Rio Rancho Officer Gregg “Nigel” Benner

Officer Nigel Benner was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of Pinetree Road and Southern Road at approximately 8:15 pm.

After making contact with the two occupants the vehicle fled and Officer Benner pursued it a short distance before it stopped again in the area of 900 Pinetree Road SE. One of the subjects opened fire on Officer Benner, wounding him, before fleeing again.

Officer Benner was transported to UNM Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

One of the subjects was arrested by members of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office later in the night. The other subject remains at large.

Officer Benner was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Rio Rancho Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and three stepchildren