Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R.I.P. BROTHER Chavez!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

August 22, 2016

Late afternoon on Friday August 12, 2016, my husband and I traveled Interstate 25 North from Las Cruces to Truth or Consequences, in order to adopt a Border Collie from the local animal shelter. While traveling, we saw a myriad of multiple agency law enforcement units rolling lights and sirens, headed both Northbound and Southbound on the interstate. It was clear that something major must have happened, but we would not learn until later that evening that a Hatch Police Officer had been fatally shot.

The memorial services that took place in Las Cruces, NM today were moving and heartfelt. Especially touching was the letter read by Kelly Jameson on behalf of Chief Gimler and Lt. Watkins of the Hatch Police Department. Sharing many fond memories of Officer Chavez, Jameson touched on the fact that Chavez loved animals and that he was placed in charge of Animal Control in Hatch as well.

The dog that my husband and I adopted on August 12th is a Black & White Border Collie. Named Panda, he will be trained as a service dog. We do not know exactly how old Panda is but he is still a growing puppy. When I learned that Officer Chavez loved animals, I decided that we would designate Panda’s birthdate to be December 17th, the birthdate of Officer Chavez. Each year on December 17th, when we celebrate Panda’s Birthday, we will remember not only the day that Officer Chavez gave his life, but we will celebrate the birth and life of a dedicated officer who also loved animals. As my service dog, Panda will always be a reminder to me of the service of Officer Chavez, and of all men and women who protect and serve daily.

Karen Colin

August 22, 2016

A real "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County PD, NY

August 19, 2016

Thank you for your dedicated service Officer Chavez. Rest easy knowing your EOW was not in vain as you were instrumental in the apprehension of a wanted subject whom massacred an entire family back here in Ohio. You are truly an American Hero. I pray for God's grace, peace and protection over your family.

P.O. / Tactical Officer Ken Bertz
Colerain Police Department / HCPA SWAT (Cincinnati, OH)

August 19, 2016

God rest your soul and comfort your loved ones. Your work here is done. GOD SPEED

Dep Sheriff Ret. Glen Allison
Tarrant County Sheriff Department

August 19, 2016

Rest in Peace, Police Officer Jose Chavez. Thank you for your service to this country and your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your department at this time.

Chief Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell, SC

August 18, 2016

God's peace and speed Officer Chavez. Thank you for your brave, dedicated service. RIP Brother.

P/O R. Popelka #7903
Chicago Police Department

August 18, 2016

May God bless Officer Jose Chavez's family, give them the needed peace and love in their hearts, and allow his family to know that Jose Chavez's soul will be in Heaven where his soul belong.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police

August 18, 2016

RIP Brother. May God be with your Family and loved ones. Rest easy.

Officer Steven Austin
Lawrence TWP P.D. (NJ)

August 18, 2016

RIP my Brother, RIP.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Your sacrifice was far too great.

Investigator, Q. Warren
Alaska Medicaid Fraud

August 17, 2016

Rest in Peace Officer Chavez. You gave your life performing the job you loved the most and the City of Hatch and the whole State of New Mexico thanks you for your service.

U.S. Border Patrol (Retired)
USBP

August 17, 2016

The Union Pacific Railroad Police Department offers our deepest condolences and prayers of the tragic loss of Officer Jose Chavez. Our prayers are with Officer Chavez' family and their healing throughout these trying times. We offer our support to the entire Hatch Police Deparment and staff.

Victor Estrada, Lieutenant
Union Pacific Railroad Police - El Paso

August 17, 2016

Bro, it is such a shame that the cowards who wrongfully took your life to do what they did, and the way they did it. I pray that God sends them to hell. My prayers are with your wife and children, your family and friends.

Josh Holcomb Former US Army MP

August 17, 2016

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. REST IN PEACE.

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE POLICE DEPT

August 16, 2016

On behalf of Session 61 and the Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy (NY), our thoughts and prayers are with your department and family.

We thank you for your service, rest in peace.

Session 61
Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

August 16, 2016

Thoughts and Prayers for Officer Chavez's family and the Hatch Police Department. May God Bless law enforcement during these painful times. R.I.P Sir!

Wm Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP, Trafic & Escort Unit

August 16, 2016

I'm so sorry. What a waste. Be strong.

Gretchen Van Houten

August 16, 2016

We are deeply saddened at SNMCF due to the loss of a brother in arms. This is a law enforcement community in Las Cruces and throughout Dona Ana County. His daughters must be cared for!

Correctional Officer John Hunt
New Mexico Corrections Department

August 16, 2016

Rest with God Officer Chavez, your dedication and ultimate loss of your life will not be forgotten. Prayers for your family during this time in their lives.

retired police officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

August 15, 2016

Officer Chavez, u stopped me about a year ago because my license plate was missing, instead of giving me a ticket or impounding my truck, you filed a report and let me go home. I'm so sorry this happened to you, my thoughts are with your family/friends and fellow LE officers who knew and worked with u day in and day out. Rest in peace, you deserve it.

Matthew Williams
Citizen of Dona Ana County

August 15, 2016

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

August 15, 2016

Rest in peace brother. You are A true hero.

Jamie Davis
Pittsylvania County sheriff's office

August 15, 2016

Rest in Peace Brother! We have the watch from here. May God Bless your Family and Friends.

Sgt. A. OROZCO
ADOT/ECD

August 15, 2016

Thoughts and Prayers for Officer Chavez's family and the Hatch Police Department. May God Bless law enforcement during these painful times. RIP Brother.

Deputy Fred Parker
Putnam County Sheriff's Dept., TN.

August 15, 2016

Rest in peace Officer Jose Chavez. On behalf of the Edgewood Police Department, we send our thoughts and prayers the family of Police Officer Jose Chavez. We further send our thoughts and prayers to our brothers and sisters in blue at the Hatch, New Mexico Police Department

End of Watch: Friday, August 12, 2016, 2016.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God”

Chief Ron Crow
Edgewood New Mexico, Police Department

August 15, 2016