Slain Alamogordo police officer identified as 33-year-old Clint Corvinus

The Alamogordo police officer killed in the line of duty Friday has been identified as 33-year-old Clint Corvinus.

Police said Corvinus and a fellow officer were pursuing 38-year-old Joseph Moreno on the 1600 block of South Florida Avenue. Moreno allegedly had three active warrants for his arrest on charges of Felon in Possession of a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Residential Burglary, and Escape From Custody.

Photos of Joseph Moreno courtesy of APD

During a foot pursuit, Moreno and the officers exchanged gunfire. Police said Moreno was mortally wounded at the scene. Officer Corvinus also suffered gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Officer Corvinus, a three year veteran of the Alamogordo Police Department, is survived by his parents, daughter and girlfriend.

In a statement, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez said she was saddened by the officer’s death and that violence against law enforcement in the state must end.

Officer Clint Cornivus

“I am again so very saddened to see that yet another courageous law enforcement officer has been killed in the line of duty. I ask all New Mexicans to keep this brave officer’s family and friends in their thoughts and prayers. The violence against our police officers has to end, and we must do everything we can to stand up for those who put their lives on the line every single day to protect us,” Martinez said.

A message on the Las Cruces Police Department’s Facebook page states, “Las Cruces stands with Alamogordo. The Las Cruces Police Department extends its collective thoughts and prayers to family and friends of the Alamogordo Police officer who died today in the line of duty. The men and women of LCPD offer our sincere and deepest condolences. Today, like always, we stand with our brothers and sisters in blue from Alamogordo. God be with you today and always.”

The officer’s death comes three weeks after authorities say an Ohio fugitive gunned down Officer Jose Chavez during a traffic stop in the village of Hatch.