Andrew Romero, New Mexico inmate 65196, born 1987, incarceration intake in 2016 at age 29, sentenced to life
Murder of an LEO, Tampering
A judge sentenced a New Mexico man who shot and killed a suburban Albuquerque police officer to life in prison without parole after hearing tearful testimony from the widow and colleagues of the fallen officer.
Andrew Romero faced a Sandoval County judge for a sentencing hearing that came after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Rio Rancho Officer Gregg “Nigel” Benner.
Romero was found guilty on seven other counts that included tampering with evidence and shooting from a vehicle. Judge George Eichwald sentenced Romero to an additional 23 years behind bars for those crimes.
“You will die in prison,” Eichwald told Romero before handing down the sentence.
Romero, 29, shot Benner after the officer pulled over a vehicle with questionable license plates, authorities said.
Romero has a lengthy criminal history that includes a manslaughter conviction. The day he shot Benner, he was wanted for failing to participate in a court-ordered drug treatment program.
Romero fled from Benner in a short chase that led to a parking lot, where Romero opened fire, and then fled. Authorities apprehended him the next day after they say he robbed a gas station.