Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Larry Mitchell was shot and killed while attempting to enter the mobile home of a barricaded man at approximately 6 am.
Officer Mitchell and six other SWAT team members were fired upon entering the house. Officer Mitchell was struck in the side just above his vest. A second officer was also shot, but his vest stopped the round.
Officers had initially responded to the home after reports of gunfire following a domestic dispute. After barricading himself in the home, the man fired shots from the house throughout the night. The suspect eventually surrendered approximately four hours after shooting Officer Mitchell.
On August 28, 2004, the suspect pled guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.
Officer Mitchell had served with the Gallup Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-30626D28- 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 Larry. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Mitchell gave the Gallup Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallup community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mitchell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Larry Brian Mitchell 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 Gallup Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Larry Brian Mitchell's cause is highlighted.
How Larry Brian Mitchell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 34 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Larry Brian Mitchell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Larry Brian Mitchell was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gallup Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
