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Incident
Lieutenant Michael Avilucea was killed in an automobile crash in Rio Arriba County while returning from an operation in which he had assisted with recovering explosives.
His patrol car rolled over on US 84, three miles south of Tierra Amarilla, as he returned to his normal duty station.
Lieutenant Avilucea had served with the New Mexico State Police for over 26 years and was the commander of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
Survivors
He is survived by his son and brother.
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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Avilucea gave the New Mexico State Police 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Mexico. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Avilucea.
— 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.
Michael is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 1 officer at New Mexico State Police was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1953, with 2.
In 2008, 1 officer in NM was lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 2008, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2008, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 51. 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. Michael had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Michael was 51. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 51. 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. Michael had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 5.6% of these deaths at New Mexico State Police; August holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 16.7%.
May holds 5.1% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Fridays: 22%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Mexico State Police has 29 officers remembered here, Michael 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 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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