Clovis police officer, local pastor die in crash

A Clovis police officer and a Methodist pastor — a husband and wife remembered for their love of God and outgoing personalities — died together shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday night in a motorcycle accident five miles west of Cannon Air Force Base.

Boden Garrison, 35, and wife Amanda, 39, were attempting to pass a semi-truck going eastbound on U.S. 60/84 when the motorcycle they were riding ran out of lane, according to a press release from the New Mexico State Police. Their motorcycle traveled onto the south shoulder and clipped a parked flatbed trailer, throwing both victims onto the eastbound lanes, the release reported.

The truck ran over both victims and they died at the scene, according to the release.

“(Boden) was a good officer, he was a pleasure to be around, he was always smiling,” Clovis Police Chief Bill Carey said. “He’s going to be sorely missed.”

Carey said the news shocked his department, and officers spent Thursday mourning the loss.

Roy Stewart was Boden Garrison’s classmate at Tucumcari High School and attended church with him. In 1985, Boden served was best man at Stewart’s wedding.

Stewart described his friend as easy going, a family man and easy to get along with. Amanda, he said, was also outgoing.

Boden Garrison was previously an officer with the New Mexico State Police and was stationed in Las Vegas, N.M., and Santa Rosa. He served with the state police for about three months, then joined the Clovis police force in the summer of 2003.

Amanda Garrison was in her second year as pastor of Grady United Methodist Church.

“Anybody in the community who was sick, she went to see them. She was very special,” said Margie Woods, a member of the church for 65 years. “She wasn’t just our pastor, but the whole community’s.”

The Garrisons leave behind a 10-year-old daughter, a son who is a sophomore at Grady High School and another son who lives in Albuquerque, Woods said.

Woods said when Boden Garrison made Sunday services — he was often on duty and unable to attend — he led the music portion of the service.

“He had a beautiful voice,” she said.

Woods said a memorial service has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Clovis.