The sound of scores of sirens pierced the morning air as the procession carrying Bloomfield Police officer Timothy Scott Ontiveros pulled into the Bloomfield football stadium and hundreds of residents joined hundreds of first responders and dignitaries to pay tribute to a fallen hero Monday.
Ontiveros was shot the night of Memorial Day during a routine traffic stop. Despite intensive medical intervention, he succumbed to those injuries on June 1. On Monday, family, friends, colleagues and the community gathered to grieve and mourn.
In a celebration of life marked by ceremony, the hearse transporting the casket of Ontiveros, 32, pulled into the stadium, followed by dozens of police vehicles, firetrucks and ambulances. An honor guard of first responders fired their rifles as the casket was brought to the center stage set up on the football field.
The funeral was led by Dr. Michael Napier, former senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Aztec. He began with a Bible reading from Psalms emphasizing God’s presence and comfort. He then read from Romans, Chapter 13, which he explained is very relevant to first responders. The passage highlighted the role of governing authorities and law enforcement and the importance of submitting to authority.
He led a prayer, asking for comfort for Ontiveros’ family and friends, which were legion. “He was loved and admired by many, and his impact on those around him will never be forgotten,” he said in tribute.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham presented the state flag that had been flown at half-staff over the state Capitol in Santa Fe to Ontiveros’ mother.
People were then led in singing “Amazing Grace” by Les Cumiford.
Napier eulogized Ontiveros, who was born in Texas and leaves behind his mother, Pamela Sanchez, and father, Mark Ontiveros, children AvyAnna, Drake, Jonathan and GraceLynn, as well as siblings, step-siblings, aunts, nephews and more.
“When Tim arrived in Aztec, he began working for Big O Tires in Aztec. He made lifelong friends and loved what he did, but he always had an interest in being a first responder. Tim served as a volunteer firefighter for the Aztec Fire Department in 2018. He then started his career in law enforcement with the Farmington Police Department.”
Ontiveros joined the Bloomfield Police Department in December 2024.
“Timothy was a dedicated police officer committed to serving and protecting his community. Tim had a huge smile,” Napier said. He asked for a show of hands from those who “ever saw Tim’s big old smile,” and hands shot up throughout the crowd.
Beyond his professional life, Ontiveros cherished his family and friends and had many hobbies, including shooting pool, singing karaoke, dancing and riding his motorcycles.
Bloomfield Chief of Police Phillip Francisco also paid tribute to Ontiveros and expressed gratitude for the support received from other departments and the community since the death. “It’s been a very difficult week for us all,” he said. “I cannot fully express my gratitude.”
Francisco then went on to explain the significance of the Thin Blue Line flag and its representation of law enforcement.
“It symbolizes police as the thin line between law and order and chaos in society. The blue stands for the uniforms many police departments wear. It’s a simple concept for a complicated task,” he said.
“Compassion, empathy, deescalation, mediation, counseling and social work are things that officers do much more often than anything else. Tim embodied this idea of holding a thin blue line in this way.”
Napier shared several stories from the public which highlighted his professionalism, compassion, and impact on the community and his colleagues.
“We have pulled together like a family. Some days are harder than others, but Tim wanted us to carry on and continue to hold that thin line. We can opt to do it the way he did with respect and empathy,” he said. “Officer Ontiveros, we will miss you. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. It will not be forgotten. Rest easy. We will have the watch from here.”
After Cumiford sang “I Can Only Imagine,” Napier spoke about the importance of faith in law enforcement and the impact of Timothy’s personal faith and relationship with Jesus. He encouraged all assembled to have faith in Jesus and to approach Him for guidance and comfort. He then led a final prayer, asking for comfort and strength for Timothy’s family and friends.
This last prayer was followed by several ceremonies, which included the final call from dispatch announcing the end of watch for Badge 302.
There was a ringing of the fire bell, followed by a rifle salute, or three volleys. The N.M. Fire and Police Pipes and Drums, joined by the Santa Fe Firefighter Pipes and Drums and Albuquerque Police, played as the casket was carried back to the hearse by pallbearers Sgt. Michael Wells, Sgt. T.J. Brown, Sgt. Christian Waltermire, officer Dylan Weaver, officer Justin Lynch, officer A.J. Peterson, officer Chase McDonald and Detective David Gonzales, with honorary pallbearer Kieren Sanchez.
A procession was led back to Farmington Funeral Home for a viewing for first responders from 1 to 3 p.m. and public viewing from 3 to 5 p.m.
