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Incident
Officer Vickie Chavez was shot and killed while conducting a vacation check of a local residence at 11:15 am. When she arrived at the house, the owner's son emerged from the residence with a shotgun and opened fire, shooting her before she had an opportunity to exit her patrol car. The suspect was arrested 1 1/2 hours later, near the Colorado border. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Chavez had served with the Farmington Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Officer Chavez gave the Farmington Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Farmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Chavez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Farmington Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Victoria is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Victoria is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Victoria 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 1992, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1992, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1992, 97 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Victoria was 39. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Victoria had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Victoria was 39. 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. Victoria had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Victoria was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Victoria had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Farmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Her people
Farmington Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Victoria among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Farmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
