‘Not in Vain’ 2025 Edition Begins April 28

The Las Cruces Police Department will team with several local and federal law enforcement agencies for the 2025 edition of Operation Not in Vain, a months-long crime reduction project in memory of fallen Officer Jonah Hernandez.

LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez was killed in the line of duty Feb. 11, 2024, after responding to a trespassing call. The men and women of the Las Cruces Police Department have committed to ensure that Hernandez’s service to the community be remembered.

Hernandez was from El Paso, Texas, and served two years with the Las Cruces Police Department.

“Our first Not in Vain operation was extremely successful and underscored the importance of collaboration among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department. “This year, we’re looking to refine those collaborations, continue pursuing initiatives that make Las Cruces a safer city and keep the memory of Jonah alive in the city he served.”

For the 2025 operation, law enforcement personnel will concentrate on increasing uniformed presence in violent crime hot spots throughout the city with a focus on frequent offenders and those identified as drivers of violent crime in the community.

Operation Not in Vain will utilize law enforcement resources from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office along with several federal agencies.

The initial Operation Not in Vain, held Aug. 5 through Nov. 8, 2024, generated 127 felony arrests, 114 misdemeanor arrests, 89 criminal citations and more than 1,200 traffic citations.

Operation Not in Vain 2025 begins April 28 and is anticipated to run through August.