Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal Philip Olivas was struck and killed by a vehicle just after midnight. He had stopped a person for suspicion of drunk driving when the man jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot along Union Avenue near County Road 37 west of Mesilla Park. Deputy Olivas chased him on foot along the county road and then down an unlit road, where he caught up to him. He then told a bystander to go to his cruiser and call for assistance as he was struggling with the suspect in the roadway. A responding unit came down the unlit road and did not see the two fighting until it was too late and struck them both. The subject died at the scene, and Deputy Olivas died about 30 minutes later. The suspect ran because he was driving on a revoked license. Deputy Olivas was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served with the Mesilla Marshal's Office for only 24 days.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-5BDA6ADD- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Philip. Claim this record.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Marshal Olivas served with the Mesilla Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mesilla community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Philip Olivas served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Marshal Philip Olivas is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NM, 59 of 193 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30.6% of this state's fallen.
At Mesilla Marshal's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Philip Olivas's cause is highlighted.
How Philip Olivas Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Philip Olivas is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mesilla Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.
