“Your light will shine forever in our hearts.” -

Las Cruces police officer Nathan Dorado, an academy-mate and friend of Jonah Hernandez, stands in his Honor Guard dress uniform next to the granite bench donated in honor and memory of Hernandez who was killed Feb. 11, 2024, in the line of duty.

Source: Las Cruces Police (via Facebook)

The bench was donated to the Las Cruces Police Department by Las Cruces couple Dawn West and William O’Connell.

The bench, placed in the courtyard of LCPD’s main station, is engraved with Jonah Hernandez’s name and badge number. Also engraved is the poignant message, “Your light will shine forever in our hearts.”

The men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department extend our sincere appreciation to Dawn West and William O’Connell for graciously donating this work of art. Their kind gesture will be a place of rest – and remembrance – for generations to come.

Thank you.

Article posted by:

Editor In Chief

The Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest makes the final editorial and posting decisions regarding content displayed. In most cases, little if any contribution has been made to the actual content of the post, and no credit is taken for the production of the content, itself. If you would like to become a contributor to Las Cruces Digest, please reach out to us using the “Contact” page.