Thousands gathered at New Mexico State University to remember Officer Jose Chavez. Hatch Mayor Andy Nunez discussed the way Officer Chavez impacted the Hatch Community.
“Officer Chavez was one of our own,” Nunez said. “And practically everyone in Hatch knew him because he was that type of Officer. He would visit with the citizens of Hatch, and was extremely liked and thought well of. He would help anyone that needed it. He was an exceptional law officer, and the village was very fortunate to have located him and convinced him to come to Hatch to serve with us.”
Kelly Jameson read a letter on behalf of the Hatch Police Chief with stories of him as an officer, including his work with animals.
“He was instrumental in developing a strategy with Dona Ana County Animal Control for dealing with stray animals in the Hatch area,” Jameson said. “A lot of Hatch police officer would probably have been a little irritated with being assigned the duties of dog catcher along with the normal police duties but not Jose. He had an affinity for animals that ran deep, in fact some of the people in Hatch even called him the Chihuahua whisperer.”
Bishop Oscar Cantu of the Diocese of Las Cruces offered a prayer for the family, while discussing what mattered most to Officer Chavez, as he repeated his last words.
“Tell my mother that I love her,” Cantu said. “Tell my family that I love them. When his voice should not have been audible. He spoke clear and audible words of love. In his final moments he was thinking of love.”
Congressman Steve Pearce spoke of the importance of honoring law enforcement officers.
“Today we remember and thank all of the shepherds in uniform around the world and here,” Pearce said. “Those men and women who let us sleep soundly in the comfort that our families are safe. I am here today in a belief that a grateful community must join together to honor sacrifices like these like Officer Chavez’s sacrifice and the families loss.”
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez says she has faith the community will come together in this time of tragedy.
“I know how tight knit our communities can be here in Southern New Mexico,” Martinez said. “And as I look around the room and see so many familiar faces, people I’ve worked with. I know that everyone will pull together to lift you and your family and friends, and pull you up with their love, and their prayers, and their support.”
Officer Chavez leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
