Officers cleared of wrongdoing in shootout

An interview review of two Tucumcari police officers involved in a Nov. 11 shootout with a fleeing suspect cleared them of any possible wrongdoing, and they returned to duty.

The Tucumcari Police Department stated in a social-media post Nov. 23 the two officers — identified as Justin Garcia and Santo Saenz in court records — were placed immediately on paid administrative leave after the incident, pending the review.

“That review has been completed and it has been determined both officers actions were appropriate,” the post stated. “The officers were returned to duty Nov. 22, 2021.”

No one was injured in the shootout between officers and Lawrence P. Rivas, 26, after he allegedly forced a woman driver to evade police on city streets while children were inside the vehicle. Rivas was wanted on an arrest warrant.

Rivas is accused of firing at least one shot at the officers after the vehicle stopped in the 500 block of South Fifth Street. The officers returned fire several times. Bullets stuck the side of a house, including through a living-room window, and one bullet hit a rear reflector light of the vehicle, court records stated.

Rivas was arrested after a foot chase in the neighborhood. He is charged with eight felonies, the most serious which can lead up to 18 years in prison.

New Mexico State Police conducted the criminal investigation.