Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Hector Mario Nava Jr.
Age : 45
Gender : Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 07/31/2021
Location :
City : Jal
County : Lea
State : New Mexico
Agency : Jal Police Department
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Taser
Event : Died in police custody
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 07/31/2021, Hector Mario Nava Jr. died after a traffic stop and detention by the Jal Police Department in Jal, New Mexico. Police stopped Nava after reporting that he was driving without headlights and alleged he gave false identification. Officers handcuffed Nava and forced him into a caged compartment in a K9 patrol vehicle. Federal prosecutors later alleged officers deployed a Taser repeatedly during the effort to confine him. Nava was then transported to jail. Police records and federal filings described Nava becoming unresponsive during custody, after which he stopped breathing and died. The City of Jal later settled a wrongful death and excessive force claim brought by Nava’s estate. In 2024, federal charges were filed against Jal officers related to the incident, and in 2025, federal reporting described convictions tied to Nava’s death.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.hobbsnews.com/jal-settles-5m-excessive-force-claim/
https://www.hobbsnews.com/jal-police-officers-charged-on-federal-rights-violations/
https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article301337799.html
https://www.newsbreak.com/tysonomo-multimedia-1824492/3835981202046-former-police-officers-convicted-in-civil-rights-case-leading-to-death
https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article301337799.html
