26-year-old indicted in Alamogordo officer's slaying

A 26-year-old was charged Tuesday after allegedly shooting a Alamogordo officer in the face with a shotgun — killing him — during a foot chase earlier this month.

A grand jury indicted Dominic De La O on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated fleeing, aggravated assault and lesser charges in the July 15 death of Officer Anthony Ferguson, 41.

De La O was shot by another officer during the incident but has since been treated and booked into the Otero County Detention Center. His attorney could not be reached Wednesday.

Ferguson’s family could not be reached Wednesday.

An online obituary described Ferguson as an 11-year veteran of the Alamogordo Police Department and father of two teenage children.

“He was known as an exceptional officer, that poured himself into the community,” according to the obituary. “He may not have been religious, but he understood how to love people, how to love like Jesus. Tony is greatly loved by many, and he will be profoundly missed.”

Several people posted to the obituary site, one of them writing, “he was a kind and friendly man, he took the time to listen and help me when something bad happened.”

“If ever there was a more approachable, capable, gracious and accommodating lawman than Sir Anthony, we have yet to meet him,” another man wrote.

Around 2:30 a.m. Saturday an Alamogordo officer tried to stop De La O for driving with no headlights or taillights, according to police. De La O tried to drive off and crashed into a light pole near First and Delaware.

Police said Ferguson and at least one other officer chased De La O on foot when he fired sawed-off shotgun at Ferguson, striking him. The other officer shot De La O in the leg and detained him soon after at a nearby home.

Ferguson was taken off life support the next morning.

It was not De La O’s first run-in with law enforcement. On Jan. 29, De La O was shot twice in the back by Alamogordo police when he pulled a handgun during a scuffle, according to court records.

De La O, who was facing a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors in that case, was released in May when his defense attorney asked he be released “for medical reasons.”

He was released on June 16 and a warrant was issued for his arrest less than a month later when he violated his conditions of release.

Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday to detain De La O until trial in Ferguson’s death, writing that he is “demonstrably dangerous.”