Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Nash Garcia was killed after stopping a car near U.S. 66 in the Acoma Indian Reservation 18 miles east of Grants, New Mexico. The two suspects had prior dealings with Patrolman Garcia and intentionally violated several traffic laws in order to have Patrolman Garcia attempt to follow them. The suspects drove onto a dirt road in a mountainous area on Sandstone Mesa where they set up an ambush. As Patrolman Garcia came around a bend, he was shot by one of the two and then beaten to death. They placed his body in his car and drove it into a patch of trees. They returned the next night and set the vehicle on fire. The suspects, brothers 28 and 31, were sentenced to death. In 1953 they were granted new trials, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. Patrolman Garcia had served in law enforcement for ten years. He was survived by his wife and three daughters. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-0D4A0ED2- 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.
Patrolman Garcia gave the New Mexico State Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Garcia.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Nash Phillip Garcia 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 New Mexico State Police, 10 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nash Phillip Garcia's cause is highlighted.
How Nash Phillip Garcia Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nash Phillip Garcia is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nash Phillip Garcia was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from New Mexico State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
