Roll of Honor
Robert Walter Hedman
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Hedman was shot and killed after responding to a call of a domestic dispute at a home on U.S. 82 10 miles east of Cloudcroft.
He and another deputy responded to the dispute at approximately 7:00 pm. The deputies noticed blood on the floor at the entryway to the residence. They made contact with a male resident and a 3-year-old girl, but the man slammed and locked the door.
Deputy Hedman's partner took cover as Deputy Hedman went to the back of the home. The man opened fire on Deputy Hedman at the rear of the home, fatally wounding him. The man then returned to the front of the home, where he engaged the other deputy in a shootout. The man was shot and killed by the return gunfire from Deputy Hedman's partner.
The body of a woman who was murdered by the man earlier in the evening was found inside the home.
Deputy Hedman was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Otero County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had previously served with the Tularosa Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, and the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety.
He is buried in Monte Vista Cemetery, Alamogordo, Otero County, New Mexico.
Deputy Hedman was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Otero County Sheriff's Department for three years. He had previously served with the Tularosa Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, and the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-FD1AAA25- 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 Robert. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Hedman gave the Otero County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alamogordo community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Walter Hedman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Walter Hedman 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 Otero County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 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. Robert Walter Hedman's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Walter Hedman Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Walter Hedman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Walter Hedman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Otero County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
