Even though Farmington is on the opposite end of New Mexico, Carlsbad residents have a lot of common with our neighbors to the northwest. We’re both towns with strong investment in the oil and gas industry, and our area’s legislators often work together very closely. On Monday, Farmington experienced a terrible tragedy as an 18-year-old man reportedly shot and killed three people and injured several others, including police officers. The shooting appears to be completely at random, and many of the victims were elderly women who just happened to be outside in their neighborhood at the time.
The matter is still under investigation, but there is no answer to why such a senseless tragedy should ever take place. We offer our condolences to the residents of Farmington, and we are certainly willing to provide assistance in any way needed.
This tragedy calls to mind the risk that members of our law enforcement community have to face every day. In 2021, New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott, an officer with very strong ties to Carlsbad, was shot and killed while handling a traffic stop.
We are very proud of our law enforcement community, and we believe we should always make sure that they are recognized for a job in which they are expected to put themselves in harm’s way.
Please join us at 8:30 a.m. Friday in front of the Law Enforcement Memorial at the Janell Whitlock Municipal Annex. The City of Carlsbad will be conducting a Carlsbad Law Enforcement Memorial Celebration. At the ceremony, Captain Duarte will read a small bio of Officer Melvin Hodges, who was killed in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Muscatel and the Hobbs Highway on June 7, 1962. He had been with the department for only three months.
The short ceremony will also include a Presentation of the Colors and a 21 Gun Salute. Chief Skinner and I will also each make brief comments. A small reception will follow inside council chambers. Thank you to Chief Skinner and everyone with the Carlsbad Police Department for organizing this event, and we look forward to attending.
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Also this weekend- the City will be holding its Household Hazardous Waste Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beach Parking Lot on Saturday. This is residential only. Items accepted include tires, fertilizers, paint thinner, gasoline, cleaning products, batteries, old cell phones and more. There is also a confidential pharmaceutical takeback. We encourage you to put this service to good use.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway