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Incident
Sergeant Barney Montoya was killed when his patrol vehicle was struck by a 19-year-old youth who ran a stop sign at Boardman Drive and East Aztec in Gallup.
The subject was arrested and released on a written promise to appear in court. He was convicted of manslaughter and put on 3 years probation with the condition that he pay Sergeant Montoya's wife $75.00 a week for three years.
Sergeant Montoya had served with the Gallup Police Department for 18 years. He was a widower and survived by his two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Montoya gave the Gallup Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallup community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Montoya.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gallup Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Barney is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Barney is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Barney 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 1977, 2 officers in NM were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Barney 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. Barney had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Barney 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. Barney had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Barney was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Barney had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.9% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Sundays: 10.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Gallup Police Department, the 2nd 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
Gallup Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Barney among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gallup Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
