UPDATE: An Alamogordo Police Officer was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday; Officer Clint Corvinus, a 4 ½ year veteran of the force.
Alamogordo Police Chief Daron Syling says two uniformed officers were conducting routine patrol in Alamogordo, when they encountered 38-year-old Joseph Moreno, and chased him on foot.
“At some point during the foot pursuit shots were fired,” Syling said. “The suspect Joseph Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene. Joseph Moreno had three active warrants for his arrest. During the incident Officer Clint Corvinus, 33 years of age, was struck by gunfire.”
Corvinus was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. He is survived by his parents, an 8-year-old daughter, and girlfriend.
Chief Syling says there are no know additional suspects, but law enforcement remains vigilant.
“The high presence of tactical teams to include police helicopters were requested,” Syling said. “Following direct threats made against law enforcement by known associates of the suspect. There are no additional suspects at this time.”
Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss says he was saddened by the incident and offered his condolences and gratitude to Officer Corvinus’ family.
“Living in a small town near the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains,” Boss said. “And away from the chaos of the big city life, we sometimes forget the potential violence and hazards our police officers face on a daily basis.”
He also offered his sympathy to the family of the suspect of Joseph Moreno.
Alamogordo Resident Paul Olivent left flowers at the Police Station and paid his respects to Officer Corvinus.
“It’s senseless,” Olivent said. “Those guys do such a good job in this city, and all around the country. They do a great job.”
Police Chief Daron Syling says residents will not see a lapse in police coverage, and local surrounding agencies will be responding to calls to give the department time to grieve.
“Obviously it is a tragic loss for us,” Syling said. “We will hold the line. And we will honor our officer.”
The shooting comes less than a month after Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez was shot and killed during a traffic stop.
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Police say a New Mexico police officer was shot and killed after he encountered a 38-year-old man with three active warrants out for his arrest and the suspect opened fire.
Alamogordo police said at a news conference that the suspect, Joseph Moreno, also was killed when gunfire erupted Friday during a foot pursuit. Police did not say who shot Moreno, and it wasn't clear if there were other officers involved in the pursuit.
The officer killed was identified as Clint Corvinus, a four-year veteran of the Alamogordo police force who went to high school in the town about 200 miles south of Albuquerque. Authorities say he is survived by his parents, girlfriend and an 8-year-old daughter.
The shooting Friday comes three weeks after authorities say an Ohio fugitive gunned down Officer Jose Chavez during a traffic stop in the village of Hatch.
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1:10 p.m.
Gov. Susana Martinez says a police officer in a New Mexico town has been killed in what marks the second on-duty death of an officer in the state in less than a month.
In a statement, the governor says she was saddened by the officer's death and that violence against law enforcement in the state must end.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports state and local authorities were investigating the shooting in Alamogordo on Friday that happened near a residential area around 8:30 a.m.
Authorities have not identified the officer or a suspect, or released other details of their investigation.
The officer's death comes three weeks after authorities say an Ohio fugitive gunned down Officer Jose Chavez during a traffic stop in the village of Hatch.
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12:15 p.m.
State and local authorities are investigating a shooting in Alamogordo, a rural town in southern New Mexico.
The Alamogordo Daily News (http://bit.ly/2c08W7M ) reports that the shooting happened around 8:30 a.m. Friday. Authorities have not identified suspects in the shooting or released any other details stemming from their investigation.
The newspaper reports that local and state police were investigating the shooting at an Alamogordo intersection that's near a residential area, and Alamogordo High School was placed on lockdown as a safety precaution.
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