Retired Las Cruces police chief dies after battle with cancer

A former Las Cruces police chief has died after his battle with cancer, according to the department.

Jaime Montoya was chief of the department from December 2013 until his retirement in December 2017, according to the LCPD Facebook page.

Upon his retirement, Montoya thanked the community.

“It has been rewarding to work for the City of Las Cruces and its citizens,” Montoya said. “I wish nothing but the best for the future of the Las Cruces Police Department and the City. I will never be able to repay the community, the city and the department for all they have given me.”

Montoya was a 26-year veteran of the department, who graduated from the police academy in 1991, according to LCPD. Among his roles were patrol officer, traffic officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant prior to becoming a deputy chief in 2010.