LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KTSM) – Hundreds of people, coming from as far as Colorado and as close as El Paso, showed up for the inaugural memorial run Sunday, Feb. 4 in honor of the late New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott, who was killed in the line of duty exactly three years ago.
NM State Police/KTSM
Jarrott was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 10 near Deming, New Mexico on Feb. 4, 2021. The suspect then led law enforcement on a miles-long pursuit that ended on the same highway in Las Cruces, New Mexico where the suspect was killed in a shootout.
The run and walk began at Las Cruces City Hall at 10 a.m., circling around Downtown Las Cruces three times before finishing at the Plaza de Las Cruces. The route was a total of 3.30 miles to match Jarrott’s call sign of 330.
Among the hundreds of people were family, friends and different law enforcement officers, from Las Cruces and New Mexico State Police to the U.S. Border Patrol. Some officers dressed in their uniforms; others joined the hundreds of people clad in T-shirts honoring Jarrott and law enforcement, a memorable sight for his family and legacy.
“I’m speechless to tell you the truth, and I’m so glad that everybody’s out here to honor him and to honor the law enforcement for what they do for us, and it’s a lot,” said Jarrott’s mother Gloria Jarrott.
“It’s really good because it gives not only his daughter, his two other sons and his oldest daughter, it also lets them know that they’re still also going to be supported throughout the rest of their lives to know that their dad was a hero,” said Jarrott’s fiancee Alicia Jarrott.
Las Cruces Police Officer Adrian De La Garza was shot by the suspect that tragic day and was responsible for stopping him. Although De La Garza never met Jarrott, they have been bound together since that day and he organized the memorial run with the help of local agencies.
“Something that changed my life, changed my kids’ life. I’m just happy to see everybody here today, so thank you,” said De La Garza as he addressed the crowd gathered before the start of the run.
“It’s nice just to see that same support today, everybody showing up on a Sunday. I understand it’s their family day and just to take the time off from their family to come be with us and to share this experience with us is just amazing,” De la Garza said.
De la Garza explained that he chose to organize a run so the group of people could do something together in honor of Jarrott. De La Garza said he will continue organizing the memorial run every year and hopes it continues to grow.
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