NMSP Officer Justin Hare
an interstate tragedy
As many of you know - New Mexico is my home state and I recently retired from the Albuquerque Police Department. This tragedy occurred approximately three hours east of Albuquerque on Interstate I-40. And ended this morning on the far West-side of Albuquerque.
Every police officer that is murdered in the line of duty is a tragedy. But, it sadly happens so often that the news stories of cops being murdered thousands of miles away can blur together - stories stacked like a pile of books that are waiting to be read. I think it hits a little harder for all of us the closer to home this happens.
What Happened
Tucumcari, NM
On March 15, 2024 at approximately 0540 hrs a New Mexico State Police Officer (NMSP) named Justin Hare was murdered in the line of duty.
According to the NMSP Chief, Officer Hare responded to a call where someone requested assistance for a flat tire on the side of the highway.
Officer Hare responded and observed a white BMW stopped on the shoulder. A man named Jaremy Smith emerged from the driver’s seat, approached the front passenger window of the police vehicle, and made contact with Officer Hare. Officer Hare offered Mr. Smith assistance with his tire and asked if he needed a ride into town.
That was the last conversation that Justin Hare would ever have.
Without warning and in cold blood Mr. Smith produced a firearm and shot Officer Hare - as he sat in his police car. Ambushed. The coward then walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle and shot Officer Hare again.
Mr. Smith then pushed Officer Hare into the passenger side of the vehicle and got into the drivers seat and fled the scene in the police vehicle. At some point Mr. Smith pushed Officer Hare out of the vehicle and onto the side of the frontage road - to die alone on the cold pavement.
The “alert” tone went off from Officer Hare’s radio and another NMSP officer was dispatched to assist. Officer Hare was located, laying alone on the frontage and the NMSP officer and a Quay County deputy rendered aid, called for rescue, and spent the last moments of life with Officer Hare.
Officer Hare was transported to the hospital - where he died.
There was a massive manhunt for Mr. Smith this night and he was able to successfully evade law enforcement.
You Never Know
The thing about police work is that you never know who you are dealing with. Officer Hare was just trying to help someone who was having car trouble. Likely a call that most cops would view as no big deal. There would be no way for any officer to predict this outcome.
The investigation into this case revealed several things:
Mr. Smith is from Marion, South Carolina but had ties to Albuquerque, NM.
The vehicle that Mr. Smith had been driving was registered to Phonesia Machado-Fore - a medic in SC - that had been found dead on March 14, 2024.
Mr. Smith has a lengthy and violent criminal history.
More Shots Fired
As the manhunt intensified and now involved local, county, state, and federal law enforcement - there was a “shots fired” call near Santa Rosa, NM. A rancher was checking on his livestock when a black male began shooting at him. This being a rural area and within 50 miles of the site where Officer Hare was murdered - law enforcement personnel descended on the area and conducted an exhaustive search. But, Mr. Smith (who was the likely shooter) was able to escape.
The rancher was not injured.
Caught!
On March 17, 2024 just before 0900 hrs it was reported by Abq Raw1 that Mr. Smith had been taken into custody and shot by police on Albuquerque’s far West side.
“At 9:30 AM, the New Mexico State Police have confirmed our initial report, which stated that Jaremy Smith was taken into custody after a pursuit and a deputy-involved shooting with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
The Multi-Agency Task Force has initiated an investigation into the deputy-involved shooting. No deputies were injured.”
Remember
A message to all officers who risk their lives and engage in these dangerous manhunts:
These people have nothing to lose.
Kill them - before they kill you.
Final Thoughts
I am often asked why the life of a police officer has “more value” than other people. They question why society briefly pauses and communities unite to grieve together when a police officer is murdered in the line of duty.
And I have thought about this question a lot over the last few years. Because, clearly, all human lives have value and most everyone has made some positive impact on this world and will be missed by family and friends.
I guess, simply, this hits different when it’s someone who is out there protecting us. Because the good guys are not supposed to die like this.
There are no words to express gratitude for those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
Local, independent news source in Albuquerque, NM.
INSTANT DEATH SENTENCE!!!!! Too bad he even had to be "taken into custody". I'd sure like to see this MAGGOT get the same treatment he showed his victims.....but crueler. I'm so tired of reading/hearing about these "repeat offenders with a lengthy criminal history" Rid society of the vermin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!