April 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 4

AROUND THE COUNTRY NEW

AROUND THE COUNTRY NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE New Mexico State Policeman Justin Hare was shot and killed while responding to a stranded motorist on I-40. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police have identified the suspect in the shooting of Officer Justin Hare as 32-year-old Jaremy Smith of Marion, South Carolina. In an update posted on Facebook, NMSP Chief Troy Weisler said around 5 a.m. Friday, Officer Hare was sent to help a motorist with a flat tire on I-40 near mile marker 320, west of Tucumcari. Officer Hare parked behind the vehicle. Jaremy Smith, 32, then approached the officer’s passenger side window. “Officer Hare offered to give the suspect a ride to town, then, without warning, the suspect pulled out a firearm and shot Officer Hare. The suspect then walked to the driver’s side and shot Officer Hare again,” said Chief Weisler. The chief also said Smith then pushed Officer Hare to the passenger seat and took off in the officer’s patrol car which was later found abandoned. Police are still searching for Smith. NMSP has also issued an arrest warrant for the 32-year-old charging him with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle, Tampering with Evidence, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Damage to Property. “The last words Officer Hare uttered on this earth was an offer to help the man who was about to kill him. I am disgusted and sickened by the actions of this cold-blooded murderer. We are bringing every resource to bare to bring Officer Hare’s killer to justice and we will not rest until that is done,” said Chief Weisler. Officer Hare is the first New Mexico State Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty since Officer Darrian Jarrott in February of 2021. Officer Hare became a member of the NMSP in December 2018, successfully completing the training program as part of the 93rd graduating class for NMSP. He was born in Albuquerque and was raised in Logan and Moriarty, New Mexico. He attended CNM and Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. He is survived by his parents, girlfriend, and two young children. OFFICER JUSTIN HARE UPDATE: The gunman believed to be responsible in the homicides of a patrolman with the New Mexico State Police as well as a paramedic in South Carolina was identified as Jaremy Smith, was taken into custody on Sunday March 17th, after an alert gas station clerk in Bernalillo County New Mexico, spotted the suspect and called 911, authorities said. Smith is being charged with murdering Officer Hare and off-duty paramedic Phonesia Machado-fore earlier in the month. At the time of publishing, Smith was held without bond. 38 The Blues - April ‘24

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