Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Lowell Howard and Patrolman David Smith were killed in an airplane accident while performing an aerial speed enforcement operation above Route 550 (modern-day Route 516) near the entrance to Farmington Lake. After the operation ended, the officers radioed that they were going to fly over the enforcement zone one last time. As they did so, one of the aircraft wheels struck a powerline, causing the Cessna R172E to strike the ground. Both officers were killed instantly. Patrolman Howard had served with the New Mexico State Police for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-904876B8- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Lowell. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Howard gave the New Mexico State Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Howard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Lowell D. Howard 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. Lowell D. Howard's cause is highlighted.
How Lowell D. Howard Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Lowell D. Howard 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.
