LCPD celebrates life of fallen officer Jonah Hernandez

The Las Cruces Police Department is marking the second anniversary of the death of patrol officer Jonah Hernandez with a private memorial to honor and celebrate his life.
 
Hernandez, who had been with the Las Cruces Police Department just two years, was stabbed multiple times after responding to a trespassing call about 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, on the 300 block of south Valley Drive. A witness intervened, neutralized the suspect and provided initial aid while first responders were summoned to the scene.
 
Hernandez died that evening at a local hospital.
 
“It’s been two years since we lost Jonah, but the emotional wounds we have are still fresh and bitter,” said Chief Jeremy Story. “We’ll continue to honor Jonah and his family by shedding light on the man he was and recommitting ourselves to the laws and practices he swore to uphold.”
 
On Wednesday, Feb. 11, LCPD officers and city staff gathered for a private memorial to honor and celebrate the life of Jonah Hernandez. The memorial included a procession from the site where his final call took place to LCPD headquarters where the private memorial took place.
 
Hernandez was 35 years old and left behind a loving wife and two sons, now ages 12 and 4. He was laid to rest Feb. 21, 2024, in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.
 
In the two years since his death, Las Cruces police and partner law enforcement agencies have conducted a pair of Not in Vain crime reduction operations in memory of Hernandez. In 2025, the Not in Vain effort ran April 28 through Aug. 29 and resulted in 120 felony arrests, 134 misdemeanor arrests, and more than 1,000 interactions with residents and businesses.
 
LCPD and partner agencies will conduct a third Operation Not in Vain beginning in the spring of 2026.