SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Santa Fe Police Department identified three officers who were involved in a deadly shooting on March 10.
Detective Manuel Romero (6 years of service), Senior Police Officer Luis Ruiz (5 years of service), and Police Officer II Charles Ovalle (4 years of service) were all placed on administrative leave following the shooting, per standard protocol.
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All have been evaluated and cleared to return to duty by a mental health professional, according to the police. Romero and Ruiz returned to duty, while Ovalle, who was shot and bitten by a Santa Fe Police service dog, remains on leave.
The Santa Fe Police Officers and New Mexico State Police were trying to apprehend Rick Robert Chavez, 35, of Santa Fe, who had the following active arrest warrants:
Failure to comply with conditions of probation, concerning trafficking of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Arrest Warrant for aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle
Arrest order from probation, failure to report, concerning trafficking of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia
Arrest warrant for aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer
Failure to appear for receiving, transferring a stolen motor vehicle, altering or changing engine or other numbers, and resisting, evading, or obstructing
Arrest warrant for burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and criminal damage to property
Officers found Chavez at his father’s home in the 2800 block of Don Quixote. Police said Chavez fled in a vehicle, and at one point, collided with a police vehicle. Officers deployed stop stick devices, which Chavez drove over and caused his tires to deflate.
Chavez fled west on Rodeo Road into a nearby neighborhood on Vereda de Encanto. There, police said Chavez got out of the vehicle armed with a handgun and entered another vehicle driven by 42-year-old George Anthony Theragood Jr., who police believed to be a co-conspirator.
Police said at least one officer fired their gun, hitting Chavez and Theragood. Officers provided aid to the two suspects and another officer who was injured.
The suspects and the officer were transported to a local hospital. Chavez later died at the hospital on March 12. Theragood was also treated at the hospital and later booked into the Santa Fe Adult Detention Center by Santa Fe Police.
He was charged with the following crimes:
Conspiracy to commit aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer
Harboring a felon
Disarming a peace officer
New Mexico State Police responded to the scene and is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
