In a tragic incident on Sunday evening, a police officer in New Mexico lost his life after being stabbed by a suspect during an on-duty altercation. The officer, identified as Las Cruces Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez, was responding to a trespassing call when he was attacked and sustained at least one stab wound.
The Las Cruces Police Department confirmed the incident in a statement on social media, noting that the assault occurred shortly before 5 p.m.
In the wake of the stabbing, a bystander who witnessed the attack utilized Hernandez’s police radio to summon emergency assistance.
Despite being rushed to MountainView Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, Officer Hernandez succumbed to his injuries. Coverage by CBS affiliate KDBC-TV captured the urgent efforts of first responders to transport both Hernandez and the assailant to medical facilities.
The assailant, a 29-year-old male, was reportedly shot dead by the same witness who intervened during the attack. Police have withheld the suspect’s name until his family is notified.
Officer Hernandez, who hailed from El Paso, Texas, had been a dedicated member of the Las Cruces Police Department for two years. He leaves behind a wife and two young sons. The police department has announced plans to release further details about the incident later in the week.
Located approximately 223 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 46 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces is now mourning the loss of one of its officers.
This incident comes at a time when national statistics from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund indicate a 39% decrease in the number of officers who died in the line of duty in 2023 compared to the previous year, with only one officer fatally stabbed among the 136 line-of-duty deaths reported last year.
City of Las Cruces is mourning the loss of one of it’s finest. God Bless him and his family. Sending prayers to his family. Rest in Peace brother. I hope the city cleans up the area where all of the homeless are camped out.
They are camped out all over town.
How many of our officer’s lives will it take for local mayors, councils and this horrible Gov to understand that soft on actual criminals is the problem as much as this ridiculous open border!?!
She wants New Mexico to be a little California. So she isn’t going to stop.
She needs to be impeached.
I just hope the precious bystander that intervened doesn’t end up charged in woke Las Cruces
Bless the officer’s family, with comfort and strength that only He can provide. Strengthen his fellow officers on the department. Being retired LE I understand the loss they will feel also.
And to think the Governor wishes to disarm the citizens ! Her liberal ways are reprehensible. Praise for the gentleman that intervened.
What the”media” fails to mention is the dead thug was an illegal alien. And you can expect woke Las Cruces will charge the citizen who dispatched the threat.
Officer Hernandez was a hero.
Waiting for MLG to say something about this tragedy.
Still want to defund the police, Gabe Vasquez?
Our lefty-loonie city government will blame the officer for “escalating the situation”. The bystander who took out the scumbag will be vilified, at least, if not prosecuted. The scumbag’s grieving family will sue the city, who will pay a huge settlement to avoid going to trial. Welcome to New Mexico.
Praying for his family, and grieving this loss.
Would banning knives and all sharp objects help?
😢
OK, Let’s get those knives out of the hands of those nasty criminal!!!!!
OK, and cars too as they kill a lot of people!!!!
And further more let’s ban all the politician as all they they screw things up and create problems for the rest of us!!!!!