Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Juan Ruiz succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous night while assisting another deputy outside of a dance hall in Derry.
The other deputy was attempting to intervene in a brawl when he was attacked. His gun and badge were taken him from him. As Deputy Ruiz came to his assistance he was also attacked and then fatally shot.
Three men were arrested and charged with murder.
Three subjects were arrested and charged in connection with Deputy Ruiz's murder.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-EE2D3BE6- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ruiz served with the Sierra County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Truth or Consequence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ruiz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Juan Ruiz is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Sierra County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Juan Ruiz's cause is highlighted.
How Juan Ruiz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Juan Ruiz is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Juan Ruiz was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sierra County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
