Patrolman Nash P. Garcia - New Mexico State Police - True Life Hero

Nash P. Garcia
- Apr. 11, 1952 -

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New Mexico State Police Patch

Resided:	Grants NM, USA
Born:	May. 01, 1913
Fallen:	Apr. 11, 1952
Race/Sex:	Hispanic Male / 38 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	New Mexico State Police 4491 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87507 USA (505)827-9200
County:	Santa Fe
Dept. Type:	State/Police
Hero's Rank:	Patrolman
Sworn Date:	6/1944
FBI Class:	Homicide - Ambush
Agency URL:	Click Here
On The Job:	10 years

Bio: Nash Garcia was born in Torreon, New Mexico, on May 1, 1913, and spent most of his time in the Albuquerque area. In June 1942, he joined the Bernalillo County Sheriff�s Department and eventually became Chief Field Deputy. He resigned from the sheriff�s department and on June 15, 1944, became a New Mexico State Police Officer. Nash was stationed in Albuquerque and in 1948 was assigned as the officer in charge of that district and later promoted to the rank of captain. Due to a change in departmental structure, Nash was demoted to patrolman in June of 1950. At his request, he was transferred to Grants.

Survived by:

Mrs Garcia - Wife

3 Daughters - Family

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	No Info
Location:	NM USA Fri. Apr. 11, 1952
Summary:	On April 11, 1952, Nash was patrolling U. S. 66 east of Grants, when he observed two men in a red pickup violating traffic laws. Unbeknownst to him, the occupants were brothers with whom Nash had had prior dealings with, and they were purposely violating the law to lure him into a pursuit. After the pursuit was initiated, the brothers led Nash off U. S. 66 down a dirt road into a remote mountainous area on the Acoma Indian Reservation. As Nash drove around a curve he was shot through the windshield of his patrol car by one of the two brothers with a rifle. The gun shot mortally wounded him and when his patrol car came to a stop, the brothers dragged him out of the car and beat him with the wooden rifle stock until it broke into pieces. The brothers loaded the dead officer into the front of the patrol car and drove it into a clump of trees and left the scene. They returned the following day, filled the police car with juniper boughs and set it on fire. Nash's disappearance was well publicized and an intensive search was conducted. On April 13th, a cowboy reported that he had seen a police car pursuing a red pick up on U.S. 66. A red Willys pickup was located in front of the brother�s residence and when questioned, they confessed to the murder and revealed where Nash's body was hidden.
Disposition:	One of the brothers served 19 years in prison and the other served 20 years for the murder.
Source:	Book Click

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Last Updated: May. 29, 2019