Prev
Incident
Patrolman Damon Talbott and Patrolman Ramon Solis were killed in a helicopter crash while participating in a training exercise in an Aerospatiale AS-350-B2 medical helicopter near Roswell, New Mexico.
The two officers, and a third member of the New Mexico State Police, were riding on the hospital-owned helicopter in order to learn procedures on how to set up landing zones at the scene of medical emergencies. It is believed the helicopter experienced a mechanical failure and crashed, killing the officers, and injuring the other occupants.
Patrolman Talbott and Patrolman Solis had both served with the New Mexico State Police for ten months after graduating from the same academy class.
Patrolman Talbott is survived by his parents and sister.
Survivors
Patrolman Talbott is survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnj6q07knwgnv14zb3gm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Damon. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Talbott served with the New Mexico State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Talbott.
— 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.
Damon is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Damon is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Damon is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers at New Mexico State Police were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 4 officers in NM were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Damon was 21. 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. Damon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Damon was 21. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Damon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Damon was 21. 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. Damon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Damon was 21. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Damon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.1% of these deaths at New Mexico State Police; August holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 16.7%.
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Fridays: 22%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Mexico State Police has 29 officers remembered here, Damon among them.
-
Walter G. Taber
Sep 28, 1937
-
Leslie Delbert Bugg
Aug 21, 1946
-
William T. Speight
Feb 24, 1949
-
Nash Phillip Garcia
Apr 11, 1952
-
John Carl Ramsey
Aug 5, 1953
-
Joe Taylor Aven, Jr.
Aug 6, 1953
-
Robert E. Lee
Aug 16, 1960
-
James Edward Clark
Sep 19, 1960
-
Bennie D. Williams
Jul 9, 1963
-
Antonio Jaramillo
Feb 2, 1965
-
Robert Romero
Sep 30, 1967
-
Robert Rosenbloom
Nov 8, 1971
-
David L. Coker
Nov 18, 1979
-
Richard C Gomez
Apr 17, 1980
-
Lowell D. Howard
Aug 6, 1984
-
David M. Smith
Aug 6, 1984
-
Manuel Olivas
Feb 1, 1985
-
Sherman L. Toler, Jr.
Mar 5, 1986
-
Wayne George Allison
Feb 13, 1988
-
Glen Michael Huber
Jan 26, 1991
-
Lloyd R. Aragon, Sr.
Aug 1, 2001
-
Damon Talbott
Oct 19, 2001
-
Ramon Robert Solis
Oct 19, 2001
-
James Andres Archuleta
Jun 4, 2006
-
Christopher Mirabal
Jun 13, 2007
-
Michael C. Avilucea
May 30, 2008
-
Andrew Francis Tingwall
Jun 11, 2009
-
Darian Rey Jarrott
Feb 4, 2021
-
Justin Hare
Mar 15, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from New Mexico State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
