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Incident
Police Officer Michael King and Police Officer Richard Smith were shot and killed while attempting to take a man into custody for a mental health evaluation.
The officers located the man at an address near the intersection of Ash Street SE and Gold Avenue SE. They were fired upon immediately upon arriving at the scene. Officer King was killed instantly, Officer Smith was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect, 48, fled the scene on a motorcycle but was located approximately two hours later. He was injured when the motorcycle crashed as officers attempted to stop him. The suspect was charged with murdering Officer King and Officer Smith. He was also charged with two murders that had been committed earlier in the evening at a local motorcycle store at a fifth murder of a New Mexico Department of Transportation worker that had occurred that morning.
The suspect, 48, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia was later found incompetent to stand trial. He was sentenced to 179 years in a state mental institution. If he is ever found competent, preparations for a trial will begin. On January 20, 2022, he was still deemed incompetent.
Officer King had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-2JE9-PJTJ-3earlier record number BO-US-NM-C5255D5A- Stewardship
- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer King gave the Albuquerque Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer King.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albuquerque Police Department has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers at Albuquerque Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2005, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 50. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Albuquerque Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 35.5. Michael had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 50. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Michael had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 50. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 50. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 23.1% of these deaths at Albuquerque Police Department; February holds the most, 30.8%. Thursdays: 30.8%.
August holds 11.4% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Albuquerque Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 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 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Albuquerque Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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E. D. Henry
Nov 20, 1886
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Robert McGuire
Nov 26, 1886
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Alexander Knapp Jan 15, 1912
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Donald W. Redfern
Aug 15, 1951
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Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.
Dec 1, 1954
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Richard Armijo
Sep 30, 1958
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Max R. Oldham
Feb 21, 1959
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Philip H. Chacon
Sep 10, 1980
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Gerald Eugene Cline
Feb 24, 1983
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Kenneth Shawn McWethy
Feb 1, 1986
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John Arthur Carrillo
Feb 22, 1987
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Jeffrey Cole Russell
Jan 8, 2002
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Michael R. King
Aug 18, 2005
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Richard W. Smith, Jr.
Aug 18, 2005
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Daniel Scott Webster
Oct 29, 2015
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Albuquerque Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
