Officer Timothy Ontiveros - Bloomfield Police Department - New Mexico

On May 26, 2025, at approximately 10:55 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted in Bloomfield, New Mexico by Officer Timothy Ontiveros and another officer - both from the Bloomfield Police Department.  

After Officer Ontiveros and the other officer conducted the traffic stop, the male driver refused to roll down his window or give his identity. After negotiating with the subject for over eight minutes, the officers attempted to arrest the man. The subject pulled out a gun and fired at officers, striking Officer Ontiveros and barely missing the other officer, who returned fire, killing the subject.

Officer Ontiveros was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington with gunshot wounds to his neck and shoulder. He was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he passed away on June 1, 2025. As his final act of service, his organs were donated.

Officer Ontiveros had served with the Bloomfield Police Department for six months and previously served with the Farmington Police Department for almost a year. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Aztec Fire Department. He is survived by his daughters.

As part of our "Plaques for Heroes" campaign, engraved slate memorial plaques were sent to the Bloomfield Park Police Department and to Ontiveros' family at no cost to honor his service and his sacrifice to the community of Bloomfield, New Mexico. Our condolences to his family, his department and the community he served.