Darian Jarrott, Police Officer Shot Dead By Drug Dealer During Routine Traffic Stop

Officer Darian Rey Jarrott with New Mexico State Police, died in the line of duty on Feb. 4, after he was shot by a drug dealer during a routine traffic stop.

Darian was born April 10, 1992, in the town of Silver City in New Mexico.

He began his career as a Detention Officer and later became an Inspector with the Department of Motor Transportation.

He then worked with the Department of Public Safety and became a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in 2014. He joined the New Mexico State Police in July 2015.

Darian is survived by his wife Gabriella D. Jarrott; his parents, John and Gloria Jarrott; children Darian Jarrott Jr., Noah Rey Jarrott, Ariella Rey Jarrott, and 1 child on the way; brother John Rosalio Jarrott Jr., sisters Demetria Jarrott and Alicia Jarrott.

He was laid to rest on Friday.

Darian’s brother who is incarcerated at Guadalupe County Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa, could not attend the funeral due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"I don’t care if I’m in shackles and chains, that means nothing to me, I’m not asking to get released, I’m just asking to go to his services," KFOX TV quoted the brother. "It would mean the world to bury him."

What Happened?

The state police have released disturbing dashcam video of the violent Feb. 4, encounter.

Darrian is seen standing near the window of a Chevrolet pick-up truck and having a conversation with the suspect sitting inside the car.

The criminal, 39-year-old Omar Felix Cueva, who police say had a "violent criminal history" including drug charges involving cocaine and meth, was stopped on the eastbound Interstate 10 between Deming and Las Cruces after noticing his windows were tinted.

"Good afternoon, sir. My name is Darrian Jarrott. I'm with New Mexico State Police. The reason for the stop is your window tint is a little too dark," the officer is heard saying in the video.

Following a brief conversation with the suspect, Jarrott noticed that the man was armed.

"You have a firearm on you, do you mind if I take that off you, for my own safety?"

Cueva is then seen stepping out of the driver’s side of the vehicle with an AR-15-style rifle before firing shots at the officer.

The 28-year-old officer falls to the ground after being hit by a bullet. Cueva is seen walking over to the officer and shooting him several times, including a point-blank shot to the head. He then fled the scene on his truck.

A Homeland Security Investigations agent, who arrived at the scene a short while after Cueva fled, reportedly notified dispatch that an officer was down.

Officers from New Mexico State Police, the Cruces Police Department, the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office, and US Border Patrol, engaged in a 40-mile chase, during which the suspect exchanged fire with the police.

The fleeing vehicle was forced off the highway after police used tire deflation devices and other maneuvers.

Armed troopers surrounded the vehicle and engaged in a final exchange of gunfire during which, the suspect was shot to death.

Las Cruces police officer, Adrian De La Garza, suffered injuries during the final shootout. He was flown to a nearby hospital by helicopter. Doctors reported that his injuries were not life-threatening.

Heartfelt Condolences

"I am shocked, heartbroken, and enraged by the loss of this public servant. I am praying for the local officer who was also shot and injured," New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

"I am horrified as we grieve another life cut down, another family crushed by senseless violence in our state."

"Violent crime is a scourge on New Mexico, and the men and women who step up and put on the badge to protect our communities fight it with everything they've got every day," the governor said.