Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal Jose Gonzales was stabbed to death by a drunk man whom he and a deputy marshal had attempted to take home. The man had been creating a disturbance in a bar across the street from the courthouse. Rather than arrest him, the marshals took him home. However, the man obtained a large knife and returned to the bar. As the marshals attempted to take him home again he pulled out the knife and stabbed Marshal Gonzales in the neck, severing his jugular. The subject fled but was arrested by the county sheriff at the railroad depot a short time later. The man was sentenced to 99 years in prison but was released after serving only 10 years because he developed cancer. He died shortly after being released.
Survivors
Marshal Gonzales had served in law enforcement for nine years, including serving four years as the sheriff of Guadalupe CountyHe was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-939CE6FB- 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.
Night Marshal Gonzales gave the Santa Rosa Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Rosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Gonzales.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal Jose Maria Gonzales 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jose Maria Gonzales's cause is highlighted.
How Jose Maria Gonzales Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 99 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jose Maria Gonzales is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jose Maria Gonzales was killed by edged weapon; knife.