NMSP News:
LUNA COUNTY – A New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officer stationed in Deming was assisting Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Thursday and initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet pickup truck on Interstate 10 eastbound, near mile marker 101 east of Deming.
During the traffic stop, the driver identified as Omar Felix Cueva, 39, fired at least one shot at NMSP Ofc. Darian Jarrott. Ofc. Jarrott was struck and killed by gunfire. An HSI agent arrived on scene and notified NMSP dispatch that an officer was down.
A broadcast was put out to state and local law enforcement agencies. A NMSP officer located Cueva traveling east on Interstate 10 near mile marker 116. Cueva pulled over at the exit and fired at NMSP officers. The officers returned fire. A pursuit was initiated as Cueva continued to evade officers, traveling east on Interstate 10.
During the pursuit, other NMSP officers successfully utilized tire deflation devices near the Picacho exit on Interstate 10 and near milepost 135 by Las Cruces. Cueva continued to flee east on Interstate 10. At that time officers from the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD), the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office (DASO) and a U.S. Border Patrol agent (USBP) assisted NMSP with the pursuit.
A LCPD officer utilized a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver near milepost 140. As the pickup came to a stop, Cueva exited the vehicle armed with a firearm and shot multiple rounds toward the officers and deputies. Officers from LCPD, NMSP, DASO and USBP returned fire toward Cueva, who was struck at least once.
Officers rendered aid to Cueva until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. Cueva sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator.
One Las Cruces Police officer was struck by gunfire. The officer was airlifted to a trauma hospital in Texas where he was treated and released for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.
This investigation is active and being led by the NMSP Investigations Bureau. The identities of the deputies, officers and Border Patrol agent involved will not be released until all interviews are completed. The NMSP officers have been placed on standard leave.
Ofc. Jarrott began his career as a Transportation Inspector with NMDPS. He was certified as a law enforcement officer in December 2014 and worked with the former Motor Transportation Division of NMDPS. In July 2015, he was sworn in as a NMSP officer where he bravely served until Thursday. Ofc. Jarrott leaves behind three small children and was expecting his fourth child this year.
“Out of respect for Ofc. Jarrott, please refrain from contacting his family as they mourn the loss of our fallen hero,” –NMSP.