Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Thomas Richmond was shot and killed during a traffic stop of a speeder on Snow Road just outside of the town limits. Unbeknownst to Sergeant Richmond the suspects in the vehicle had just committed an armed robbery in Las Cruces. Both suspects were apprehended. One was sentenced to life and the other to eight years. Sergeant Richmond was a National Guard veteran and had served with the Mesilla Marshal's Office for three years. He had previously served with the Middletown, New York, Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-B6E32CD4- 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 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.
Sergeant Richmond gave the Mesilla Marshal's Office 6 years.
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
Thomas Arlen Richmond served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Thomas Arlen Richmond 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%.
At Mesilla Marshal'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. Thomas Arlen Richmond's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Arlen Richmond Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Arlen Richmond is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Arlen Richmond was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mesilla Marshal's Office are honored on badge.nw.
