Death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff under investigation

State Police: Rio Arriba sheriff was in 'minor crash' hours before death

Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield had been in a crash in his patrol vehicle hours before he was found unresponsive inside the vehicle at his home Sunday morning.

Death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff under investigation

RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State Police are continuing to investigate the death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield. According to NMSP's investigation, at around 3 a.m. on April 20, Merrifield's friend received a call from a woman who explained that she and Merrifield were involved in a minor crash in his patrol vehicle; Merrifield was off-duty at the time. Portales police investigate shooting that injured juvenil…

Rio Arriba County Sheriff death remains under investigation

Investigators say the sheriff was involved in a minor crash in the early morning hours of April 20.

Rio Arriba sheriff was found dead in police vehicle following crash, state police say

State police said Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield had been involved in a crash in his police vehicle early Sunday.

Sheriff Billy Merrifield Dies Unexpectedly

By Wheeler Cowperthwaite

NMSP Investigating Death Of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield

NMSP NEWS RELEASE On April 20, 2025, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate the off-duty death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield at 4759A NM Highway 96 in Abiquiu, NM. Investigations Bureau agents learned through interviews that on April 20, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., a friend of Sheriff Merrifield received a phone call from a woman who stated she was with Sheriff Merrifield, and they we…