Obituaries

Robert “Larry” Leffler Jr., 66, Rio Rancho, March 5 Thelma Hagman, 84, March 19

Robert "Larry" Leffler Jr., 66, passed away peacefully on March 05, 2018, at his home in Rio Rancho, NM. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado on June 3, 1951 to Robert and Anna Leffler.

Larry was a police officer who began his career serving on departments in the towns of Center, CO and Antonito, CO. He then relocated with his family to Questa, NM to join the Questa PD. After graduating from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in 1982 he continued to serve as an officer in Questa ultimately promoting to the rank of Chief of Police. In 1985 Larry and his family relocated and settled in Santa Fe, NM where he proudly served as a member of the Santa Fe Police Department. He had many roles during his time with the SFPD but he was most proud of his work as a detective within the department’s gang unit. He served as a board member on the New Mexico Gang Task Force and worked with other states and organizations as a gang consultant. Larry retired from the SFPD in 2003 but returned to law enforcement as a member of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, where he was a deputy until 2009.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his Colorado teams, especially his beloved Denver Broncos. Larry bled Orange and Blue.

In 2008, Larry relocated one last time to Rio Rancho, NM, where he could be close to his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The only thing he loved doing more than cheering for the Broncos was spending time with his grandkids.

Larry was preceded in death by parents Robert L. Leffler Sr. and Anna L. Leffler of Pueblo, CO, his sister Carolynne Degraffenreid, and brother-in-law Bobby Joe Degraffenreid of Glendora, CA. He is survived by his children Randy (Anne) Vallejos, Janine (Ralph) Rodriguez, grandchildren Niquela, Quentin, and Samuel Vallejos, his sisters Cheryl Leffler, Gloria (Jim) Rickwalt, and Pamela (Steve) Leffler and many additional nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services to honor the life of Larry will be held on Monday March 26, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Sagebrush Community Church, 3405 Vereda Baja, Santa Fe, NM. A reception will follow at the Fraternal Order of Police, 3300 Calle Maria Luisa, Santa Fe, NM.