Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Hurley was shot and killed by a notorious Mexican outlaw. Nicholas Aragon, who rode with Billy the Kid, was an old time killer, his victims numbering a dozen. Aragon was trapped by Deputy Hurley and several other deputies in his hideout a few miles south of Las Vegas, New Mexico. While making a hole in his roof to smoke him out, Deputy Hurley was fired on by Aragon and killed. Aragon surrendered to the other deputies after being shot and wounded.
On October 26, 1884, Aragon shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Jasper N. Corn of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department when Deputy Corn cornered him in San Miguel County, New Mexico.
Nicholas Aragon was convicted of Deputy Hurley's murder and sentenced to life in prison.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NM-3CDD3076- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Hurley served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Carrizozo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Hurley 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 Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hurley's cause is highlighted.
How John Hurley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hurley is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hurley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
