The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024. when Las Cruses Police Officer Jonah Hernandez, was responding to a trespassing call by the owner of the property on the 300 block of south Valley Drive.

There has been a history of trespassing, vandalism, starting fires, erratic behavior and people leaving needles on that property. The suspect was confronted by the property owner the day before and asked or told to leave.

The investigation has revealed that, when officer Hernandez arrived at the scene, the suspect, Armando Silva, 29, immediately attacked him with a large kitchen knife. After stabbing officer Hernandez, Silva, a man with a history of crimes and mental ilness, tried attacking a bystander who witnessed the unprovoked attack on Hernandez. That witness retrieved his own firearm, shot and killed Silva.

Another witness then utilized Hernandez’s radio to call for help.


Officer Hernandez was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Hernandez served as a Las Cruces Police Department officer since June 2022.

Officer Jonah Hernandez is survived by his wife, Yesenia Lopez, and two sons: Sebastian Jonah, 10, and 2-year-old Joaquin Leonel. Hernandez was from El Monte, California., and grew up in El Paso, Texas. He was a 2006 graduate of Americas High School.