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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Peter Herrera succumbed to wounds sustained when he was shot after pulling over a vehicle in San Elizario at 1:50 am.
He had stopped the vehicle for a registration violation near the corner of Chicken Ranch Road and Socorro Road. He approached the car and asked the driver to step out. As the driver exited the vehicle, he fired 15 rounds, striking Deputy Herrera multiple times. Deputy Herrara did not have an opportunity to draw his own weapon.
A civilian and members of the U.S. Border Patrol and El Paso County Sheriff's Office provided aid to Deputy Herrera. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The driver and the passenger fled the scene in the vehicle, but it stalled out several blocks away. The two then fled on foot but were located and apprehended a short time later by responding deputies. The passenger pled guilty to manslaughter, and she was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The subject who shot Deputy Herrera was convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to death.
Deputy Herrera had served with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Herrera gave the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Herrera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 1 officer at El Paso County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2019, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Peter was 35. Of the 6 killed feloniously at El Paso County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51.8; the middle age was 40. Peter had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Peter was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Peter had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Peter was 35. 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. Peter had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Peter was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Peter had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 16.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
