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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Vigil and Deputy Sheriff Daniel Bustamante were shot and killed about 20 miles west of Santa Rita while attempting to arrest a group of men who had robbed a Santa Fe Railroad train in Belen.
The two deputies, along with two Native American trackers, trailed the men and located their campground. As they attempted to arrest them, the men opened fire with Winchester rifles, killing both deputies and one of the trackers, whose name is not known. The remaining tracker retrieved their horses and returned to Magdalena, where he sent a telegram to the sheriff.
Deputy Vigil was survived by his wife, adopted Native American daughter, and brother.
Survivors
Deputy Vigil was survived by his wife, adopted Native American daughter, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Vigil served with the Valencia County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Los Lunas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Valencia County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank 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 1898, 2 officers at Valencia County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1898, 4 officers in NM were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 40% of these deaths at Valencia County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 40%.
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Wednesdays: 17.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Valencia County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Valencia County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Valencia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
