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Incident
Patrolman Ronald Shores was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while manning a roadblock on State Road 3. Deputies from the Taos County Sheriff's Department were pursuing a stolen car and requested assistance from the Questa Police Department. Patrolman Shores had positioned his car across both lanes of a two-lane bridge. The suspect's vehicle struck the patrol car and then struck Patrolman Shores, killing him. The 20-year-old man, a diagnosed schizophrenic, fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later. He was sent to a state mental hospital to determine his sanity. On February 22, 1979, he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years probation. Conditions of his probation were that he be transferred to a Pennsylvania mental hospital so he could be near his mother. He was to remain in the hospital until medical professionals said he could leave. Patrolman Shores, a U.S.
Survivors
Navy veteran who served as a crewman on the USS Denebola AF56, had been with the agency for four months and was survived by his wife, son, and father.
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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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.
Patrolman Shores served with the Questa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Questa 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
Ronald Edwin Shores served in the the United States military (1969â1973) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ronald is the only officer of Questa Police Department remembered here.
Ronald is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ronald 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 1977, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 27. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Ronald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 27. 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. Ronald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Questa Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, 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 automobile, in 4.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Military Service
Ronald Edwin Shores served in the U.S. Navy (1969–1973) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ronald Edwin Shores’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
Also Remembered
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