Flags ordered at half-staff in honor of NMSP officer killed in line of duty

SANTA FE – New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday afternoon announced she will order all flags to half-staff in the state, beginning Friday, in mourning for a uniformed member of the New Mexico State Police killed in the line of duty Thursday on Interstate 10.

The statement from the governor's office did not identify the officer or give specific details about the incident, but the governor said she was "shocked, heartbroken and outraged" by the loss of the officer and that she was praying for a local officer who was shot and injured.

Flags will be flown at half-staff from Friday until sundown Tuesday.

"We are still learning more about what happened and why, as law enforcement authorities continue to investigate, and we will all get the facts about what happened today. But what we know right now is a New Mexico law enforcement officer has been killed in the line of duty and I am horrified as we grieve another life cut down, another family crushed by senseless violence in our state. Violent crime is a scourge on New Mexico, and the men and women who step up and put on the badge to protect our communities fight it with everything they’ve got every day. We are and must remain grateful for their heroic service every single day – and moments like this remind us why. The New Mexico State Police put their lives on the line to help keep us safe. I join all New Mexico and the New Mexico State Police community in grieving this senseless, heinous loss."