New Mexico Mourns the Loss of Officer Darian Jarrott in Highway Shooting Linked to Drug Trafficking

The loss of New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott is a big shock that the community is still not able to come back from after he was shot and killed during a highway stop that turned into a violent chase of drug traffickers.

The fatal event took place on the 10th of the month, on a stretch of Interstate 10 that was in-between Las Cruces and Deming on a Thursday, where the officer found himself actually, he was providing assistance to U. S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – investigating a vehicle driven by Omar Felix Cueva, 39. Such a shocking twist of events was the fact that Cueva, in fact, had a violent criminal background and, according to investigators, planned to go to Las Cruces to make a major drug deal.

What had initially been a standard ticketing procedure turned into a shocking encounter when Cueva pulled out his gun and started shooting, and Officer Jarrott was hit with deadly force. The quick action of the agent from the Department of Homeland Security who was also at the site saved his life by notifying law enforcement of the scene which then led to a 40-mile hot pursuit involving all the available local, county, and federal law enforcement officers.

Near Las Cruces, the chase ended and the road spikes devices were used to intercept Cueva’s car. After that, the spread of bullets including Cueva took place. A police officer, who also was present at the scene, got injured by a gunshot but it was reported that his injuries were not life-threatening.

Darian Jarrott, who at the time of the incident was only at his 29, and had joined New Mexico State Police back in 2015, after working as a state transportation inspector, and as a local law enforcement officer was a truly giving person. Originally from the Lordsburg area, he was a Deming local of unique disposition that everyone remembered and loved. “Even in the toughest situations, Darian always had a smile on his face,” said State Police Chief Robert Thornton, who was clearly touched by the loss of his colleague.

Newly-minted Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham has demanded that the authorities at all the state buildings fly the flags at half-mast up until Tuesday in order to remember Officer Jarrott. In her statement, she stressed how the police officers are a display of everyday heroism, branded violent crime as a “scourge”, and sent her most heartfelt condolences to the family of Jarrott. Also, this sad event is a warning to us all about the daily risks that our law enforcement officers face to secure our local area. The memory of Jarrott’s dedication and heroism will live on forever.