Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Gilbert Montoya was shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity at the Moriarty Trading Company store in the 500 block of Center Avenue. He had been called at home by the merchant who saw a car parked outside of the store. While questioning two suspects outside, another suspect inside of the store opened fire with a .22 caliber revolver, striking Officer Montoya in the back of the head. The suspects then stole Officer Montoya's gun and fled the scene. A tip from an anonymous source led to the arrest of the suspects two days later. All three were charged with Officer Montoya's murder. The charges were dropped against one of the suspects and another was acquitted. The gunman was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to two to 10 years in prison. He received an additional two to 10 years for breaking into the store and escaping from jail while he was awaiting trial. He was paroled in 1974. On July 1st, 1999, he murdered two men in Albuquerque. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. Officer Montoya was a U.S. Army veteran and had served in law enforcement for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-4DB9A50A- 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.
Police Officer Montoya gave the Moriarty Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Moriarty 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
Gilbert Montoya served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Gilbert Montoya 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gilbert Montoya's cause is highlighted.
How Gilbert Montoya Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gilbert Montoya is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gilbert Montoya was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.