Lea County, NM – On January 8, 2020, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Lea County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). On January 8, 2020, at approximately 9:11 p.m., Lea County Sheriff’s Deputy Patrick Burke attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white 4-door passenger car with a Texas license plate. Deputy Burke recognized the vehicle, as a vehicle which was reported stolen three days prior to the Hobbs Police Department. The vehicle pulled into the Eagle Ridge Apartments in Hobbs, NM, causing Deputy Burke to temporary lose sight of the vehicle. Deputy Burke located the vehicle in the back of the apartment complex. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene, striking Deputy Burke’s patrol unit head on. At that time, Deputy Burke exited his patrol unit to give verbal commands to the driver of the vehicle when the driver drove at Deputy Burke striking him in the leg. Deputy Burke drew his department issued firearm and fired at least one shot towards the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed. Deputies searched for the vehicle and located the vehicle abandoned at the Four Seasons Apartment Complex in Hobbs. The driver of the vehicle has not been located or identified at this time. Deputy Burke was treated and released on scene for injuries believed to be non-life threating by Emergency Medical Personnel. Deputy Patrick Burke has been employed with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office for 5 years. For information regarding the stolen vehicle and administrative actions please contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.
UPDATE: Police Shooting Involving Lea County Sheriff’s Office
Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 1/24/2020
This update names the officer involved and what led up to the shooting.
Lea County, NM – On January 8, 2020, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Lea County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). On January 8, 2020, at approximately 9:11 p.m., Lea County Sheriff’s Deputy Patrick Burke attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white 4-door passenger car with a Texas license plate. Deputy Burke recognized the vehicle, as a vehicle which was reported stolen three days prior to the Hobbs Police Department. The vehicle pulled into the Eagle Ridge Apartments in Hobbs, NM, causing Deputy Burke to temporary lose sight of the vehicle. Deputy Burke located the vehicle in the back of the apartment complex. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene, striking Deputy Burke’s patrol unit head on. At that time, Deputy Burke exited his patrol unit to give verbal commands to the driver of the vehicle when the driver drove at Deputy Burke striking him in the leg. Deputy Burke drew his department issued firearm and fired at least one shot towards the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed. Deputies searched for the vehicle and located the vehicle abandoned at the Four Seasons Apartment Complex in Hobbs. The driver of the vehicle has not been located or identified at this time. Deputy Burke was treated and released on scene for injuries believed to be non-life threating by Emergency Medical Personnel. Deputy Patrick Burke has been employed with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office for 5 years. For information regarding the stolen vehicle and administrative actions please contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.
Lea County, NM – On January 8, 2020, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Lea County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). On January 8, 2020, at approximately 9:11 p.m., Lea County Sheriff’s Deputy Patrick Burke attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white 4-door passenger car with a Texas license plate. Deputy Burke recognized the vehicle, as a vehicle which was reported stolen three days prior to the Hobbs Police Department. The vehicle pulled into the Eagle Ridge Apartments in Hobbs, NM, causing Deputy Burke to temporary lose sight of the vehicle. Deputy Burke located the vehicle in the back of the apartment complex. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene, striking Deputy Burke’s patrol unit head on. At that time, Deputy Burke exited his patrol unit to give verbal commands to the driver of the vehicle when the driver drove at Deputy Burke striking him in the leg. Deputy Burke drew his department issued firearm and fired at least one shot towards the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled from the deputy at a high rate of speed. Deputies searched for the vehicle and located the vehicle abandoned at the Four Seasons Apartment Complex in Hobbs. The driver of the vehicle has not been located or identified at this time. Deputy Burke was treated and released on scene for injuries believed to be non-life threating by Emergency Medical Personnel. Deputy Patrick Burke has been employed with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office for 5 years. For information regarding the stolen vehicle and administrative actions please contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.
