Las Cruces patrol officer fatally stabbed by criminal with long, violent history

LAS CRUCES, NM - Armando Silva, 29, murdered Las Cruces Officer Jonah Hernandez in the line of duty this past weekend with a fatal stab to the chest, marking the first on-duty death of an officer in the department's 96-year history. Silva, who reportedly had a lengthy criminal history, was subsequently shot and killed by a good samaritan who called for help on the fallen officer's radio.

According to ABC News, the incident began with a call that Silva was trespassing on private property at a Las Cruces business Sunday afternoon. Las Cruces Chief Jeremy Story told a Tuesday news conference that Hernandez was dispatched by himself and was attacked by Silva, who was wielding a large kitchen knife.

The 35-year-old officer suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest before a witness ran to their car and retrieved a firearm. They then proceeded to fatally shoot Silva.

“We will mourn the loss of our brother forever,” Story told reporters. “The loss of Jonah is also a reminder of the dangers officers face every day. On every call, there is a potential for tragedy,”

The police chief then described that Silva had a long and violent criminal history. “He was convicted of serious violent crimes and spent some time in prison," he said, adding "He violated his probation and parole multiple times.”

The outlet reported that per court documents, Silva was sentenced to three years in prison most recently after pleading guilty in a domestic violence case, and in 2019 he cut off his GPS bracelet and violated his parole by possessing drugs.

Speaking with KOB4, Story had serious criticism for the New Mexico justice system that allowed Silva to walk free. He said, “Silva had a long history of violent crime and mental illness. This is just one more agonizing reminder of the brokenness of the New Mexico criminal justice system. A system that should have protected our community from Silva but instead allowed him to endanger us all."
 

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued this statement following the murder of Hernandez: “I am horrified to hear of the murder of a young officer in Las Cruces last night. Officer Hernandez was, by all accounts, a dedicated and brave public servant and an outstanding son, husband and father. 

"I am praying for Officer Hernandez’s wife, his two sons, his friends and family, his colleagues at the Las Cruces Police Department, and the Las Cruces community as they grieve his sudden and terrible loss. This loss is felt acutely by every first responder and their families, who selflessly serve and protect New Mexicans every day.  

"Officer Hernandez, thank you for your service.”   

Officer Hernandez, formerly of El Paso, TX, was an officer in Las Cruces for two years and is survived by his wife and two sons, aged two and 10, as well as his parents and two siblings. 

The Las Cruces Police Association which represents LCPD officers has opened a GoFundMe account and a local deposit account and is accepting donations for the Hernandez family.  As of this report over $90,000 has been raised from over 1,000 donors. Officials with the union have said that all of the proceeds will go directly to the family.

Chief Story declined to identify the witness who used lethal force in an attempt to rescue Hernandez but told reporters the LCPD isn't recommending any charges against him. Prosecutors will make the ultimate determination.