Roll of Honor
Incident
District Attorney Breen was shot and killed in Tucumcari by a mental patient he had helped to convict in 1968. The patient had been released and assassinated District Attorney Breen as he walked to his car before going to work. The suspect was apprehended a short time later and was sent to a state hospital. He was released from the hospital three years later and died in 1988. District Attorney was assigned to the 10th Judicial District of New Mexico and had been with the agency for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-224EBDA5- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
District Attorney Breen gave the New Mexico District Attorney's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Fe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, District Attorney Breen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
District Attorney Victor C. Breen 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 New Mexico District Attorney'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. Victor C. Breen's cause is highlighted.
How Victor C. Breen Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Victor C. Breen is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Victor C. Breen was killed by rifle; .30 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Mexico District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.
