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Columbus Man Charged In Shooting Death Of New Mexico Police Officer

www.policeone.com

Thousands gathered to pay their respects to Jose Chavez, a New Mexico police officer who authorities say was shot and killed by a Columbus fugitive during a traffic stop in southern New Mexico.

Jesse Denver Hanes, of Columbus, Ohio, faces a murder charge in Chavez's death.

A public funeral for the 33-year-old Chavez was held Sunday afternoon at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.

Law enforcement officers from across the region participated in a procession through Hatch before heading south to Las Cruces.

A father of two, Chavez was a two-year veteran of the Hatch force.

He was shot Aug. 12 and died at an El Paso, Texas, hospital.

Authorities say Hanes also is a suspect in Ohio in the death of a 62-year-old man.

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