Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Damacio Montano was shot and killed when he and his brother, a New Mexico State Police officer, helped break up a fight at a Los Lunas restaurant at approximately 1:30 am.
Both brothers were off duty when the fight broke out in the restaurant at the intersection of Valencia Road and Route 47. They identified themselves as police officers and assisted the bouncers who took the two female suspects outside. They were standing outside when a man got out of a vehicle and opened fire with a handgun. Deputy Montano was fatally wounded and his brother was wounded in the hip. All three suspects, who were known gang members, were arrested in connection with Deputy Montano's murder.
On August 12th, 2003, the shooter was convicted of murdering Deputy Montano and of attempted murder of Deputy Montano's brother. He was sentenced to life plus 13 years.
Deputy Montano had served the Valencia County Sheriff's Office for 10 months. He had previously served with the Santa Rosa Police Department, Western New Mexico University Police Department, and Artesia Police Department for 16 additional months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-3AAE0B19- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Montano gave the Valencia County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Lunas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Montano.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Damacio S. Montano 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 Valencia County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Damacio S. Montano's cause is highlighted.
How Damacio S. Montano Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Damacio S. Montano is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Damacio S. Montano was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Valencia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
