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Incident
Senior Police Officer Robert Duran was killed in a vehicle crash while pursuing who was initially believed to be a carjacking suspect near mile marker 286 on I-25, south of the Old Pecos Trail exit.
Officers responding to the initial call of a carjacking and abduction located the vehicle near the intersection of Sawmill Road and St. Francis Drive. The driver led officers on a pursuit that went onto the interstate. As the vehicle continued to flee southbound, it crossed the median and continued driving southbound in the northbound lanes until colliding with an oncoming car. Two patrol cars were also involved in the crash.
Officer Duran and a retired firefighter driving the other vehicle were killed in the crash. The driver of the fleeing vehicle and another officer were injured. It was later determined that the woman driving had made up the story and had told the unwitting 911 caller she was being abducted. Further investigation revealed that the woman had been charged with making a similarly false report six months earlier.
Following the crash, she was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and numerous other felonies. In 2024, she was found guilty of two counts of murder and four felonies, receiving life sentences for each murder and an additional 60 years.
Officer Duran had served with the Santa Fe Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the Patrol Section and the Emergency Response Team.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
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.
Senior Police Officer Duran gave the Santa Fe Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Fe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Police Officer Duran.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Santa Fe Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 4 officers in NM were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 43. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 43. 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. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 3.4% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Wednesdays: 6.8%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Santa Fe Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 1.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Santa Fe Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Santa Fe Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
