On January 26, 1991, Deputy Jerry Arnold Martinez of the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Department in New Mexico met a tragic end in the line of duty. Martinez, who was 30 years old at the time of his death, was part of a response to a domestic dispute that would escalate into one of the deadliest incidents in modern Rio Arriba County history.
The events unfolded when Martinez and State Police Sgt.
Glen Huber were dispatched to serve a temporary restraining order at the residence of Ricky Abeyta in Chimayó, New Mexico. The restraining order had been requested by Abeyta's estranged girlfriend, Ignacita Vasquez Sandoval, just three days prior. Upon arrival, the officers were met with a volatile situation. Abeyta, who was described as a skilled hunter and had a history of domestic violence, had become enraged upon learning that his girlfriend was moving out and had obtained the restraining order.
As Martinez and Huber attempted to serve the order, Abeyta caught them by surprise. He used a 7.65 mm rifle to commit the murders, shooting both officers. Martinez was shot twice in the head, and Huber was shot in the head through the window of his car.
The rampage did not stop with the officers; Abeyta continued his violent spree, killing several members of Sandoval's family. The victims included Ignacita Vasquez Sandoval, her daughter Maryellen Sandoval, Maryellen's boyfriend Macario Gonzales, their 5-month-old son Justin Gonzales, and Sandoval's sister Cheryl Rendon. Additionally, Sandoval's 13-year-old son, Eloy, was wounded but survived the attack.
Ricky Abeyta, born on March 3, 1962, was the primary suspect and perpetrator of this massacre. He was known to the community as a skilled hunter and lived in a sparsely populated neighborhood near Chimayó. Following the shootings, Abeyta was apprehended the next day, bringing an end to the immediate danger but leaving a community in shock and grief.
Abeyta was subsequently charged with the shooting deaths of the seven victims. He was sentenced to 146 years in prison on December 20, 1991, for his role in the Chimayó massacre. This incident remains one of the most tragic and memorable in the history of Rio Arriba County, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
The aftermath of the incident saw a significant impact on the community and the families of the victims. The memory of Deputy Jerry Martinez and the other victims has been kept alive through memorials and reflections, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and the importance of addressing domestic violence.
