Shot by Cop Killer, NM Officer Got Back Up and Fought Back
Las Cruces police officer Adrian De La Garza is seen shot by suspect Omar Felix Cueva and falling to the ground, but he quickly gets up and continues firing at Cueva until he reaches the suspect's car. Cueva was killed during the shootout with officers.
A New Mexico police officer got back up and returned fire after being shot by the alleged killer of a state trooper, newly released body camera footage from the February incident shows.
The video, which was posted online, shows Las Cruces police officer Adrian De La Garza perform a pit maneuver while pursuing a suspect who allegedly killed New Mexico state police trooper Darian Jarrott during a traffic stop, KFOX 14 reported.
De La Garza is seen shot by suspect Omar Felix Cueva and falling to the ground, but he quickly gets up and continues firing at Cueva until he reaches the suspect's car. Cueva was killed during the shootout with officers.
De La Garza was airlifted to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Cueva was accused of shooting Jarrott multiple times during the routine traffic stop in February with an AR-15-style rifle while he was on his way to Las Cruces for a drug deal, police said.
Afterward, the suspect led officers on a 40-mile chase on Interstate 10 that ended in the fatal shootout.
More Patrol
NLEOMF Honors September 2026 Officers of the Month
Four Bradenton Police Department officers were selected as the NLEOMF Officers of the Month for September 2026 for a nighttime water rescue.
Read More →
Blackhawk Debuts Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool
The Blackhawk Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool stows easily in pants pockets thanks to a sturdy stainless steel pocket clip and incorporates several essential/emergency tools into a single, high-mobility unit.
Read More →
Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →