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Incident
Sheriff Steve Ackerman was killed in a single vehicle crash on Highway 285, near Encino, in Torrance County.
He was driving to Santa Fe on official business to join other sheriffs from throughout the state as they met with the state legislature.
Sheriff Ackerman had served with the Lea County Sheriff's Office for 14 years and had previously served with the Lea County Detention Center for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and children.
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.
Sheriff Ackerman gave the Lea County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Lovington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ackerman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lea County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Stephen is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stephen 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 2017, 1 officer in NM was lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Stephen was 46. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Stephen had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stephen was 46. 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. Stephen had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stephen was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Stephen had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 10.2% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Tuesdays: 22%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Lea County Sheriff's Office, 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
Lea County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Stephen among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lea County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
