LAPD officers at Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Jess Randleman, far left, and Emily Wolking Friday morning with members of Trail Life Troop NM-1412 and American Heritage Girls Troop NM-1412 during the LAPD ceremony honoring fallen officers. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Pastor David Taylor says the opening prayers, watched by Sgt. David Randleman at Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos Police Department Chief Dino speaks at Friday’s annual memorial for fallen officers. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
American Heritage Girls supervise the distribution of flowers for placement at the memorial outside LAPD. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Sgt. David Randleman emcees Friday’s memorial ceremony. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Scene from Friday’s memorial ceremony at the Los Alamos Justice Center. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
In his address, Chief Sgambellone noted that in 2025, 111 officers across thenation died in the line of duty.
“Firearms related incidents were the leading cause of death, claiming the lives of 44 officers. On average these fallen heroes were 44 years old and had dedicated 14 years to public service and left behind two children. Among the fallen were 102 male officers and 9 female officers,” he said.
This tragic toll includes two of New Mexico’s own.
Officer Timothy Ontiveros. Courtesy photo
Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros succumbed to injuries sustained during a traffic stop on Jordan Street in Bloomfield in May 2025. After an extended negotiation with a with a non-compliant driver, the subject opened fire, striking the officer. Despite emergency medical transport to Farmington and subsequent airlift to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, Officer Ontiveros passed away on June 1, 2025. In his final act of service, he saved lives as an organ donor. He had served with the Bloomfield Police Department for six month and previously spent a year with Farmington Police Department and was a volunteer firefighter in Aztec. He is survived by his daughters.
Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman. Courtesy photo
Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman was killed while on duty in an automobile crash on eastbound Interstate 10 near Las Cruces. His patrol collided with the rear of a semi-truck and he succumbed to his injuries at Mountainview Regional Medical Center. He had faithfully served the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office for four years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Sgt. Michael Schlattman. Courtesy photo
“The danger remains ever-present. As of this morning, 42 officers have already died in the line of duty this year, including Sgt. Michael Schlattman of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, who was killed in February,” Chief Sgambellone said.
The local memorial specifically honors Los Alamos citizens who stepped forward to serve in other jurisdictions and paid the ultimate price, Chief Sgambellone said. noting that Officer Anthony Holly was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Glendale, Arizona on February 9, 2007 and Officer (Pilot) Carl “Rick” Telafous was killed in a helicopter crash in Hortense, Georgia in 1993.
Police Officer Anthony Jon Holly/Courtesy photo
Officer/Pilot Carl ‘Rick’ Telafous. Courtesy photo
“To ensure their legacies are permanently and properly honored, we are actively working to establish a new police memorial here in Los Alamos, which we look forward to dedicating by next year’s ceremony. May we never forget their sacrifice,” he said.