Sherman L. Toler, Jr.

New Mexico State Police — Santa Fe, NM

Felonious

End of Watch March 5, 1986

Age 28

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

The Vigil Panel 130 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 28

Incident

Patrolman Sherman Toler was shot and killed with his own weapon during a traffic stop on I-40 in Tucumcari. During the stop he requested to search the trunk of the suspect's vehicle and was granted permission. During the search the suspect and Patrolman Toler began to argue and a struggle ensued in which both men fell to the ground. The suspect gained control of Patrolman Toler's .357 caliber revolver, stood up, and shot Patrolman Toler five times at a range of five feet. Patrolman Toler's vest stopped several of the rounds. He then got up as well and pulled out a boot knife to defend himself, at which point the suspect struck him in the head with the revolver. The suspect sped away but later turned himself in. It was determined that the suspect had his vehicle searched earlier in the day by another New Mexico State Police officer and had a history of fighting with police. He previously convicted of shooting a California officer during a traffic stop. The suspect was convicted of second voluntary manslaughter in connection with Patrolman Toler's murder. The man was sentenced to 17 years but was released after serving only eight years. Patrolman Toler had served with the New Mexico State Police for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NM-934BFDED
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.
Patrolman Toler gave the New Mexico State Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Toler.

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

Agency

Department New Mexico State Police

Location Santa Fe, NM

Platform Identity nmsp.nm.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 5, 1986

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Convicted of voluntary manslaughter

Patrolman Sherman L. Toler, Jr. 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 New Mexico State Police, 10 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Mexico State Police

of 29 officers

34.5% Felonious

NM — Statewide

123

of 193 officers

63.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious