03/31/2024
SFPD Identify Officers in March OIS
Santa Fe - March 28, 2024, The Santa Fe Police Department is providing an update on the March OIS on Vereda de Encanto by releasing the names of the principal officers that discharged their department fi****ms.
The principal officers are Detective Manuel Romero (6 years of service), Senior Police Officer Luis Ruiz (5 years of service), and Police Officer II Charles Ovalle (4 years of service). In compliance with standard protocol, these officers were placed on Administrative Leave immediately following this critical incident due to their direct involvement. They have all been evaluated and cleared to return to duty by a mental health professional. All officers have returned to duty, with the exception of Officer Ovalle who was injured during the incident. Officer Ovalle was struck by gunfire and bit by a SFPD police service dog. He remains on leave.
BACKGROUND: On March 10, 2024, Santa Fe Police Officers and New Mexico State Police were actively attempting to apprehend a dangerous suspect, Rick Robert Chavez (35 years old), of Santa Fe who had several active arrest warrants.
Mr. Chavez had the following active arrest warrants:
• Failure to Comply with Conditions of Probation, concerning Trafficking of Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Arrest Warrant for Aggravated Assault Upon a Peace Officer with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
• Arrest Order from Probation, Failure to report , concerning Trafficking of Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Arrest Warrant for Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer
• Failure to Appear for Receiving, Transferring a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Altering or Changing Engine or other Numbers, and Resisting, Evading or Obstructing
• Arrest Warrant for Burglary, Unlawful taking of a Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Damage to Property
Officers confirmed Mr. Chavez was at his father’s residence in the 2800 block of Don Quixote and observed him depart in a vehicle. Mr. Chavez was later located at Rodeo Park Drive West and officers attempted to apprehend the suspect. The suspect began to flee in his vehicle, and police utilized a pursuit intervention technique which was unsuccessful. The suspect drove his vehicle over a dirt berm at Rodeo Park Drive West to avoid apprehension. As Mr. Chavez fled, a collision occurred with a marked Santa Fe Police Unit and his vehicle, disabling the police vehicle. Officers deployed stop stick devices, which Mr. Chavez drove over, causing his tires to deflate. Mr. Chavez fled west on Rodeo Road into a nearby neighborhood on Vereda de Encanto. On Vereda de Encanto, Mr. Chavez exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and was entering another vehicle driven by George Anthony Theragood Jr. (42 years old), who is believed to be a co-conspirator. At least one officer discharged their department firearm, striking Mr. Chavez and Mr. Theragood.
Police rendered aid to the two suspects and to a Santa Fe Police Officer who was also struck by gunfire. The suspects and the officer were transported to a local hospital. Mr. Theragood was treated and later booked into the Santa Fe Adult Detention Center by Santa Fe Police. Mr. Chavez underwent surgery and his condition was initially categorized as stable but critical. SFPD was notified on March 12, 2024, that Mr. Chavez had died at a local hospital.
Mr. Theragood was charged with the following crimes:
• Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer
• Harboring a Felon
• Disarming a Peace Officer
New Mexico State Police responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into the Officer Involved Shooting (OIS). NMSP will provide any additional updates concerning the OIS investigation.
This incident remains under active investigation, updates will be provided as they become available.
SFPD Case #2024-002758
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Media Contact: Ben Valdez, Deputy Chief of Police, (505) 955-5040, [email protected]
City of Santa Fe
