By Lynn Janes

On Tuesday September 7, the Republican Party of Grant County recognized three of the county’s local law enforcement members to thank them for outstanding service to the community. The party members plan to continue these recognitions every month. Two came from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and one was from the Silver City Police Department.  

Sheriff Frank Gomez received the first recognition for his commitment to the community not only as sheriff but for many other law enforcement capacities through the years. He has had a long-distinguished career with law enforcement in the area and has served as sheriff since January of 2019. A lifelong county resident, Gomez served honorably in the US Army.  He serves “We the People” and believes in the Constitution of America as the law of the land. Peggy Tavizon, Ray Tavizon and Christine Starr presented to him a plaque, NM Blue Line pin, and challenge coin.

The deputy this month is Deputy Robert Carrasco, nominated by Sheriff Gomez. Carrasco started out serving with the NM State Police but chose to come back to his local community. Since joining in 2020 he has become a role model to his fellow deputies for his personality and work ethic. One example of him going above and beyond his duty involved a young single mother who had no one to call, so he got her a room for the night so she could sleep safely and paid for it himself. Peggy Tavizon and Christine Starr presented him with a certificate, challenge coin and NM Blue Line Pin.

The officer nominated from the Silver City Police Department, Captain Melinda Hobbs, started her career at age 25 in 2005 and worked as a patrol officer for seven years. Hobbs then went to the detective division in 2012. In 2015 she took on a homicide cold case from 2009 at Penny Park. She identified, charged the suspect with manslaughter and obtained a confession. In 2018 Hobbs received a promotion to Detective Sergeant. The detective division reduced burglary crimes by half that year and has solved five homicides since. In 2020, she became Captain of Investigations. Peggy Tavizon and Christine Starr presented to Hobbs a certificate, challenge coin and NM Blue Line Pin.