Man accused of killing Deputy Peter Herrera has lengthy criminal history

Facundo Chavez, the man who allegedly shot and killed Deputy Peter Herrera has a lengthy criminal record in El Paso County, dating back to 2009.

The latest charge is Capital Murder for the shooting death of deputy Peter Herrera.

Richard D. Wiles, El Paso County Sheriff said: “It’s really a nightmare for a sheriff or chief of police to have to deal with a situation like this.”

According to officials, Chavez fired his gun 15 times after the deputy pulled him over on a traffic stop.

Sheriff Wiles said that they will ask the District Attorney to seek the death penalty.

According to police, Chavez’s girlfriend, who was riding in the vehicle – and had a restraining order against Chavez – said Chavez planned to shoot Herrera the minute he was pulled over. After the alleged shooting, the two then ran from the scene on foot and were captured minutes later in a nearby shed. ABC 7’s Christina Aguayo spoke with the District Attorney’s Office Monday and found out that Chavez was wanted on three outstanding warrants – two of them involving a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend that happened in September of 2018. Herrera was one of the responding officers on that incident.

The third warrant was related to a drug charge from January of this year. Chavez is also awaiting trial on an additional drug charge, that trial set for next month.

Back in 2016 – Chavez was found guilty of being in possession of Heroin. Chavez was given a four year suspended sentence and put on probation, which he violated by allegedly killing Deputy Herrera.

Sheriff Wiles has promised that his department will not be intimidated by criminals. He said, “They may have hit us right in the heart but we’re gonna come back stronger than ever, and we’re gonna continue to do our job, and do it better, with Deputy Herrera looking down on us, and supporting our efforts.”

According to a criminal records search, Facundo Chavez has had six additional charges since 2009 – including possession of marijuana, failing to appear and driving without a license.

Police documents also stated that Chavez had an AK-47 in his vehicle at the time of the shooting

The last time an El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputy died in the line of duty was ten years ago when detention officer Cesar Arreola became ill and died during training.

An El Paso County Deputy hasn’t died as a result of a shooting since 1940.

Nine deputies have lost their lives in the line of duty in El Paso.