Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-6802B888- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Benjamin Herrera is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Farmington Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin Herrera's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Herrera Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to ten years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Herrera is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Herrera was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Farmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
