Slaying victim's wife says death left family, friends 'in total shock'

Courtesy photo

Ramon Rollins and Bethenia Wallace were married for 15 years. Rollins died Friday at Plains Regional Medical Center after an early morning altercation at the Clovis Apartments.

The wife of a Clovis man slain last week said her husband was a good man who got caught up in the wrong situation, and that his Friday death is still a shock to friends and family.

Ramon Rollins, 52, died early Friday morning from head injuries suffered in an altercation at the Clovis Apartments. Police said they were called to the apartments where they found Rollins on the ground.

He was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case.

“His death left family and friends in total shock,” said Bethenia Wallace, who was married to Ramon Rollins for 15 years. “Ramon left behind a family that loved him unconditionally ...

“He decided to move to Clovis three years ago from Sacramento (California) to try something new, which led him to start a landscaping and detailing business. His business got off to a good start due to his amazing work, but unfortunately, his life was taken on Friday in a brutal way that shocked the community.”

Wallace said Rollins’ business venture, Ramon’s God, Family, Landscape-Maintenance & Auto Detailing, was started six months ago and had progressed to the point where he had begun to bid on lawn maintenance projects — including one advertised by an Albuquerque-based firm that managed property here.

“At this point in time, our family has forgiven anyone involved in Ramon’s death, because he is in a better place,” she said. “We understand the police investigation is still underway and I want to thank everyone in the community who has helped us raise funds to take him back to Sacramento and give him a decent burial.

“The outpouring of support from those that knew him from his landscaping work has been a blessing. He was really beginning to turn the corner in his life. I thank the community for their prayers and condolences ”

Wallace said Rollins recently gave his life to Christ, began singing in church and freely shared his testimony.

“He’s been in Clovis three years and the only time he went to jail was when I asked him to leave our home after a disagreement,” she said. “I called the police and they took him away. After his release he paid his bail bondsman regularly and was doing well.

“He was not a street person or a thug that some have attempted to portray him to be. He was a good man who got caught up in the wrong situation.”

Clovis police said about the same time Rollins’ body was discovered, another man, 39, was admitted to Plains Regional Medical Center for a head wound. Officials on Wednesday said in a news release that the unidentified man and Rollins were “involved in the incident.”

Wednesday’s news release also said the Major Crimes Unit is attempting to locate a person described as a black male in his 20s with small braids who was possibly with Rollins at the Clovis Apartments at the time of the altercation.