State police said officer Darian Jarrott was killed on Interstate 10 near the town of Akela in Luna County, about 110 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas.
Jarrott, 28, started a traffic stop of a white pickup truck while “assisting Homeland Security Investigations,” NMSP chief Robert Thornton said in a press conference late Thursday.
The truck driver, identified by police as Omar Felix Cueva, 39, shot and killed Jarrott before driving east on the highway to Las Cruces.
Law enforcement from multiple departments gave chase, Thornton said, including agents from NMSP, US Border Patrol, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and Las Cruces Police Department.
When Cueva drove into Las Cruces, police placed nail strips to damage the truck’s tires. According to Thornton, a Las Cruces officer also performed a Pursuit Intervention Technique to force the truck sideways.
Video captured shootout
Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo confirmed the authenticity of amateur video posted online by Austin Contreras, who worked on a construction site about 40 miles from the Jarrott shooting.
The video showed a Las Cruces police cruiser pushing the truck off the road. After the truck comes to a stop, Cueva is seen getting out of the vehicle and aiming a firearm at the police amid gunfire noises. An officer is crouched behind the police vehicle closest to the truck.
The gunfire continues until the police approach the truck as Cueva appears motionless next to the vehicle.
State police confirmed that Cueva was shot at least once and died on the spot.
A Las Cruces officer was injured in the shooting, but police said the officer was treated and released at a regional hospital.
Jarrott began his career as a transportation inspector in the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. He was sworn in as an NMSP officer in July 2015.
Jarrott is survived by three young children, and a fourth is expected this year, according to NMSP chief Thornton.
“We are here to honor Officer Darian Jarrett, for his sacrifice and what he has done for this community and done for this state,” said Thornton, sharing that one of Jarrott’s captains described the officer as “the nicest man he ever has.” always had a smile on his face. ”
CNN’s Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report.