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Incident
Sergeant Jake Ramsey and Joe Patrolman Aven were killed in an automobile crash while en route to Sweetwater, Texas, to follow up on a perjury investigation. In addition to conducting the investigation, they were scheduled to stop in Seminole, Texas, to attend the funeral of the Gaines County sheriff. During the drive, another vehicle entered their travel lane while attempting to pass another car 15 miles west of Seminole, Texas. Sergeant Ramsey took evasive action and swerved to the right. At the same time, the oncoming car swerved to the left, and the two vehicles collided head-on. Sergeant Ramsey was killed instantly, and Patrolman Aven succumbed to his injuries the following day. The police chief of Hobbs, New Mexico, who was also riding with them, was injured in the crash. Sergeant Ramsey had served with the New Mexico State Police for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Sergeant Ramsey gave the New Mexico State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ramsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Mexico State Police has lost 29 officers; 18 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 2 officers at New Mexico State Police were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1953, 2 officers in NM were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 39. Of the 18 lost to accidents at New Mexico State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 31. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 39. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at New Mexico State Police, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
August holds 18.6% of these deaths in NM, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 6.8%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 62.1% of all 29 deaths at New Mexico State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Mexico State Police has 29 officers remembered here, John 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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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