John B. Arvizo

Gallup Police Department — Gallup, NM

Felonious

End of Watch September 11, 1965

Age 59

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Chief of Detectives John Arvizo was shot and killed while he and another detective were conducting a stakeout of a motor company. The detectives had received information that the facility would be burglarized that night and hid inside of the business. At approximately 4:00 am the suspects attacked the janitor and forced their way inside. As they attempted to cut a hole in a wall to get to the safe the officers identified themselves. Shots were exchanged and Chief of Detective Arvizo and one of the suspects were both fatally wounded. The second suspect escaped but was apprehended a short time later. He eventually plead guilty to several charged and was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. Chief of Detective Arvizo had been with the agency for 15 years. In 1989 the newly renovated Gallup Police Department was renamed in his honor.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-NM-716A9ECB
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.
Chief of Detectives Arvizo gave the Gallup Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallup community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Arvizo.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Gallup Police Department

Location Gallup, NM

Platform Identity gpd.mckinley.nm.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 11, 1965

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Chief of Detectives John B. Arvizo 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.

Gallup Police Department

of 5 officers

60% Felonious

NM — Statewide

123

of 193 officers

63.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious