Officer Involved Shooting Colfax County Sheriff's Office Investigation by New Mexico State Police

Photo by2nd Life Media

On August 8, 2024, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were called to the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 445 in Colfax County for an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving the Colfax County Sheriff's Office.

Per a release by the New Mexico State Police learned that at 12:17 p.m., New Mexico State Police officers and Colfax County Sheriff's Office deputies received a 911 call reporting a male, later identified as Tyrel Richter Cutchie, 42, of Maxwell, NM, was driving a maroon Dodge pickup truck with a camper shell along State Road 505 and had run a Springer Electric Company vehicle off the road. Richter then pointed a gun at the employees in the vehicle.

Officers and deputies arrived in the area and began attempting to locate the Dodge. The truck was located on State Road 505, and a traffic stop was initiated. Cutchie initially stopped but then reversed into a New Mexico State Police patrol vehicle and fled the scene in the truck, initiating a short pursuit.

A successful Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was conducted near the intersection of U.S. 64 and U.S. 445, Although Cutchie tried to flee again but collided head-on with a State Police patrol unit, disabling both vehicles.

At this point in the encounter, two Colfax County deputies discharged their firearms at Cutchie. He was struck by gunfire. Lifesaving measures were immediately started, and EMS personnel were called to the scene. Cutchie unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Two State Police officers and one Colfax deputy received minor injuries during the incident. Please contact the Colfax County Sheriff's Office for information on the deputies involved for their duty status.

New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. The investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review and consideration throughout the process.

The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether an officer's actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney's office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.