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Incident
Patrolman Nash Garcia was killed after stopping a car near U.S. 66 in the Acoma Indian Reservation 18 miles east of Grants, New Mexico. The two suspects had prior dealings with Patrolman Garcia and intentionally violated several traffic laws in order to have Patrolman Garcia attempt to follow them. The suspects drove onto a dirt road in a mountainous area on Sandstone Mesa where they set up an ambush. As Patrolman Garcia came around a bend, he was shot by one of the two and then beaten to death. They placed his body in his car and drove it into a patch of trees. They returned the next night and set the vehicle on fire. The suspects, brothers 28 and 31, were sentenced to death. In 1953 they were granted new trials, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. Patrolman Garcia had served in law enforcement for ten years. He was survived by his wife and three daughters. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Garcia gave the New Mexico State Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Garcia.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Mexico State Police has lost 29 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Nash is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Nash is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nash is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 1 officer at New Mexico State Police was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1952, 3 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nash was 39. Of the 10 killed feloniously at New Mexico State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 35; the middle age was 31.5. Nash had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Nash was 39. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Nash had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nash was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Nash had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nash was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nash had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at New Mexico State Police; November holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 30%.
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Fridays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 34.5% of all 29 deaths at New Mexico State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
New Mexico State Police has 29 officers remembered here, Nash among them.
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Walter G. Taber
Sep 28, 1937
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Leslie Delbert Bugg
Aug 21, 1946
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William T. Speight
Feb 24, 1949
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Nash Phillip Garcia
Apr 11, 1952
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John Carl Ramsey
Aug 5, 1953
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Joe Taylor Aven, Jr.
Aug 6, 1953
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Robert E. Lee
Aug 16, 1960
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James Edward Clark
Sep 19, 1960
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Bennie D. Williams
Jul 9, 1963
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Antonio Jaramillo
Feb 2, 1965
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Robert Romero
Sep 30, 1967
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Robert Rosenbloom
Nov 8, 1971
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David L. Coker
Nov 18, 1979
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Richard C Gomez
Apr 17, 1980
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Lowell D. Howard
Aug 6, 1984
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David M. Smith
Aug 6, 1984
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Manuel Olivas
Feb 1, 1985
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Sherman L. Toler, Jr.
Mar 5, 1986
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Wayne George Allison
Feb 13, 1988
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Glen Michael Huber
Jan 26, 1991
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Lloyd R. Aragon, Sr.
Aug 1, 2001
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Damon Talbott
Oct 19, 2001
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Ramon Robert Solis
Oct 19, 2001
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James Andres Archuleta
Jun 4, 2006
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Christopher Mirabal
Jun 13, 2007
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Michael C. Avilucea
May 30, 2008
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Andrew Francis Tingwall
Jun 11, 2009
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Darian Rey Jarrott
Feb 4, 2021
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Justin Hare
Mar 15, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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