Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Antonio Valdez was shot and killed during the escape attempt of a murder suspect. Two men entered the West Las Vegas Jail and asked to visit the suspect. As Sheriff Valdez brought the men to see the murder suspect one of the two men drew a gun and ordered Sheriff Valdez to hand over the keys to the cells. When he refused they shot him and took the keys. They passed the keys over to the murder suspect, but he declined to leave and stayed in his cell. The two men then fled. Two separate posses searched for the killers of Sheriff Valdez. On December 24, 1880 one of the suspects rode into Stinking Springs with the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid, where he was captured along with Billy the Kid and his gang. The captured suspect was sentenced to death for killing Sheriff Valdez, but escaped before he could be executed. In 1886 the suspect was beaten to death by an angry mob after he shot and killed two men over a card game. It is believed the suspect was a member of the Billy the Kid Gang which brought about five deaths. An accomplice of the suspect also killed a town marshal in 1884. It is believed that the second suspect died in 1886.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-B4D85AB0- 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
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Valdez served with the San Miguel County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Las Vegas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Antonio Lino Valdez 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 San Miguel County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 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. Antonio Lino Valdez's cause is highlighted.
How Antonio Lino Valdez Compares
Offender Outcome
One sentenced to death, but escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Antonio Lino Valdez is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Antonio Lino Valdez was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Miguel County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
