Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
CLOVIS — The Clovis police officer who discharged a weapon during a July 6 standoff has not been identified by either the department or the New Mexico State Police, but he was returned to full duty four days after the standoff.
The weapon was discharged, officials said, in response to Damon Smith, 42, brandishing a weapon during the two-hour standoff that began around 5 p.m. July 6. Police were called to a report of a domestic disturbance with shots fired on the 2700 block of Wallace Street.
Smith remains in the Curry County Adult Detention Center. He faces charges of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault upon a household member with a deadly weapon, contempt of court and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.
Capt. Roman Romero of the CPD confirmed on Monday the officer was back to full duty on July 10, and spent the three days following the incident on administrative duty. The officer was at home on Sunday, but subject to recall to assist investigators if necessary. His regular days off fell on July 8 and 9, but he was required to be available for recall if necessary.
Officer Dusty Francisco of the New Mexico State Police said the identity of the officer would not be released until all interviews were concluded, and he did not respond to a Monday request for information on the case.
According to information from the CPD and the NMSP:
n Five officers were initially on scene, with Smith and a 39-year-old female inside the residence. The initial call to dispatch came from an anonymous caller who reported the two arguing and heard a gunshot.
n Smith brandished a rifle toward one of the officers, and the officer discharged his department-issued weapon. Francisco confirmed Smith brandished a long rifle, but did not give a specific model and noted numerous long rifles were taken into evidence.
n Following the officer’s shot, police fell back until SWAT arrived. Once the SWAT team was activated, it brought the officer count to 21 on scene.
n A team negotiated with Smith, and eventually used a Taser to take him into custody. He was treated on scene by emergency personnel, then taken to the detention center.