Dates: February 1, 1979 -March 2, 2022
The Tragedy:
Senior Police Officer Robert Duran tragically lost his life in a vehicle crash while in pursuit of a carjacking suspect, initially believed to be involved in an abduction. Officers had responded to a report of carjacking and abduction. The driver of the carjacked vehicle initiated a reckless pursuit onto the interstate eventually veering across the median into oncoming traffic. Two patrol cars who were following the suspect also were involved in the crash claiming the lives of Officer Duran and a retired firefighter.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the woman driving the carjacked vehicle had fabricated the abduction story and relayed it to the 911 caller. It was later discovered she had been previously charged with making a similar false report six months earlier.
Officer Duran had served the Santa Fe Police Department for seven years. He leaves behind his wife and two sons.
More info:
policemag : Murder by lies
The Service:
A memorial for Officer Duran was held on March 12 at Rio Rancho Events Center and hundreds gathered to honor the Officer.
“As we sat to say today about our Uncle Robert, we found ourselves at a blank. Not because we didn’t know what to say but because there will never be words strong enough to describe the human being our uncle was,” said nephews and nieces of Officer Duran.
Kathleen Duran, the Officer’s wife, spoke about the decision her husband made to become an officer. “It was not an easy decision, and we knew there were risks. It came down to preserving a future for our children that compelled him to take a leap of faith and follow his heart.”
More info:
berardinellifuneralhome : Obituary
krqenews : Funeral service
abqjournal : ‘Senseless and unfair’
The Justice:
Following the crash, the woman named Jeannine Jaramillo, faced two charges of first-degree murder along with numerous other felonies. In August of 2022 she was sentenced to 18 months as part of a plea deal for a separate car chase in Cibola County. She still is being charged with murder charges and one count of great bodily harm by vehicle, aggravated fleeing police, stealing a vehicle, reckless driving, making false statements to police, and bringing contraband into jail.
Jaramillo’s trial for the Santa Fe case is set to begin January 24, 2024.
More info:
kobnews : Trial for Jeannine Jaramillo
Delivery:
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