'Their sacrifices mean so much': Albuquerque metro area fallen officers remembered at Civic Plaza

May 23—Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputy Angelic Garcia was always there to lend someone a helping hand anytime they needed it, her uncle Arthur Pedroncelli says.

"I did her eulogy," he told the Journal. "It felt so awkward because that was always the role she (had). She always stepped up when there were deaths in the family or somebody had some misfortune."

She was one of 41 Albuquerque metro area officers and deputies who died in the line of duty from 1868 until 2022, whose names were read out loud at Thursday morning's law enforcement memorial at Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque.

Of the 41, 16 were from the Albuquerque Police Department; 10 from BCSO, three apiece from the Rio Rancho Police Department and Valencia County Sheriff's Office, two from the sheriff's offices in Sandoval and Torrance counties, and one each from the Bernalillo, Bosque Farms, Moriarty and Mountainair police departments and Ranchos de Albuquerque Constable's Office, the event program states.

Valencia County spokesman Lt. Joe Rowland told the Journal there were seven fallen officers from the county dating back to the 19th century.

As the names were read and the bells rang for each one, "we commend them to their Good Shepherd, trusting that He has led them safely home," APD Head Chaplain Barb Tegtmeier said.

On March 4, 2001, Garcia lost control of her patrol car and slammed into a tree near Fourth and Ranchitos NW while responding to a call, the Journal reported.

Garcia, who had been on the force for three years, was 26.

'You're worse than Mighty Mouse'

Pedroncelli said Garcia wanted to be in law enforcement ever since she was a girl.

Her biggest obstacle was her height, Pedroncelli said. She was "5-foot nothing," but she fought "tooth and nail until they let her in" to the police academy, he said.

"We were extremely proud of her," he said. "But at the same (time), because of her stature, we were concerned."

Garcia did not let that deter her. Pedroncelli said people would kid her about her height until one day she pulled someone over in the East Mountains. When the person got physical with Garcia, Pedroncelli said, she lifted the person up and put the person in the back of the patrol car.

He said the person told Garcia, "You're worse than Mighty Mouse."

"She was known as a great motivator. She was known as one who pushed those around her to do better," former BCSO Sheriff Joe Bowdich said in 2001.

Garcia's family was so proud of her achieving her dreams that their apprehensions about her joining the force waned.

"After her first year, our fears kind of started to subside a little bit because she was doing so well," Pedroncelli said. "I think that was kind of our downfall, too, because we kind of let our guards down.

"Two years later, we lose her."

This week, Pedroncelli attended two more law enforcement memorial services. The other was in Santa Fe on Wednesday.

"It's tough, especially when you see and when you hear really heartbroken people (who) had just lost someone recently," he said. "It (also) opens all the wounds again, unfortunately."

Despite the pain, Pedroncelli said he will always be proud of his niece and the other fallen officers.

Pedroncelli was not the only person on Thursday to express appreciation for the sacrifices Garcia and others made.

"It was a difficult morning to get up, knowing what we were going to face today. But (it's) nothing like (what) the families that sit in front of us are going through every day," BCSO Sheriff John Allen said. "We mourn with you. We are here to honor your loved ones and always remember that we will never forget."

U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Alex Uballez told about 150 to 200 officers and deputies in attendance to continue to keep the community safe and to take care of one another.

"Do not let this dissuade you from serving our community," he said. "The highest honor that we could bring to our fallen brothers and sisters is to persevere in service, whether that means behind the badge or even as a civilian. We all have a duty to this community."

Toward the end of the ceremony, several members of the APD Horse Mounted Unit rode with a riderless horse with the boots facing backward in the stirrups.

"We have a duty to each other," Uballez said, "and the best way that we honor those who have fallen is by never giving up."