Roll of Honor
Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Leopoldo Gurule was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute. When he arrived at the scene a woman ran to his patrol car and screamed that her husband had a rifle and was going to kill the officer. As he attempted to back out of the parking spot the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding him. He was able to call for backup before succumbing to his wounds. Responding officers located Deputy Gurule next to his patrol car and found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputy Gurule had served with the agency for six years and had previously served with the Santa Fe Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his wife and three children. A city park and a new detention center were named in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-31089971- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Leopoldo. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Leopoldo is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gurule gave the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Fe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gurule.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule served in the U.S. Navy (1962â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule 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 Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule's cause is highlighted.
How Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule was killed by rifle.
Military Service
Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule served in the U.S. Navy (1962–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Leopoldo Cesilo Gurule’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.