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Incident
Police Officer Gilbert Montoya was shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity at the Moriarty Trading Company store in the 500 block of Center Avenue. He had been called at home by the merchant who saw a car parked outside of the store. While questioning two suspects outside, another suspect inside of the store opened fire with a .22 caliber revolver, striking Officer Montoya in the back of the head. The suspects then stole Officer Montoya's gun and fled the scene. A tip from an anonymous source led to the arrest of the suspects two days later. All three were charged with Officer Montoya's murder. The charges were dropped against one of the suspects and another was acquitted. The gunman was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to two to 10 years in prison. He received an additional two to 10 years for breaking into the store and escaping from jail while he was awaiting trial. He was paroled in 1974. On July 1st, 1999, he murdered two men in Albuquerque. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. Officer Montoya was a U.S. Army veteran and had served in law enforcement for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Gilbert is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Montoya gave the Moriarty Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Moriarty community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gilbert Montoya served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gilbert is the only officer of Moriarty Police Department remembered here.
Gilbert is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gilbert was 31. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Gilbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gilbert was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gilbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gilbert was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gilbert had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Saturdays: 17.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Moriarty Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Gilbert Montoya served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gilbert Montoya’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Moriarty Police Department are honored on badge.nw.