Etched in Stone
Permanent memorial placed at site of NMSP officer's death

Bernice Aragon hugs New Mexico State Police Officer Billy Cunningham after he placed a stone to mark the spot where Aragon's son, NMSP Officer Lloyd Aragon, Sr. was killed on Aug. 1, 2001 while Rev. Connie Archuletta of the Zion ministries of Milan and Sgt. Thomas Archuletta of the Milan Police Department walk over to thank Cunningham. Cunningham was with Aragon when he was struck by a car driven by Zachariah Craig and killed instantly. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Jim Maniaci
Cibola County Bureau

Lloyd Aragon Jr. and his sister, Adrianna, shovel dirt around a stone placed in the I-40 median west of the Los Lunas exit that marks where their father, Lloyd Aragon Sr., was killed on Aug. 1, 2001. A roadside memorial service was held to honor Aragon, then the marker was placed on the exact spot where he was struck by a car. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

MILE MARKER 126 — Officer Lloyd Aragon Sr. died in the line of duty more than five years ago. Now his faithful companion K-9 Barry will have a new home with his mother, Veroniza "Bernice" Aragon.

And Barry will help to keep alive her memories of her oldest son.

The big, lively brown male dog's new kennel will be built by fellow New Mexico State Police Division officers at her home outside of Grants and she is excited. Barry is now on a medical retirement from the New Mexico State Police Division.

"We'll put it between the two apricot trees where Lloyd used to roast chiles and hot dogs," she said while riding back to town from the special memorial service. Barry will join "Ruger," a female German shepherd she has now.

She learned of her fortune Tuesday afternoon at a brief ceremony for her son, who was 37 when Zacariah Craig ran him down in the median of Interstate 40 at Mile Marker 126 just west of the State Hwy. 6 interchange. Several of the division's K-9 officers and their officer-handlers attended the ceremony, along with captains, lieutenants, sergeants and officers from several departments.

Part of the ceremony was the placing of a white Colorado marble memorial, which she designed. It featured his silhouette on the left and Barry's on the right. At the top is "NM State Trooper, Lloyd Aragon Sr., September 24, 1964, August 1, 2001, Rest in Peace." The silhouettes and words are black engravings in the white stone.

Lasting Memories of Milan fabricated and delivered it without charge and it was the first such memorial Hugh Sheldrick's company will provide free of charge to the family of any law enforcement officer local, state, tribal or federal killed in the line of duty in New Mexico.

Another part of the ceremony was a brief sermon by Rev. Connie Archuleta of Zion Ministries of Milan who noted that once a person dies, all his or her survivors have are their memories. Aragon attended her church and she noted his faith was deepened, especially in has final two years.

Rev. Archuleta's son, Tomas, Milan's police sergeant, comforted Mrs. Aragon who had held up bravely until then when she broke down into deep sobs as her 16-year-old grandson, "Little Lloyd," helped Officer Billy Cunningham pack dirt around the edge of the flat stone as family and officers added the traditional shovels of dirt.

Among those performing the honors were State Police Lt. Rudy Mora, Sgt. Jonathan Salazar, Officers Arsenio Chavez who helped place Barry's paw on the stone Beau Johnson and Penny Ryan.

The deceased officer's mother also carries a memory of him with her all the time, a heart-shaped gold medal on a gold chain around her neck. It says, "In Loving Memory, Son," and has an etching of his official photo.

Aragon's widow, Monica, who lives in the Albuquerque area, and his son, Lloyd Jr., and daughter, Adrianna, presented Sgt. Chip Davis of the Grants sub-district station in Milan, a copper memorial plaque to be hung in the lobby. It features a theme of protecting and serving.

The convoy left Milan shortly after noon, led by NMPSD'S Cunningham. He and Milan Village Police Chief Jerry Stephens placed the monument onto a concrete base installed by Aaron Dean, who led the American Legion New Mexico Chapter 6 Riders from the two Legion posts in Grants and Milan in the convoy.

To contact reporter Jim Maniaci in Grants, telephone 285-6184 or (505) 870-7775 (cell).