Incident
Patrolman Manuel Olivas was struck and killed by a drunk driver while investigating an earlier accident on I-25 near the Pecos River Bridge in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He was struck while taking measurements at the accident scene. The suspect continued driving but was later arrested during a police search of the area. The man was charged with vehicular homicide. Patrolman Olivas had been in law enforcement for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. His wife gave birth to his son only three months after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Olivas 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 Olivas.
— 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.
Manuel is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Manuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Manuel 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 1985, 1 officer at New Mexico State Police was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1985, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Manuel was 32. 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. Manuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Manuel was 32. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Manuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Manuel was 32. 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. Manuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Manuel was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Manuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at New Mexico State Police; November holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 30%.
February holds 14.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% 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 automobile, 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 automobile, in 4.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
New Mexico State Police has 29 officers remembered here, Manuel 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 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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