Justice for Elijah Hadley Supporters Speak at County Commissioners Meeting Demand Resignation of Sheriff Black and Deputy

Pressure mounts on the Otero County Sheriff's Department and elected offiicials of the County Commission and the District Attorney's offices as the number of people increases asking questions and demanding answers in the Otero County Sheriff's Department Shooting of Elijah Hadley. 

As previously reported by AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org family, friends, and individuals from the Mescalero Apache Tribe and beyond are organizing, staging protests, speaking and rallying in order to gain answers to the death of Elijah Hadley via a shooting of 19 shots that resulted in the death of a 17 year old tribal youth. 

On Thursday, July 8th, 2024 Otero County Commission met in regular session and as per the agenda Otero County Sheriff Black was expected to give his monthly update to the commission but was a no show to the monthly meeting. As per the agenda Sheriff Black was scheduled to speak to provide a detailed department report and failed to appear. In addition to the expectation of him to speak with a department update his department was on the agenda concerning a agenda item requesting approval of a grant agreement between the Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District and Otero County in the amount of $160,000 for programmatic operational costs and resources for the Otero County Sheriff's office for emergency services.

During the public comments phase several individuals spoke regarding the memory and loss of Elijah Hadley and asked the commissioners to act and use their authority in oversight and budget control to gather answers for the public. 

County Attorney RB Nichols spoke of the incident and said that the local district attorney's office had turned the case over to an independent DA's office in Albuquerque to review and investigate to ensure there was "no perception of local bias and that the incident is under review" by that authoritative agency at this time.

Justice for Elijah Hadley proponents at Commission Meeting Photo courtesy of Justice for Elijah Hadley Denise Lang Browne

Several individuals spoke during public comments after the county attorney spoke of the investigation. Sarah Drinkwater offered a prayer and then proceeded to question how the deputy approached Elijah Hadley suggesting that if the approach had begun with a question, "hey are you alright?" the outcome may hsve been far different.  She then scolded Sheriff Black as the department leader for not mentioning the incident in last months report and his failure to attend and address the issue this month before the commission nor to face those concerned. She spoke of empathy, passion and accountability suggesting "that is what the community needs most right now."

Sarah Drinkwater provides prayer and empathy in asking for justice for Elijah Hadley AlamogordoTownNews.org

Others present included Lulac Vice President Jerry Martinez who spoke to KALHRadio.org afterwards and his interview may be heard per the link below...

https://youtu.be/YOODhE5GMe0?si=BJKkatysr_leleAG

Evan Lambert of Community Power spoke and called for constructive action to include fir a call for the resignation and removal of Sheriff Black, the prosecution of the deputy and the appointment of a public oversight board to review the case to include training, officers history and transparency into the department and the incident.

Others spoke and serveral sat in the audience with signs demanding justice for Elijah Hadley. 

Organizers are planning a rally again this Saturday at the Sheriff's office. LULAC has been in contact with the ACLU which is sending a representative to Otero County to gather information. 

Individuals are calling on the State Attorney Generals office to investigate and for the county leadership to step up with information and action. 

This is an ongoing story and further information will be provided as events unfold. 

Photo courtesy of Denise Lange Browne Justice for Elijah Hadley

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