Chet Spear questions why I left the Curry County Sheriff’s Department for a short time after witnessing three children killed by a drunken driver in 1992. I want to offer my explanation: On that horrific night, I helped collect the bodies of three innocent children, two of whom were the age of my children. What I witnessed momentarily traumatized me. I knew by the grace of God that could have been my children killed. Yes, I left law enforcement for a short time because I wanted to spend more time with my wife and children. However, I soon realized law enforcement was a career I cherished and I could better protect my family and the families of this community by using my experience to keep drunken drivers off of our streets. Accordingly, I returned to law enforcement. Since then I have served as chief deputy sheriff and Curry County sheriff. Subsequently, I was appointed by Gov. Gary Johnson as chief of the state’s Motor Transportation Division. There I supervised 250 law-enforcement officers and support staff and administered a $15 million budget. During my 21 years of law enforcement, neither my integrity nor my passion for protecting citizens has ever been questioned. This is evident by the fact that I am endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, former Clovis chiefs of police Caleb Chandler and Raymond Mondragon, and current Police Chief Bill Carey. It is further evidenced by police and sheriffs statewide when I was recently elected to serve as president of the New Mexico Police and Sheriff’s Association. The horrible scene I witnessed in 1992 has made me a better officer because it remains engraved in my mind and in my heart. Every day serves as a reminder to how important it is to be totally dedicated to my duties. Matt Murray Clovis Reader’s attack on sheriff candidate unnecessary Do you really want Matt Murray as sheriff? I am in law enforcement and I have been for 17 years. I work with Matt Murray in law enforcement. This letter is in response to Chet Spear’s letter on Wednesday, which condemned Murray for an incident in 1992 when Murray worked a case involving three children killed by a drunken driver fleeing police. Murray told a jury he drove down Prince Street and saw wreckage and bodies strewn over the highway. Spear, who is supporting another’s sheriff candidate, has taken a personal shot at Murray for having compassion and emotions. If Spear is going to write a letter to the editor, he should focus on his candidate’s good qualities; he should not take cheap shots at the others. Voters in the sheriff’s race should take a careful look at who law enforcement supports. Why did the Fraternal Order of Police endorse Matt Murray? Why does Clovis’ chief of police have a Matt Murray-for-sheriff sign in his yard? Why are Clovis patrol officers, New Mexico State Police officers, detectives in the Clovis Police Department, investigators in the District Attorney’s office and the commander of the Major Crime Unit endorsing Matt Murray? See the Web site: www.murray4sheriff.com The answer is because unity, professionalism and integrity matters in law enforcement and Matt Murray will bring that to the Curry County Sheriff’s Department. Do I believe Matt Murray will put his life on the line for you or me? Yes. Most importantly, I as a law enforcement officer am willing to put my life on the line for Matt Murray. He is a leader and a dedicated officer and, yes, I want Matt Murray as sheriff. Dan Aguilar Clovis