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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Antonio Valdez was shot and killed during the escape attempt of a murder suspect. Two men entered the West Las Vegas Jail and asked to visit the suspect. As Sheriff Valdez brought the men to see the murder suspect one of the two men drew a gun and ordered Sheriff Valdez to hand over the keys to the cells. When he refused they shot him and took the keys. They passed the keys over to the murder suspect, but he declined to leave and stayed in his cell. The two men then fled. Two separate posses searched for the killers of Sheriff Valdez. On December 24, 1880 one of the suspects rode into Stinking Springs with the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid, where he was captured along with Billy the Kid and his gang. The captured suspect was sentenced to death for killing Sheriff Valdez, but escaped before he could be executed. In 1886 the suspect was beaten to death by an angry mob after he shot and killed two men over a card game. It is believed the suspect was a member of the Billy the Kid Gang which brought about five deaths. An accomplice of the suspect also killed a town marshal in 1884. It is believed that the second suspect died in 1886.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Valdez served with the San Miguel County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Las Vegas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Miguel County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Antonio is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Antonio is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Antonio 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 1880, 3 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1880, 38 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1880, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Mondays: 11.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at San Miguel County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Miguel County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Antonio among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Miguel County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
