New Mexico Police Officer Shoots Driver When He Takes Off, Dragging His Partner Down The Street

Las Cruces, New Mexico — On Feb. 3, 2021 at 1:38 p.m. LCPD Officer J. Herrera using his lights and siren initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Tahoe which he observed being operated erratically at a high rate of speed northbound on Solano Drive.

After detecting the odor of marijuana and observing that the front passenger appeared nervous, as well as finding that Orozco was armed with a knife, Officer Herrera requested a backup officer to his location. Officer Herrera then obtained Orozco's identification and returned to his unit to run Orozco for warrants—he learned that Orozco was wanted on a felony warrant for his arrest.

Officer Herrera returned to place Orozco under arrest. Officer Herrera asked Orozco to shut off his vehicle which he did and advised Orozco to step out due to the warrant for his arrest. Officer Herrera began opening Orozco's door to take him into custody as Orozco simultaneously turned on his vehicle.

Officer Herrera then attempted to prevent Orozco's escape; however, Orozco was able to place the vehicle into gear at which time he began to drag Officer Herrera who was partially inside the vehicle.

Back up Officer M. Carrera perceiving a deadly threat to Officer Herrera by being run over or rammed into a utility pole, discharged his firearm to stop Orozco. Joel Orozco fled the scene and abandoned the Chevrolet Tahoe nearby, but he was located nearly an hour later, hiding in a shed in the 1800 block of Sexton Street.

The male front passenger was located, interviewed, and released soon after the incident. Unbeknownst to the officers a female seated behind Orozco at the time of the incident, who was not visible due to the illegally tinted windows on the vehicle, was struck by gunfire.

The female was transported to an area hospital for treatment and subsequently released. Officer Herrera was transported to an area hospital for treatment and remains on leave recovering from the injuries he sustained. Orozco was charged with Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) Upon a Peace Officer; Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer; Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm by a Felon; Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer—the charges have been bound over to District Court.