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Incident
Lieutenant Joseph Silva was killed when he was assaulted by a prisoner for whom he had written a disciplinary report for possessing a shank. After the prisoner was found guilty by a review board he asked to speak with Lieutenant Silva in his office in the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility near Las Cruces. Other officers were alerted to a problem when Lieutenant Silva pressed the emergency button on his radio and found him bleeding from the head and a two-by-four on the floor nearby. The prisoner was convicted of the murder and had 18 months added to his two life sentences. Lieutenant Silva had served with the New Mexico Corrections Department for four years but had been in law enforcement with several agencies beforehand.
Survivors
He was survived by his 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.
Lieutenant Silva gave the New Mexico Corrections Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Fe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Silva.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Mexico Corrections Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 29. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
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 80% of all 5 deaths at New Mexico Corrections Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 0.8% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
New Mexico Corrections Department has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from New Mexico Corrections Department are honored on badge.nw.
