ThinBlueNews remembers Sergeant Joseph Apodaca of the Taos County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, whose End of Watch was Friday, May 22, 2026.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Sergeant Apodaca was involved in a fatal motorcycle crash while deputies were searching for a suspected reckless driver on NM-518 between Ranchos de Taos and Talpa.
ODMP records that Sergeant Apodaca was turning into a driveway near the 7200 block of NM-518 when his motorcycle and a sheriff's deputy pickup truck collided during the response. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced at the scene.
The Taos County Sheriff's Office announced that the agency was mourning a line-of-duty death, and New Mexico Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jason Bowie issued a public statement saying Sergeant Apodaca had joined the sheriff's office in 2018 and served with courage, dedication, and a commitment to protecting others.
ODMP lists Sergeant Apodaca as an eight-year Taos County Sheriff's Office veteran who had also served with the county jail and as a member of the Swift Water Rescue Team. This remembrance is offered with respect for his family, fellow deputies, and the Taos County community.
Every End of Watch leaves a family, a department, and a community carrying the weight of a sacrifice made in service to others. Sergeant Apodaca's service will not be forgotten.
Support the organization preserving official memorial records
ThinBlueNews creates original remembrance pages to honor law-enforcement sacrifice. ODMP is the nonprofit maintaining the national officer memorial record and providing support resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and attribution
- ODMP memorial page: Sergeant Joseph Apodaca
- Taos County Sheriff's Office press release: line-of-duty death of Sergeant Joseph Apodaca
- New Mexico Department of Public Safety statement
- ODMP donation page
Featured memorial image: ODMP profile photo of Sergeant Joseph Apodaca with ThinBlueNews memorial overlay and source attribution.
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