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Sam J. Trujillo
Incident
Chief of Police Sammy Trujillo died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Chief Trujillo had served with the Village of Taos Ski Valley Police Department for 21 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Chief of Police Sam J. Trujillo died on November 3, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 64.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmhf908gpapdk54tb50p- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Sam is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Chief of Police Trujillo gave the Taos Ski Valley Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Taos Ski Valley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Trujillo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Sam is the only officer of Taos Ski Valley Police Department remembered here.
Sam is one of 5 officers lost to illness in NM, 2.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Sam is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Sam is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 2 officers in NM were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Sam was 64. Of the 4 lost to illness in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 44.5 and 55.8; the middle age was 50.5. Sam had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 12.5 years.
Sam was 64. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Sam had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Sam was 64. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Sam had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths in NM; January holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 20%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Taos Ski Valley Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 2.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Taos Ski Valley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.