First responders honor Albuquerque police officer killed in hit and run

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – First responders from across the Metro gathered Friday afternoon to honor Albuquerque Police Department Officer Bianca Quintana who was killed in a hit-and-run earlier this week.

Police and firefighters lined an overpass across I-25 near the Big-I around 4 p.m. for the procession escorting Officer Quintana from the Office of the Medical Investigator to the Riverside Funeral Home. Officer Quintana joined APD in 2022 after starting her career with the Los Lunas Police Department in 2020.

APD Chief Harold Medina spoke about the event. “Even though it was an off-duty death, I felt that she had earned the right to be treated like any other officer who loses their life on duty,” said Chief Medina.

Officer Quintana was off-duty and walking near Coors and Chapulin in the South Valley when she was hit early Wednesday morning, just after midnight. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for the driver involved in the incident. Investigators said they believe the vehicle involved is a newer model Volkswagen but do not know the model or color of the vehicle.

APD Chief Harold Medina said he hopes someone will come forward. “Somebody knows something about this. Somebody knows something about how this occurred and who’s responsible. I hope they come forward and they provide authorities with the right information so that the family can have a sense of closure,” said Chief Medina.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP or BCSO at either 505-496-5722 or 505-755-1768. They are asking anyone with surveillance camera footage south of Coors at Rio Bravo to review the footage to see if there are findings that may help the investigation.

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