Four new Luna County deputies sworn in by Sheriff

DEMING – Luna County Sheriff Kelly Gannaway swore in four new deputies to the Luna County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. They were hired, or transferred, on March 7, and will go through 11 weeks of on-the-job training, or field training.

Deputy Raymond Lazos is already certified through the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, with prior experience in the Village of Hatch.

Deputies Manuel Mendez, Juan Ochoa, and Chris Rodriguez are uncertified, but each have experience with the Luna County Detention Center. The uncertified deputies will have to attend a 16-week training academy in Santa Fe.

“This is a fine group of new deputies," Sheriff Gannaway said. "They’re coming in at a time when we really need the help.”

The Sheriff’s Office already has two deputies in the law enforcement academy, scheduled to graduate in May. “My patrol division only has 18 field deputies, so having that many vacancies has caused some staffing issues," Gannaway disclosed. "We’ve had to move some people around and some are doubling up on duties. Even my captains are answering calls for service and serving court processes.”

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Four new Luna County deputies sworn in by Sheriff