Members of the award-winning Silver City Patrol include:
Staff Manager: Edward Misquez
Supervisor: Jerry Montes
Maintainers: Bryan Gruwell, Steven Roybal, Rito Medina, Gary Rodriguez, Raymond Rodriguez, Ryan Garcia, Justin Diaz and Daniel Udero
NMDOT congratulates the Silver City Patrol for their outstanding achievement and continued dedication to public service and roadway safety.
