Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Pena was shot and killed while questioning a drunk man at a local bar after receiving reports that the man had displayed a gun. The suspect left the bar and went into the street with Marshal Pena without causing any problems. However, after they were in the street, the man produced a .32 caliber revolver and shot Marshal Pena in the chest. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to three life sentences without parole but was released after only 14 years. Marshal Pena was a veteran of WWI and had served with the Taos Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-0E0A2F11- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Village Marshal Pena gave the Taos Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Taos community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Pena.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Village Marshal Lee Pena 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lee Pena's cause is highlighted.
How Lee Pena Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after 14 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee Pena is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lee Pena was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.