Incident
Assistant Jailer Tranquilino Lopez was accidentally shot and killed by a town marshal who was bringing two suspects to jail.
Upon his arrival one of the suspects yelled to the jailer that the man had a gun. Jailer Lopez opened the door and immediately grabbed the marshal, thinking he was one of the prisoners. The marshal's weapon accidentally discharged, striking Jailer Lopez in the stomach.
Jailer Lopez had served with the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He as survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Assistant Jailer Lopez gave the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Las Cruces community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Jailer Lopez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Tranquilino is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Tranquilino is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tranquilino is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 1 officer in NM was lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1911, 42 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Tranquilino was 54. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Tranquilino had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tranquilino was 54. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Tranquilino had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tranquilino was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Tranquilino had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.5% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Sundays: 10.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Tranquilino among them.
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Aniceto Montoya Apr 28, 1876
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William L. Jerrell Feb 5, 1884
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John McLeod Jan 16, 1897
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Kent Kearney Jul 12, 1898
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Tranquilino Lopez Feb 19, 1911
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Ralph R. Higginbotham
May 30, 1952
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Robert P. Larson
Aug 24, 1982
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Carl Emanuel Vocale
Jul 15, 1989
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Ruben Valles Carbajal, Jr.
Aug 20, 1990
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Antonio Aleman
Jul 8, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




