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Incident
Officer Robert Potter suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to a major accident involving two tractor trailers on I-10, near Vado.
He was one of the first officers on scene and provided life-saving assistance to the victims of the crash. A short while later, Officer Potter was in a staging area at a nearby truck stop when he suddenly collapsed. He was transported to Memorial Medical Hospital, in Las Cruces, where he passed away the following day.
Officer Potter was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police for seven years.
Officer Potter was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Robert 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.
Officer Potter gave the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Fe community. Thank you 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
Robert Alan Potter served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
New Mexico Motor Transportation Police has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Robert is one of 6 officers lost to cardiac events in NM, 3.1% of the 193 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 1 officer in NM was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 2012, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2012, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Robert was 41. Of the 5 lost to cardiac events in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 42; the middle age was 41. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 41. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Robert was 41. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths in NM; January holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 33.3%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at New Mexico Motor Transportation Police, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.1% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
New Mexico Motor Transportation Police has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Military Service
Robert Alan Potter served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Alan Potter’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 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New Mexico Motor Transportation Police are honored on badge.nw.
