‘Not in Vain’ Concludes 2025 Operation

Operation Not in Vain concluded its 2025 run with more than 250 arrests, more than 1,000 traffic stops and more than 800 consensual contacts with residents during its five-month exercise.

The months-long crime reduction operation, now in its second year, is in memory of fallen Las Cruces Police Department Officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed Feb. 11, 2024, in the line of duty. The 2025 operation ran April 28 through Aug. 29.

“The New Mexico State Police is proud to have assisted in Operation Not in Vain alongside our local and federal partners,” said NMSP Chief Troy Weisler. “This effort not only honors the memory of Officer Jonah Hernandez but also demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies unite for a common goal: protecting our communities.”

Operation Not in Vain 2025 by the numbers:

• 120 felony arrests
• 134 misdemeanor arrests
• 31 criminal citations
• 333 traffic citations
• 1,038 traffic stops
• 50 trespass warnings
• 24 warrants executed
• 19 firearms seized or recovered
• 14 stolen vehicles recovered
• 16 seizures of narcotics
• 182 reports taken
• 819 contacts with residents
• 264 contacts with businesses

Operation Not in Vain 2025 also accounted for the seizure of 2,439 fentanyl pills, 53.6 grams in variant forms of fentanyl, 75.9 grams of methamphetamine, and measurable amounts of cocaine and heroin.

Through July, LCPD has recorded an overall 12-percent reduction in crime in 2025.

“We’re pleased with the results of this operation and encouraged by the cooperation we received from our local and federal law enforcement partners,” said LCPD Chief Jeremy Story. “We could not have achieved these results without their help.”

The operation utilized law enforcement personnel and resources from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State University Police, Metro Narcotics, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office along with several federal agencies.

The Las Cruces Police Department is the lead agency in the operation.

The Not in Vain results are in addition to the arrests, citations and enforcement efforts made by law enforcement personnel during regular shifts with their respective agencies and further amplify the impact of the operation.