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Incident
Sergeant Matthew Moreno was killed in a vehicle crash on Highway 12, near Valdez while responding to a domestic incident at 8:00 pm.
Sergeant Moreno's patrol pickup and a second patrol vehicle both collided with a vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction. Sergeant Moreno and the two occupants of the other vehicle, including an infant, all succumbed to their injuries. A deputy in Sergeant Moreno's vehicle and the deputy in the second patrol car were both injured.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle that struck them was driving 96 mph in a 45 mph zone and its driver had twice the legal limit of alcohol as well as oxycontin.
Sergeant Moreno had served with the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters, a stepson, his parents, sister, and other family members.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Moreno gave the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Moreno.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew 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 2018, 1 officer at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1896, with 2.
In 2018, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 37. Of the 3 killed feloniously at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38.5 and 45.5; the middle age was 40. Matthew had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Matthew was 37. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Matthew had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Matthew was 37. 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. Matthew had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 42.9%. Wednesdays: 42.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 2.5% 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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Las Animas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
