Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joe Aven and Sergeant John Ramsey were killed in an automobile crash while en route to Sweetwater, Texas, to follow up on a perjury investigation. In addition to conducting the investigation, they were scheduled to stop in Seminole, Texas, to attend the funeral of the Gaines County sheriff. During the drive, another vehicle entered their travel lane while attempting to pass another car 15 miles west of Seminole, Texas. Sergeant Ramsey took evasive action and swerved to the right. At the same time, the oncoming car swerved to the left and the two vehicles collided head-on. Sergeant Ramsey was killed instantly and Patrolman Aven succumbed to his injuries the following day. The police chief of Hobbs, New Mexico, who was also riding with them was injured in the crash. Patrolman Aven was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the New Mexico State Police for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-4028A897- 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.
Patrolman Aven gave the New Mexico State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico, 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
Joe Taylor Aven, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Joe Taylor Aven, Jr. 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 New Mexico State Police, 18 of 29 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 62.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Taylor Aven, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joe Taylor Aven, Jr. Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Taylor Aven, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from New Mexico State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
