Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy Rufus Dunnahoo was shot and killed while investigating the theft of car parts.
Chief Deputy Dunnahoo, accompanied by the sheriff and a deputy, were searching a house near Dexter when a male produced a .380 caliber handgun.
As the chief and the sheriff struggled to disarm the male, the male fired a shot, striking Chief Deputy Dunnahoo in the neck.
The suspect was apprehended after a short foot chase. He was initially convicted of murdering Chief Deputy Dunnahoo and sentenced from 40 to 90 years in prison. He won a second trial on appeal and was sentenced to only 5 years for manslaughter.
Chief Deputy Dunnahoo had served with the Chaves County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-72E9BBB8- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief Deputy Dunnahoo gave the Chaves County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Roswell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Dunnahoo.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy Rufus Dunnahoo 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 Chaves County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rufus Dunnahoo's cause is highlighted.
How Rufus Dunnahoo Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rufus Dunnahoo is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rufus Dunnahoo was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chaves County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
