Portales Police Department

10/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PORTALES POLICE DEPARTMENT
Date: October 25, 2026
Subject: Homicide Investigation – 600 Block of South Avenue B
PORTALES, NM — On Saturday, October 24, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers from the Portales Police Department responded to a call regarding a shooting victim in the 600 block of South Avenue B.
Upon arrival, officers located a 46-year-old male, identified as Jesus Ornelas. Officers immediately initiated life-saving measures on the scene. Upon the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), life-saving efforts were continued, and Mr. Ornelas was swiftly transported to Roosevelt General Hospital. Tragically, he later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The 9th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit has been activated to investigate this incident. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and further updates will be released as more information becomes available.
The Portales Police Department is actively seeking the public's assistance. If anyone has any information, surveillance video, or cell phone footage relating to this incident, we ask that you please contact the Portales Police Department Investigations Division immediately.
Contact Information:
Portales Police Department
Investigations Division
575-356-4404
Christopher Williams

10/22/2026

🎃Safe Trick or Treat on the Square🍬

Join the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce for some incredible Halloween fun on Friday, October 30th, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Check out the list of participating businesses and organizations below! Be sure to share this with friends so they can be a part of the fun!

Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for organizing this incredible community event. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Chamber of Commerce directly. Be on the lookout for additional updates from the City of Portales regarding road closures and detours for this event.

10/17/2026

10/16/2026

First Responder Friday: Honoring Those Who Serve Us

This week for First Responder Friday, we have Sergeant Victor Ordonez of the Portales Police Department. Sgt. Ordonez was born and raised in Portales and graduated from ENMU with a B.S. in criminal justice in 2019. He joined the Portales Police Department after graduation, now serving in his seventh year.

When asked what made him want to do this job, he explained that he admired those who dedicated their lives to serving others and wanted a career with purpose. His favorite part of serving Portales is the opportunity to be someone the community trusts and is comfortable approaching for help. He said that in Portales, it is easy to build genuine relationships with the people he serves, which makes his job even more impactful.

His advice to anyone considering a career as a law enforcement officer? Becoming a police officer is more than putting on a badge and a uniform. It is a lifestyle and a commitment a commitment to protecting and serving your community, making ethical decisions, and holding yourself to a higher standard, even and especially when nobody else is watching.

Sgt. Ordonez, thank you for all that you do for the people of Portales!

10/15/2026

ENMU Homecoming Bonfire Notice
Tomorrow evening at 6:00 PM, ENMU will host its Homecoming Bonfire on the east side of Greyhound Arena. The Portales Fire Department will be on the scene to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for students, alumni, and our community.

Please do not be alarmed if you see smoke or fire in the area near Greyhound Arena. Additionally, we kindly ask that you keep our emergency lines clear unless you are experiencing an emergency in Portales. We appreciate your cooperation and support.

10/15/2026

Portales: Please see the post below for information about the Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning!

ENMU Homecoming Parade Route Reminder

As a reminder, the ENMU Homecoming Parade begins at 10:30 AM this Saturday. Please review the parade route (highlighted in yellow), which includes marked start and stop points, as well as designated detours.

Setup begins at 10:00 AM, so we encourage all drivers to proceed with caution near the parade start point (near City Park and the Memorial Building) to ensure everyone's safety.

We appreciate your cooperation and hope everyone has a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Homecoming! Go Hounds!