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Incident
Marshal Roy Woofter succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day when he and other officers attempted to arrest a man for selling illegal alcohol from his home. The subject let the officers into his home and then barricaded himself in another room. He shot Marshal Woofter through a window. The 36-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to death. In 1913 the New Mexico Supreme Court granted him a new trial. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was pardoned by Acting Governor Antonio Lucero on December 21, 1918, with the condition that he leave New Mexico and never return. Marshal Woofter had served with the Roswell Police Department as Marshal for one year and previously served with the Albia Police Department in Iowa and in West Virginia. He was survived by his wife. He is buried in Oakview Cemetery in Albia, Iowa.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Woofter gave the Roswell Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roswell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Woofter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roy is the only officer of Roswell Police Department remembered here.
Roy is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy 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 1911, 3 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 31. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 31. 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. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Saturdays: 17.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Roswell Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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