NMSP honors officer

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The New Mexico State Police honored a Grants/Milan office sergeant last month in a Santa Fe recognition ceremony.

Sgt. Luis Hernandez from the District 6 branch office in Milan received the Distinguish Challenge Coin in for locating and apprehending missing Youth Diagnostic and Development Center resident Juan Cortez on Nov. 12.

Hernandez initiated the arrest of Cortez, 20, in a housing division in San Rafael. The arrest stemmed from information Hernandez had gathered from an informant, said Lt. Eric Garcia, NMSP spokesman.

Hernandez reviewed, researched and confirmed the information and led the team of authorities, Investigations Bureau and uniform officers to the suspected area, and coordinated the capture of the escapee,Garcia stated.

“The leadership traits that Sergeant Hernandez exemplified resulted in the capture of a fugitive ... only those few that have gone over and beyond their tour of duty have received the coveted coin,” the spokesman said.