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RRPD remembers fallen officers in solemn ceremony
Rio Rancho Police Department, City of Rio Rancho, families of fallen officers and others gather to remember those who gave "ultimate sacrifice".
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Silence settles as the last call for the fallen officers is done over the police scanners in Rio Rancho.
The morning of May 9 was a still one as Rio Rancho Police Department and the city of Rio Rancho were joined by fellow police departments in New Mexico, civilians and officers' families to remember fallen officers at Veterans Monument Park. However, three families were more still than the rest.
Three officers specifically have been remembered every year at this ceremony. This year was no different.
Officer Greg Benner, who was shot on Pinetree Road in 2015; Officer Anthony Haase, who was killed in a car accident near Idalia Road and NM 528 in 2014; and Officer Jermaine Casey, who died due to injuries from a motorcycle accident that occurred while he was escorting then-President George W. Bush in 2007, were all remembered.
After the ceremony led off with a prayer and a song, Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico Department of Public Safety Jason Bowie was the first to speak.
"Before I proceed, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers," he said.
He added that ceremonies like this one can be saddening but are necessary to show support.
"Find your news in the right place, and you will know that most people in our communities across the United States have a deep sense of appreciation for our law enforcement officers," he said.
He went on to say the community support in Rio Rancho is strong. "About as strong as you can wish for it," he added.
However, Bowie says the common civilian cannot understand the full understanding of what it means to be an officer.
"When an officer falls, work doesn't stop. You don't get to pause; you don't get to take a time out or get a reset. Amid these tragedies, our officers exhibited remarkable fortitude. They pressed forward undeterred by adversity, embodying the dedication that is both humbling and inspiring," he said.
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Deputy City Mayor and City Councilor Jeremy Lenentine spoke next. He humbled himself saying he would never know what it is like to serve a community in the way law enforcement does.
"Today, I represent the outsiders at this event," he said.
Lenentine remembered growing up in Rio Rancho and his parents instilling respect for officers.
"When we were young, whenever we would hear sirens, when we were driving somewhere, we would stop and pray as a family. Pray for the officers that were going to be involved, pray for whoever was in danger at that time and pray for that situation. I think it's important that we instill in our families and our kids to pay respect for those who dutifully pay a sacrifice to our community, whether that's on a local, on a state or on a national level," he added.
Lenentine also talked about how each individual in the community has a responsibility to their job but more importantly has a responsibility to their moral values.
"A job lasts maybe a couple of decades, but who you are at your core lasts until your dying breath," he said.
He added that for officers in law enforcement, more often than not, that is who they are at the core.
Mayor Gregg Hull spoke more directly to the families of fallen officers.
"I think about the families that are here today, and we want to make sure that we give a special thank you to the families of the fallen officers because what it means to say goodbye to a loved one every day and not know if they're going to come home, when they're strapping on that gun, putting that badge on and you say goodbye and they walk out that door, if that's the last time you'll ever get the opportunity to say goodbye, I won't know what that feels like," Hull said.
He added that Rio Rancho is a "blessed" community.
"We're a blessed community that we have an amazing group of first responders, police officers, public safety professionals that work tirelessly day and night to keep our city safe to keep our citizens safe," he said.
Hull added that the sound of sirens can be the "sweetest sound" for some who need help "on the worst day of their lives."
"In order to accomplish the goal, in order to do this, police officers lay their lives on the line every day and tragically sometimes make that ultimate sacrifice," he said.
This, he says, is why it is so important for all residents to pay their respects.
"Remember the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices of police officers and that we pay that special tribute to those that have sacrificed," he said.
The last to speak was RRPD Police Chief Stewart Steele, who spoke about what it means for law enforcement to lose an officer.
"As you may remember, I spoke about officer Anthony Dia last year. He's someone I will always remember. And the words, '118 tell my family I love them,' the last words transmitted by Officer Dia, will always press on my heart. 'Tell my family, I love them.' So who is officer Anthony Dia? Officer Anthony Diaz is a 26-year-old police officer from Toledo, Ohio. He responded to a call to Home Depot July 4, 2020, to check on an intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance. Upon arrival, officer Dia attempted to make contact with the person and was immediately shot in the chest. While a crowd stood by watching, officer Anthony Dia fell to the ground," Steele recalled. "And he used his radio to call out for assistance. In his final call for help, Dia, identifying himself by call sign 118, transmitted, 'Tell my family I love them.'"
Steele, who has been in law enforcement for more than 40 years, says he knows plenty of officers all over the world.
"But I didn't know officer Dia. I don't have to know officer Dia to know what was on his mind in the middle of his work catastrophe. It was his family. Shortly after that transmission, Officer Dia died, leaving behind a young wife and two small sons," Steele said.
Steele further explained that according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, there have been 24,067 police officers killed in the line of duty since the first reported police death in 1786.
"One hundred eighty-four of the 24,067 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty where New Mexico law enforcement officers. All of these officers sacrificed their lives while faithfully and selflessly serving and protecting their communities. Like officer Anthony Dia, all left behind families," he said.
He continued, saying the families of fallen officers Benner, Haase and Casey unfortunately know that loss.
He ended on the note that in a world where lately it seems "out of control," he believes law enforcement is necessary.
"It bothers me because I am concerned by the future. I worry what life will look like for all of us in 20 years. I do not have all the answers, but I hold a firm belief that law enforcement, it's necessary. We are the front line form of protection for people, the difference between order and chaos, the authority between law-abiding and nonlaw-abiding for people," he said.
"May I suggest we not just examine our hearts and minds but also our homes. I won't stand here and lecture you on the change I believe we need, but I am calling on each of you to examine your hearts, your minds and your homes."
The ceremony ended with a last call for Benner, Haase and Casey. See the video above.
