Lieutenant Richard Allen Cowles, 51, Deming resident passed away Saturday October 22, 2016. A son, brother, father, uncle and friend to many.

Richard was born January 14, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Jeanette Wohlgemuth and Leonard Cowles.

Richard was a Deming resident since May 1977, having coming from Cleveland.

Richard graduated from Deming High School as a scholar and athlete.

He was an avid softball player, bowler and outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and, especially, time spent with his daughter, Arianna.

He attended the River of Life Citi-Church.

Richard joined the law enforcement profession in 1998. In his 18 years, he rose through the ranks from a deputy, then sergeant and, finally, to Lieutenant at the Luna County Sheriff's Department. He also served as jail administrator and dispatch director. During his time with the Sheriff's department he was a part of the SWAT/Sniper team.

Richard was the driving force behind the Shop with a Cop Program, carrying on in the footsteps of his mother, Jenny, after she started the program over 25 years ago.

Lieutenant Cowles took the time to know the community in which he took tremendous pride.

Survivors include: his daughter, Arianna Cowles-Reyes of Deming; mother, Jenny and father, Len Cowles of Deming; and his two brothers, Lenny Cowles and his wife Nanci of Phoenix, Arizona and Curt Cowles (Shannon Emblin) of Scottsdale, Arizona; nephews, Ryan Cowles, Orlando Salaiz, Aaron Salaiz; nieces, Hailee and Kennedi Cowles. Richard considered his closest friends his brothers and sisters.

The Memorial service will be held Friday morning October 28, 2016 at 10 o'clock at Luna County Courthouse Park, 700 S. Silver Ave. with Pastor Cesar Chavez of the River of Life Citi-Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in his honor to Luna County Shop with a Cop by contacting the Luna County Sheriff's Department.