Alamogordo community saddened by officer Cornivus’ death

The shooting death of Officer Clint Corvinus has touched off a lot of emotion in this community of nearly 30,000 people.

Alamogordo Police officials told ABC-7 officers encountered a suspect with three outstanding warrants on the 1600 block of South Florida Avenue. The suspect, 38-year-old Joseph Moreno, allegedly tried to run away and fired at police during a foot pursuit.

Jonathan Baker, who works for a heating and cooling company, witnessed the shootout and its aftermath: a police officer and the suspect dead.

“They were all jumping out of vehicles and it looked like try had just shot the suspect and they went up to him to try to see if he was still alive,” Baker said.

The suspect’s arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting. “The sister was hysterical, screaming, ‘that was my brother.’ It was a frightening experience,” Baker said.

Over at police headquarters, a somber atmosphere as residents created a makeshift memorial for Officer Corvinus.

Dolores Troncoso told ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom she knew Cornivus. “He was always happy, he has a daughter and I just saw him yesterday,” Troncoso said, “I think we’re all in shock because he’s a young man, he’s lovable and my memories of him are beautiful.”

Trish O’Connor, wife of a Tularosa police officer, was crying as they dropped off flowers at the memorial outside police headquarters. “This hit way too close to home, this could have been my husband,” O’connor said, “This was a senseless act. My husband was chasing the suspect just this past week, this could have been him. It’s just too much and it needs to stop.”

“We have to wake up every morning with my dad putting on that vest and going to work,” said Trish’s son, Cassidy O’Connor, “My school was on lockdown and the first thing I thought was: is my dad okay? Is he going to come home tonight?”

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