Patrolman Lowell D. Howard, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico

Patrolman Lowell D. Howard

New Mexico State Police, New Mexico

End of Watch Monday, August 6, 1984

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Lowell D. Howard

Patrolman Lowell Howard and Patrolman David Smith were killed in an airplane accident while performing an aerial speed enforcement operation above Route 550 (modern-day Route 516) near the entrance to Farmington Lake.

After the operation ended, the officers radioed that they were going to fly over the enforcement zone one last time. As they did so, one of the aircraft wheels struck a powerline, causing the Cessna R172E to strike the ground. Both officers were killed instantly.

Patrolman Howard had served with the New Mexico State Police for six years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Bio

Age 37
Tour 6 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident

aircraft accident

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Lowell, your beloved Patsy passed this week, I'm confident that you two have already reunited with each other as I write this. I joined the brotherhood just a year prior to your accident and I remember how sobering it was when it happened. Your death and Manuel Olivas' followed shortly by Sherman Toler made me realize very early in my career the dangers of the job. Who would know 42 years later that I still have skin in the game even though it's on the periphery. .

Michael Pitts Training Management Chief
FLETC Cheltenham , MD

May 29, 2025