Officer dies following shootout in Alamogordo
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ALAMOGORDO, N.M. – Community members came together Monday morning to mourn the loss of Alamogordo police officer Anthony Ferguson. They say he dedicated his life to public service.
Anthony Ferguson was not new to the job, he was a veteran officer with 11 years under his belt.
On Monday, the Alamogordo Police Department held a press conference to update the public.
BACKGROUND
Around 2 a.m. Saturday, Alamogordo police officers tried to stop 26-year-old Dominic De La O at Puerto Rico Avenue and 9th Street. He sped off, and they did not go after him.
Shortly after, De La O crashed into a light pole on Delaware and 1st Street. Once he saw police, he took off running. That’s when shots were exchanged, and De La O shot Ferguson with a sawed-off shotgun.
Another officer returned fire and shot De La O in the leg.
“Other officers on scene rendered aid on scene to Mr. Ferguson and others continued to track the suspect,” said Alamogordo Police Department Chief David Kunihiro. “Officers were eventually able to apprehend the suspect. APD officers and EMR rendered aide to Officer Ferguson on scene, and transported Ferguson to Regional Medical Center for continuing life-saving measures.”
The department announced that Ferguson died late Sunday night.
New Mexico State Police are taking over the criminal investigation.
De La O was treated for his gunshot wound and booked into the Otero County Detention Center on an attempt to commit first-degree murder and other charges.
NMSP told KOB 4 they are not doing additional interviews about the investigation at this time.
SUSPECT HISTORY
The suspect Dominic De La O had two other active criminal cases against him at the time of this deadly shooting.
In January 2022, De La O was driving drunk and fled from law enforcement. He was arrested and released on bond with conditions. But, he violated those conditions with the case pending.
De La O picked up a new case in January 2023. Officers were trying to serve a warrant on him when a foot chase led to a shooting.
Documents say De La O pulled a gun on officers. He was shot.
After that, his conditions were revoked for a bit. In June, after his attorney told a judge the detention center wasn’t providing him with appropriate medical attention.
Twelfth Judicial District Judge Angie Schneider agreed to “give him one more chance.”
He was released just a month before he allegedly shot and killed Alamogordo officer Anthony Ferguson.
A warrant for his arrest was signed just last week.
“In the time it takes to create a social media post, you can draft an email, or make a phone call to all of our legislators and our governor. You can let them know that you believe that they should revisit the bail reform laws, what we call catch and release, that are devastating our communities,” said Alamogordo Mayor Susan Payne.
Payne points to what she calls a failed judicial process, one that creates a catch-and-release system for criminals.
“We need to stop slapping our law enforcement officers in the face by allowing criminals, that they risk their lives to apprehend, back on the streets due to this completely flawed policy,” said Payne.
Keeping more serious and repeat criminals behind bars has been a topic of debate in the Roundhouse the last couple of years. But, so far, all efforts have stalled.
KOB 4 reached out to the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney Scott Key to help break down what, if anything, went wrong here.
No one from that office has returned our calls. But we did receive a statement.
COMMUNITY IN MOURNING
For a small community, this tragedy is felt by everyone. There was a lot of emotion as the public gathered for the update from Alamogordo police.
A memorial was also set up outside the Alamogordo Police Department, so people can pay their respects. Many friends and family have already left cards, flowers, and notes.
Ferguson is survived by his parents and two children.
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