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Incident
Undersheriff Rudy Sanchez was shot and killed after responding to a fight at the Navajo Trail Bar and Cafe at Fort Garland. Fort Garland officers requested assistance from Undersheriff Sanchez on the disturbance at the tavern between band members and the owner around 1:00 a.m. When the argument was moved outside, Undersheriff Sanchez was shot with a .22 caliber pistol. Another police officer was stabbed, and a third officer survived a gunshot wound to his chest. Four suspects fled the scene and were later arrested in New Mexico. One of the suspects was tried but was found not guilty. Deputy Sanchez had served with the Costilla County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Undersheriff Sanchez gave the Costilla County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the San Luis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Sanchez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Costilla County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Rudolpho is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Rudolpho is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rudolpho 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 1973, 6 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rudolpho was 28. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Rudolpho had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Rudolpho was 28. 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. Rudolpho had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rudolpho was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rudolpho had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Costilla County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% 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.
His people
Costilla County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Rudolpho among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Costilla County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.