HOBBS, NM : Southeastern New Mexico sheriff killed in crash on Tuesday, January 17th 2017

Authorities say a southeastern New Mexico sheriff has died in a crash.

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said Sheriff Steve Ackerman died Tuesday as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. There were no passengers the vehicle.

The office says New Mexico State Police is handling the investigation. No other details were immediately available.

It’s believed that Ackerman may have been heading to Santa Fe for the start of the New Mexico legislative session.

A husband and father, Ackerman was elected in 2014 as the top law enforcement officer in Lea County, which borders the Texas-New Mexico state line.

Ackerman previously served as chief deputy and had worked for the sheriff’s office for about 15 years. He also had worked for other county agencies and as an instructor at the law enforcement academy.

Source :
Southeastern New Mexico sheriff killed in crash