'We're laying a brother to rest today': Las Cruces police and others say goodbye to officer Jonah Hernandez

Feb. 21—EL PASO — Law enforcement officers stood in front of the Abundant Church entrance Wednesday morning.

Standing next to them were civilians in black suits and dresses.

A few minutes later, several rows of El Paso police motorcycles traveled down Valley Crest Drive. They were followed by a white hearse carrying the body of fallen Las Cruces Police Department officer Jonah Hernandez.

Sniffles could be heard several feet away as his casket was taken out of the hearse and carried into the church.

Hernandez, 35, was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 11 when he was stabbed by 29-year-old Armando Silva while answering a trespassing call in the 300 block of South Valley Drive in Las Cruces.

Another man who witnessed the incident then went to his vehicle, grabbed a firearm and confronted Silva, who attacked him before being shot "at least once." Silva died from his injuries, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said last week.

"We're laying down a brother to rest today," LCPD spokesman Daniel Trujillo said Wednesday.

A big loss

Early Wednesday morning, two Americas High School students stood across the street from Martin Funeral Home East, where Hernandez's body lay before being transported to Abundant Church.

Sophomore Savannah Sanchez said she learned about Hernandez's death at her grandmother's house.

It's a big loss to the community, she said, adding that the school had a moment of silence in his honor.

"He seemed like a great guy," freshman Matthew Polanco said. "It was a tragedy for him to pass away.

"I send my condolences to his family."

'It never gets easier'

Hundreds of people came from across the country, including New York, to pay respects to Hernandez, who was from El Paso and served on the LCPD for two years.

Among those was Patriot Guard Rider Jacob Junell. Wednesday's was the fifth law enforcement officer funeral he has attended.

"It never gets easier," Junell said. "It never gets easier.

"People don't realize what officers do, what they have to deal with and what they give up every time they clock in. So the only way that we can actually say thank you back is to be here supporting the family."

'Will never wonder or doubt if he loved them'

After New Mexico Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie presented the Hernandez family with the state flag that had flown in Jonah's honor, Jonah's wife, Yesenia, addressed the crowd.

She said while Jonah loved serving with the Las Cruces Police Department, she will especially miss his devotion to her and their two boys, Sebastian Jonah Hernandez, 11, and Joaquin Leonel Hernandez, 2.

"I am so happy that our boys will never wonder or doubt if he loved them because he expressed his love to them each day through his actions and his kind words," Yesenia said.

Chief Story said that despite Hernandez's death, it has brought people together. For example, people have united in their support of his family.

The Las Cruces Police Officers' Association set up an online donation portal through GoFundMe with the goal of raising $100,000. At one point Monday afternoon, $123,877 had been raised.

"As time begins to heal, we will cry a little less and smile a little more when we think of him, and there are plenty of good times to remember," Story said.

Dust in the wind

The calm morning at the church gave way to winds and blowing dust as motorcycles escorting the white hearse arrived at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Officers saluted as the casket was taken out of the hearse and put on a casket buddy.

After bagpipes played and Psalm 23 was read, a man shouted out to the crowd, "Ladies and gentleman, prepare yourself for gunfire."

Three shots were fired, followed by the playing of taps and "Amazing Grace."

As "Amazing Grace" played, LCPD officers slowly folded the American flag that had been draped across Hernandez's casket. After the song was finished, the flag was presented to Yesenia.

A few moments later, a central dispatcher made an announcement.

"Central dispatch 989. Central dispatch 989. Central dispatch, for Las Cruces police officer Jonah Hernandez, 989.

"Central dispatch, all units be advised there is no response for Las Cruces police officer 989."

Tears rolled down many faces as the dispatcher continued.

"Officer Hernandez, thank you for your service," and the Las Cruces Police Department has the "watch from here."