14 February 2024 , 22:46
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A New Mexico police officer tragically died after being stabbed by a homeless man with a history of crime and mental illness just before a witness shot and killed the suspect.
Officer Jonah Hernandez, 35, was stabbed to death in what cops have called an "unprovoked attack" on Sunday at around 5pm as he responded to a trespassing call at the 300 block of South Valley Drive in the city of Las Cruces.
According to Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story, as soon as Hernandez arrived at the scene, the suspect, Armando Silva, 29, "immediately attacked him with a large kitchen knife."
After Silva stabbed the officer, ultimately murdering him, he proceeded to go after a bystander who witnessed the fatal attack. As he approached, ready to attack, the witness fired his gun and killed Silva at the scene.
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Hernandez was stabbed to death by a total stranger (Las Cruces Police Department/Facebook)"Officer Jonah Hernandez was a compassionate and dedicated officer who was out doing his job while most of us were watch the Super Bowl," Story said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"This sudden and unprovoked attack took the life of an officer, a husband, a father, a brother, son, a friend, and a great young man," Story shared.
After shooting the assailant, the witness used Hernandez's radio to call for help before he was transported to Mountain View Regional Medical Center where the police officer sadly from his injuries.
The police department has grieved his loss (Las Cruces Police Department/Facebook)"For no reason whatsoever, Silva killed Officer Hernandez," Story said.
Hernandez was the first officer killed in the line of duty in its 96-year history, according to a spokesman with the department.
The witness who shot Silva has not been identified and police said that they "do not anticipate recommending charges against" them for killing Silva.
Officer Hernandez served as a cop in Las Cruces since June 2022 and is survived by his wife, Yesenia Lopez and their two sons, Sebastian Jonah, 10, and two-year-old Joaquin Leonel. A GoFundMe page has been created in honor of Hernandez as donations are set to go toward his wife and children, with over $93,000 raised so far.
Hernandez leaves his two children behind (GoFundMe)The fundraiser organizer wrote on the campaign: "On February 11, 2024 Officer Hernandez responded to a call for service in the community he selflessly served. Officer Hernandez was killed in the line of duty during this call. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and his memory will live on through his children, family and his brothers and sisters in blue. Rest easy, L989."