A fallen officer; a state, family in mourning
State Police Officer Justin Hare stopped to help a stranded driver. Helping is part of a state police officer’s job, yet it can be the most dangerous. And so it proved for the 35-year-old, who was shot and killed last Friday morning responding to a call on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari.
To his friends, family and members of his community, Hare was a stand-up guy. Stopping for stranded motorists was something he did regularly, always thinking of how to save them from having to call an expensive tow truck or repair service. That’s who he was, unafraid to get down on the ground to help a stranded driver change the tire. He had two daughters, a girlfriend, parents, a brother and many friends. A third baby is on the way.
In Logan, Hare was considered a valuable member of the community, someone who coached soccer, made sure fruit that fell off overturned semi-trucks made it to schoolkids and a guy who loved to fish and hunt. Now he is gone.
His family is left to remember a man whose last words were an offer to help, an offer that was answered with gunfire. The suspect in Hare’s shooting was arrested Sunday, chased down in Albuquerque by police and sheriff ’s deputies. He also is a suspect in the slaying of Phonesia MachadoFore, a South Carolina paramedic reported missing Thursday.
There are no words at a time like this, but there must be comfort and condolences to all who loved Justin Hare. His sacrifice will be remembered and supported.
About Hare, his longtime girlfriend had this to say in a social media post shared by the Logan Police Department: “Justin was an amazing son, father, spouse, brother, friend, and police officer. The role he played in the lives of his family and those close to him will never be forgotten. The fact that he put his heart into every single thing that he did was the epitome of who Justin was. It’s so hard to put his life and who he was into paragraphs because he was indescribable.”
Hare grew up in Moriarty and Logan, living next-door to his preschool teacher — she now taught his girls. He wanted a smalltown life with his family, where neighbors grew close and people smile at each other on the streets. That community is supporting the Hare family now, with donations, cards of condolence, memories shared on social media and so much more. “Reading posts on social media about him, and how he impacted their lives has brought a smile to my face. Knowing that these are memories that they’ll eventually share at some point with our girls about who their dad was, warms my heart. I can’t thank everyone enough for sharing them. Being reminded that he has not or will not be forgotten has been a huge comfort,” she wrote in her post shared on Facebook.
His brutal slaying is another reminder of the danger police officers face each moment of every day they are on the job. It is a heavy burden.
A public vigil for Officer Hare is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Tucumcari State Police Office, with funeral services set for 11 a.m. March 27 at the Legacy Church Central Campus in Albuquerque. The funeral is open to the public. His family will need support in the days ahead, and a GoFundMe account has been set up to assist them. Knowing his family is safe and cared for surely will be some comfort to all who love them.
As his girlfriend wrote in her message: “May God bless all of you across New Mexico [and] the world who have prayed for us upon hearing the story of what happened to Justin. Even though that’s how his life was taken, that’s not how we will continue his legacy. Justin was so much more than that.” She ended, “Rest easy. I’ve got it from here.” Rest in peace, Justin Hare.