Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lt. Vigil,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Alamogordo. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 29, 2023

Lieutenant James Monroe Vigil, sir, you are remembered today for your dedicated service and sacrifice to the people of Alamogordo and the state of New Mexico... May blessings, peace and comfort be with your family... Rest In Eternal Peace Lieutenant Vigil, You Are Not Forgotten...

Gail Mercado

August 29, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are forever remembered by your fellow law enforcement.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 29, 2020

Lt. Vigil, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 25, 2020

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections/

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 20, 2013

It was a warm sunny Wednesday, August 29, 1973. The shift began with no real matters of importance. That whole day changed when my unit radio announced that a citizen had called in and that there was an "Officer Down" on Highway 54. I had heard you radio in that you were stopping car from Kansas and that traffic stop was taking place on Highway 54. My heart pumped as I raced to your location. What I found will be forever etched into my brain. I found you lying on the highway. It was hard to gather my wits together and to hod my emotions in check. With tears in my eyes, I stammered that an ambulance was needed and that you "were down". I could not just let you lie there for all to see so I covered you with my uniform shirt. I stayed with you till the ambulance, ADPS, Otero County S.O. and NMSP units arrived. I will never forget that day and what I found and saw. My life was forever changed because of that day.

I will never forget you, Lt. Vigil. You were my shift supervisor but you were also my friend. You taught me discipline, tolerance and that "my badge" was symbol of ultimate trust bestowed upon me by our community. All very hard to digest for a 22 year old. I will also remember your smile and kind heart. I remember you as a law enforcement professional but also as a loving father. I remember spending a day at your home and holding Jimmy Jr. on my lap.

Why has it taken me so long to write this. I have no answer but there has not been many days when I don't think of you and that Wednesday. That "day" forever" changed me and Alamogordo, New Mexico, as a whole. I am truly honored to have known you and to have served with you.

I have never forgotten you, Jimmy!

Mike Brown
Former ADPS officer

March 14, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 27, 2013

Dad you are missed more than you know by all of us, and we miss you more each passing day. We love you and miss you dearly.

JULIE VIGIL ONTIVEROS
DAUGHTER

November 25, 2008

Lt. Vigil,

Thank you for your service, your dedication and sacrifice to the citizens of Alamogordo. I do not live there, but someone very special to me does, and if the officers who currently serve there have the same dedication as you which I'm sure they do, then I know that person is well protected.

Trooper JL Thorpe
NC Highway Patrol

September 24, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 13, 2007

Lt. Vigil,
Sir, as a resident of the Borderland, I would like to say on this, the 34th anniversary of your murder, thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Alamogordo. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Mike Casey

BPA Michael F. Casey
U.S. Border Patrol

August 29, 2007

RIP, Lieutenant Vigil and thank you for your service to the Alamogordo Police Department and the Great State Of New Mexico.

Pecos Police Department
Pecos, Texas.

October 18, 2006

BORN AND RAISED IN ALAMOGORDO, I NEVER KNEW THAT AN OFFICER'S LIFE WAS TAKEN FROM HIM. LT. VIGIL, MAY YOU ALWAYS REST AS THE ALAMOGORDO OFFICERS CONTINUE FIGHTING.

Police Officer I William Torres
New Orleans Police Department

August 29, 2004