Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Joe Harris was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a burglary suspect along New Mexico 126 at approximately 6:45 am. He and another deputy were conducting a stakeout due to a rash of recent cabin burglaries in the area.
The deputies attempted to take the man into custody when they observed him breaking into a home. Sergeant Harris and the suspect were both fatally wounded in the ensuing shootout.
An investigation revealed that the killer had fled to Canada during the Vietnam War to avoid the draft. He was wanted in British Columbia, Canada, for a 1972 double murder of two campers.
Sergeant Harris had served with the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously retired from the Rio Rancho Police Department after 20 years of service.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children and is buried at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-931FBECB- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Harris gave the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bernalillo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Joseph Anthony Harris, Sr. 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 Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Anthony Harris, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Anthony Harris, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Anthony Harris, Sr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Anthony Harris, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sandoval County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
