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Incident
Special Town Marshal Clemente Salazar was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight during the San Lorenzo Festival. Several men got into a fight at a dance, and when Marshal Salazar attempted to break it up, he was attacked. He was beaten, stabbed, and shot twice. His gun was also stolen and never recovered. A man was apprehended and charged with Marshal Salazar's murder. In March of 1951, the suspect, 24, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 50 to 70 years. He was released in lieu of a 20,000 bond while the New Mexico Supreme Court considered his appeal. A month later, he was arrested for receiving stolen property. A month after that, he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after he hit a man in the head with a large rock. He was immediately sent to prison and lost his appeal. He was paroled on April 21, 1970. Marshal Salazar was survived by his wife and four children. He was buried in Bernalillo Cemetery, Bernalillo, New Mexico.
Survivors
Marshal Salazar was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Town Marshal Salazar served with the Bernalillo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bernalillo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Town Marshal Salazar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clemente is the only officer of Bernalillo Police Department remembered here.
Clemente is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Clemente is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clemente is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clemente was 36. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37.
Clemente was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Clemente was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 11.4% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Fridays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bernalillo Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
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