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Incident
Officer Benjamin Herrera was shot and killed after he and two other officers responded to a report from a woman that her husband was drunk and threatened to kill his family. The officers located the man's vehicle at a nearby trailer park and began to search for him. The man surprised them and held them at bay with a rifle. The officers attacked the man when he became distracted. During the scuffle, the man gained control of Officer Herrera's service weapon and shot him in the chest. He shot the other officer three times before the third officer was able to subdue him. The suspect was sentenced to a total of ten years for the murder of Officer Herrera and the attempted murder of his partner. Officer Herrera was a WWII veteran and had served with the Farmington Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and six children. Two of his grandsons became officers with the Farmington Police Department. In 2017, the Farmington Police Department was dedicated in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
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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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 Herrera gave the Farmington Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Farmington 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
Benjamin Herrera served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Farmington Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1962, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1962, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1962, 67 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 116th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 38. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Benjamin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin 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. Benjamin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 6.5% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Farmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Farmington Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
Military Service
Benjamin Herrera served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Benjamin Herrera’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 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Farmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
