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Incident
Constable Anecito Montoya was killed by a group of men who started a disturbance at a local dance.
When Constable Montoya arrived at the dance to break up the disturbance, he was beaten with clubs. Two hours after returning to his home, the group of men forced their way into his house, beat him again, and slashed his throat.
The subjects were captured. Two were pardoned by the governor. One escaped custody but was captured 20 years later and sentenced to 99 years in prison.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Montoya served with the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Las Cruces community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Aniceto is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Aniceto is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Aniceto is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 1 officer at Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1876, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1876, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 33.3%.
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Fridays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Aniceto 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 18-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
