Prev
James Francis McGrane Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James McGrane was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Highway 337 at 12:46 am.
Unknown to Deputy McGrane, the driver of the vehicle was connected to a 2005 murder. As he approached the vehicle, Deputy McGrane was shot twice and died at the scene from his wounds.
Within minutes of Deputy McGrane calling in the stop witnesses in the area called 911 to report hearing two gunshots and seeing a white pickup flee the scene.
The suspect was a parolee who had previously served at least six years in jail on unrelated charges. The suspect was apprehended in Juarez, Mexico, on April 3rd, 2006. On June 4th, 2010 the suspect was found guilty of the killing of Deputy McGrane, tampering with evidence, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 43-1/2 years. On August 4th, 2012, he was convicted of the 2005 murder and sentenced to 28 years to be served after the expiration of his first sentence.
Deputy McGrane had served with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had previously served with the New Mexico State Police and United States Postal Inspection Service for a total of 10-1/2 years.
Unknown to Deputy McGrane, the driver of the vehicle was connected to a 2005 murder. As he approached the vehicle, Deputy McGrane was shot twice and died at the scene from his wounds.
The suspect was a parolee who had previously served at least six years in jail on unrelated charges. The suspect was apprehended in Juarez, Mexico, on April 3rd, 2006. On June 4th, 2010 the suspect was found guilty of the killing of Deputy McGrane, tampering with evidence, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 43-1/2 years. On August 4th, 2012, he was convicted of the 2005 murder and sentenced to 28 years to be served after the expiration of his first sentence.
Deputy McGrane had served with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had previously served with the New Mexico State Police and United States Postal Inspection Service for a total of 10-1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnn8mk61v5dxdh3wxaaa- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff McGrane gave the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McGrane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 2006, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 38. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. James had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 38. 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. James had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 6.5% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Wednesdays: 17.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 36.4% of all 11 deaths at Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; 10 mm, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; 10 mm, in 0.8% 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; 10 mm, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; 10 mm, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
Emilio Candelaria Jan 29, 1930
-
Alfred Ray Davis Nov 25, 1968
-
Julian Narvaez
Mar 26, 1969
-
William Harold Sibrava, Jr.
May 27, 1994
-
Angelic Suzette Garcia
Mar 4, 2001
-
James Francis McGrane, Jr.
Mar 22, 2006
-
Dean Francis Miera
Oct 29, 2010
-
Lawrence George Koren
Jul 16, 2022
-
Fred Douglas Beers, III
Jul 16, 2022
-
Michael Adam Levison
Jul 16, 2022
-
Michael Schlattman
Feb 23, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
