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City of Santa Fe Weekly Wrap
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Week of February 28, 2022 |
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Editorial Note: This week's Wrap is dedicated to recognizing the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday, March 2, and honoring those who passed away during the terrible accident. |
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City of Santa Fe Mourns the Loss of Senior Officer Duran |
Santa Fe Police Senior Officer Robert Duran died in a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 25 on Wednesday, March 2.
Officer Duran was well respected and loved by his peers, and the Santa Fe Police Department and City of Santa Fe are grieving his loss. Our condolences are with the family of Robert Duran, and the family of Frank Lovato, the other driver lost in this tragic crash.
Officer Duran was born in Artesia in 1979 and graduated from nearby Lake Arthur High School in 1997. He joined the Santa Fe Police Department in January 2015 as a police cadet. He was assigned to the Patrol Section and served as a member of the department’s Emergency Response Team. Officer Duran was 43 years of age. He was married, and has two teenage sons. Officer Duran enjoyed hunting and fishing in the Pecos Wilderness with his two sons.
“We are devastated. There are no words to accurately describe the loss our department is feeling, to lose one of our own is heartbreaking,” said Interim Chief Paul Joye.
“Our community and members of our Department lost a great officer and an amazing man. My heart is broken for Robert’s family and his colleagues as they process their loss,” said Deputy Chief of Administration Ben Valdez.
“Tragically, we have lost one of Santa Fe’s finest, a devoted police officer who gave his life in the line of duty and in service to this community. Our hearts continue to be heavy by this tragic loss. We are thinking of his family and our Police Department. We also remember the innocent civilian, retired firefighter Frank Lovato whose life was lost in this tragedy,” said Mayor Webber.
Officer Duran is the third Santa Fe Police Officer lost in the line of duty. The last on-duty officer loss was in the 1930’s.
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The family of Officer Duran has sent up a GoFundMe account for anyone interested in assisting. Click here for link.
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MAYOR'S NOTE:
The Real Heart of New Mexico
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Dear Friends,
This week we suffered a tragic loss. The death of Senior Officer Robert Duran in the line of duty hits us all hard and leaves us grief-stricken. We are joining with everyone in the Santa Fe Police Department in sending our condolences to his wife and family. The Governor is lowering flags to half-staff in his honor and we are supporting his family through the GoFundMe account they have set up. In true Santa Fe spirit, the response has been powerful, strong and supportive. Let’s keep showing that spirit.
As information becomes available about services for Senior Officer Duran, we’ll let everyone know. We want to respect the wishes of the family and make sure they are able to have their privacy.
There was a second tragic loss of life that day. Former Las Vegas, NM Firefighter Frank Lovato was an innocent victim in the horrible crash. We recognize his service as a firefighter and send heartfelt condolences to his family, as well. I’ve spoken with leadership in Las Vegas, and let them know that all of us in Santa Fe reach out to them so we can grieve together. In turn, they have expressed their deep condolences to our community. We’ve also witnessed great cooperation with other law enforcement and public safety agencies. Our thanks go out to the New Mexico State Police and Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, who have stepped up to help us during this difficult time. This is the real heart of New Mexico, working together and grieving together.
Speaking about the loss of Officer Duran, Chief Joye said: The Santa Fe Police Department is not large. Everyone knows everyone and everyone works with everyone. Officer Duran was part of that family and loved and appreciated as a member of that family.
Let's all come together to support one another. That’s how we how we honor Senior Officer Duran and extend our hands, hearts and hugs to his family. It’s how we get through this together.
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Flags Half-Staff In Mourning |
In recognition of the devotion of Robert Duran, the Governor has ordered flags across New Mexico to be flown at half-mast until sundown on March 7. |
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The City wishes to thank to the Santa Fe Community for their outpouring of support to the family of Officer Duran and the Santa Fe Police Department. We express our deepest appreciation to State Police for covering the City of Santa Fe and protecting our community as we grieve this loss. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with coverage.
We also wish to thank our public safety partners with the Santa Fe Fire Department, Santa Fe County Fire Department, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance and their personnel that responded to this incident.
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Remembering Frank Lovato, Retired NM Firefighter |
An uninvolved civilian, identified by State Police as retired Las Vegas, NM firefighter Frank Lovato, age 62, was also killed during the terrible crash on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Frank Lovato, who served as a firefighter in Las Vegas for more than three decades. He retired as an engineer in 2006. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time. |
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Reminder: COVID-19 Memorial |
We will commemorate COVID-19 Memorial Day on Monday, March 7, 2022 to remember all those who have passed away, fallen ill or who continue to suffer from the impact of COVID-19. We will also pay tribute to all who have worked on the front lines during the pandemic.
All Santa Feans are invited to join us in a minute of silence for all those lost to COVID-19 from 12:00 to 12:01 p.m., followed by a minute of noise-making for frontline workers from 12:01 p.m. to 12:02 p.m. Click for more information.
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