{"id":21906,"date":"2025-06-09T21:44:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T03:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/bloomfield-officer-timothy-ontiveros-remembered-for-duty-smile\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:10:23","slug":"bloomfield-officer-timothy-ontiveros-remembered-for-duty-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/bloomfield-officer-timothy-ontiveros-remembered-for-duty-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"Bloomfield officer Timothy Ontiveros remembered for duty, smile"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bloomfield
Bloomfield Police Department police officers bring the casket and body of officer Timothy Ontiveros onto the field at the beginning of the funeral service on Monday at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

The sound of scores of sirens pierced the morning air as the procession carrying Bloomfield Police officer Timothy Scott Ontiveros pulled into the Bloomfield football stadium and hundreds of residents joined hundreds of first responders and dignitaries to pay tribute to a fallen hero Monday.<\/p>\n

Ontiveros was shot the night of Memorial Day during a routine traffic stop. Despite intensive medical intervention, he succumbed to those injuries on June 1. On Monday, family, friends, colleagues and the community gathered to grieve and mourn.<\/p>\n

In a celebration of life marked by ceremony, the hearse transporting the casket of Ontiveros, 32, pulled into the stadium, followed by dozens of police vehicles, firetrucks and ambulances. An honor guard of first responders fired their rifles as the casket was brought to the center stage set up on the football field.<\/p>\n

The funeral was led by Dr. Michael Napier, former senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Aztec. He began with a Bible reading from Psalms emphasizing God\u2019s presence and comfort. He then read from Romans, Chapter 13, which he explained is very relevant to first responders. The passage highlighted the role of governing authorities and law enforcement and the importance of submitting to authority.<\/p>\n

\"Bloomfield
Bloomfield Police Department Chief Phillip Francisco presents the folded U.S. flag to Pamela Sanchez, mother of the fallen Officer Timothy Ontiveros, during the funeral service on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"New
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham presents the flag flown at the state capitol to Bloomfield Police Department Officer Timothy Ontiveros' mother, Pamela Sanchez, at the beginning of the funeral service on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

He led a prayer, asking for comfort for Ontiveros\u2019 family and friends, which were legion. \u201cHe was loved and admired by many, and his impact on those around him will never be forgotten,\u201d he said in tribute.<\/p>\n

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham presented the state flag that had been flown at half-staff over the state Capitol in Santa Fe to Ontiveros\u2019 mother.<\/p>\n

People were then led in singing \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d by Les Cumiford.<\/p>\n

Napier eulogized Ontiveros, who was born in Texas and leaves behind his mother, Pamela Sanchez, and father, Mark Ontiveros, children AvyAnna, Drake, Jonathan and GraceLynn, as well as siblings, step-siblings, aunts, nephews and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Tim arrived in Aztec, he began working for Big O Tires in Aztec. He made lifelong friends and loved what he did, but he always had an interest in being a first responder. Tim served as a volunteer firefighter for the Aztec Fire Department in 2018. He then started his career in law enforcement with the Farmington Police Department.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ontiveros joined the Bloomfield Police Department in December 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cTimothy was a dedicated police officer committed to serving and protecting his community. Tim had a huge smile,\u201d Napier said. He asked for a show of hands from those who \u201cever saw Tim\u2019s big old smile,\u201d and hands shot up throughout the crowd.<\/p>\n

Beyond his professional life, Ontiveros cherished his family and friends and had many hobbies, including shooting pool, singing karaoke, dancing and riding his motorcycles.<\/p>\n

Bloomfield Chief of Police Phillip Francisco also paid tribute to Ontiveros and expressed gratitude for the support received from other departments and the community since the death. \u201cIt\u2019s been a very difficult week for us all,\u201d he said. \u201cI cannot fully express my gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Law
Law enforcement officers from state-wide participate in a rifle salute known as the three volleys for Bloomfield Police Department Officer Timothy Ontiveros during the funeral service on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The U.S. flag draped casket of Bloomfield Police Department Officer Timothy Ontiveros rests on the football field on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Francisco then went on to explain the significance of the Thin Blue Line flag and its representation of law enforcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt symbolizes police as the thin line between law and order and chaos in society. The blue stands for the uniforms many police departments wear. It\u2019s a simple concept for a complicated task,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCompassion, empathy, deescalation, mediation, counseling and social work are things that officers do much more often than anything else. Tim embodied this idea of holding a thin blue line in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Napier shared several stories from the public which highlighted his professionalism, compassion, and impact on the community and his colleagues.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have pulled together like a family. Some days are harder than others, but Tim wanted us to carry on and continue to hold that thin line. We can opt to do it the way he did with respect and empathy,\u201d he said. \u201cOfficer Ontiveros, we will miss you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. It will not be forgotten. Rest easy. We will have the watch from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Law
Law enforcement officers from state-wide take the U.S. flag off of the casket for folding during the funeral services for Bloomfield Police Department Officer Timothy Ontiveros on Monday, June 9, 2025 at Bobcat Stadium. (Curtis Ray Benally\/Special to the Tri-City Record)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

After Cumiford sang \u201cI Can Only Imagine,\u201d Napier spoke about the importance of faith in law enforcement and the impact of Timothy\u2019s personal faith and relationship with Jesus. He encouraged all assembled to have faith in Jesus and to approach Him for guidance and comfort. He then led a final prayer, asking for comfort and strength for Timothy\u2019s family and friends.<\/p>\n

This last prayer was followed by several ceremonies, which included the final call from dispatch announcing the end of watch for Badge 302.<\/p>\n

There was a ringing of the fire bell, followed by a rifle salute, or three volleys. The N.M. Fire and Police Pipes and Drums, joined by the Santa Fe Firefighter Pipes and Drums and Albuquerque Police, played as the casket was carried back to the hearse by pallbearers Sgt. Michael Wells, Sgt. T.J. Brown, Sgt. Christian Waltermire, officer Dylan Weaver, officer Justin Lynch, officer A.J. Peterson, officer Chase McDonald and Detective David Gonzales, with honorary pallbearer Kieren Sanchez.<\/p>\n

A procession was led back to Farmington Funeral Home for a viewing for first responders from 1 to 3 p.m. and public viewing from 3 to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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