One year on: Officer Jos Chvez remembered in Hatch

Today marks the one year anniversary of when 33-year-old Jose Chavez, a two year veteran of the Hatch Police Department, was shot and killed. Chavez was shot during a traffic stop. Officials say Officer Chavez pulled over two men near an R-V park in Hatch; when he approached the car he was shot in the neck.
The man who admitted to shooting chavez — Jesse Hanes was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Chavez left behind a wife and two daughters.

Chavez’s memorial started at 3:40 Saturday afternoon in Hatch, the time when officer Jose Chavez was shot and killed one year ago.

Since then it has been a slow and steady march to healing

“It’s just tough, it’s tough, it’s been a tough year. Hopefully with this we can help our police department….we’ll never forget, but maybe this will help us move on, help us bring closure,” said Lupe Castillo, a family friend.

“They’re feeling good now, we got a strong community here so they’re doing fine,” said Hatch Mayor Andy Nuñez.

The balloons released all marked 105, Chavez’s badge number.

“[His] mom’s still….it’s too fresh, it’s been a year, she wanted to spend it with her family, with her daughters, probably with her grandkids, Chavez’s kids,” Castillo said.

Just minutes later Mrs. Chavez walked through the doors, thanking friends for their support for the past year. Mrs. Chavez crying as students read poems honoring Officer Chavez.

Then, the Hatch Chief of Police, standing to address the crowd, his words private, only spoken for those present.

Neither Chavez’s mother nor Chief were ready to speak on camera, but the chief did explain the department was slowly healing, the mayor explaining how hard it had been.

“We have not filled the position because we didn’t want to rush it too much, but next week we will have a new officer taking his place,” Nuñez said.

The police chief even said once Chavez’s post is filled, he will never be forgotten.