ALBUQUERQUE - Today, Governor Susana Martinez recognized the bravery of New Mexico Correctional Officer Louie Nieto today by awarding him with a Medal of Valor for his selfless actions in the line of duty. Late last year, Nieto risked his life to save a fellow Correctional Officer and an inmate at the Penitentiary of New Mexico. On November 20, 2011, a high custody inmate took a female Correctional Officer hostage while she and Nieto were in a housing unit. Nieto was able to remain calm and distract the inmate, forcing the inmate to release the female officer. Officer Nieto then fought off an attack by the inmate. He fought for his life and took several blows before the Emergency Response Team was able to get into the unit and stop the attack.

“Officer Nieto's heroic actions are a great reminder of the strength, will, and courage that is part of the fabric of our state,” said Governor Martinez. “I am grateful for Officer Nieto's brave deeds and I applaud him for doing all that it took to save lives and diffuse a dangerous situation before it got much worse. The Medal of Valor that he has received today is well-earned.”

Governor Martinez awarded the Medal of Valor to Officer Nieto at the annual New Mexico Gang Task Force Conference. The New Mexico Gang Task force is the state's largest, multi-jurisdictional task force focused on reducing gang activity. The Governor stressed the importance of reducing New Mexico's gang presence by promoting a positive and productive environment for the state's youth and working across law enforcement jurisdictions to suppress violence, drug trafficking, and other gang-related activities. Law enforcement officials from around the state are in attendance.