05-26-2015, 04:42 PM
NEW MEXICO
Rio Rancho police have identified the officer killed in a shooting on Memorial Day.
![[Image: benner-romero.jpg]](http://www.kob.com/kobtvimages/repository/2015-05/benner-romero.jpg)
Officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner (pictured left) was shot just after 8 p.m. Monday during a traffic stop near Southern Boulevard and Pinetree Road in Rio Rancho. He later died at UNM Hospital, the department confirmed early Tuesday.
Andrew Romero (pictured right) is the POS who is suspected of murdering Officer Benner.
Benner, 49, was a four-year veteran of the department and a married father of five adult children. He was also an Air Force veteran. RIP.
"Officer Benner was a dedicated military veteran and law enforcement officer and his tragic death is deeply saddening to the tight-knit community of Rio Rancho," Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said in a statement. "The City of Rio Rancho mourns his untimely death and I urge community members to keep Officer Benner's family in their thoughts and prayers. Our police officers hold a special place in our hearts as they lay their lives on the line every day protecting our safety and this is a stark reminder of their sacrifice."
RRPD said this is the first time an officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty in the department's 34-year history.
Suspect Romero was riding in the passenger side of the car when the exchange occurred. He fled on foot afterward and was captured today. The woman who was driving the car stayed on the scene and is cooperating with police.
A teen riding nearby on his bicycle said he heard four shots fired.
Ref: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3806...WTZ-kbCfeT
Rio Rancho police have identified the officer killed in a shooting on Memorial Day.
Officer Gregg "Nigel" Benner (pictured left) was shot just after 8 p.m. Monday during a traffic stop near Southern Boulevard and Pinetree Road in Rio Rancho. He later died at UNM Hospital, the department confirmed early Tuesday.
Andrew Romero (pictured right) is the POS who is suspected of murdering Officer Benner.
Benner, 49, was a four-year veteran of the department and a married father of five adult children. He was also an Air Force veteran. RIP.
"Officer Benner was a dedicated military veteran and law enforcement officer and his tragic death is deeply saddening to the tight-knit community of Rio Rancho," Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said in a statement. "The City of Rio Rancho mourns his untimely death and I urge community members to keep Officer Benner's family in their thoughts and prayers. Our police officers hold a special place in our hearts as they lay their lives on the line every day protecting our safety and this is a stark reminder of their sacrifice."
RRPD said this is the first time an officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty in the department's 34-year history.
Suspect Romero was riding in the passenger side of the car when the exchange occurred. He fled on foot afterward and was captured today. The woman who was driving the car stayed on the scene and is cooperating with police.
A teen riding nearby on his bicycle said he heard four shots fired.
Ref: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S3806...WTZ-kbCfeT