Three ICE officers from the Denver field office stopped to assist after a serious crash on U.S. Highway 54 in Lincoln County, New Mexico, on August 7.
Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer Pacer Lee, Deportation Officer Kevin Whitley-Sanford, and Deportation Officer David Russell were driving home from a Department of Transportation training in Texas when they came upon a disabled SUV blocking the roadway after a collision with a commercial vehicle.
The officers immediately assessed the scene. They called 911 to report the crash, then moved to help an injured motorist while taking steps to keep other drivers safe. One officer provided first aid. The others directed traffic around the blocked portion of the highway and worked to prevent further accidents until local emergency crews arrived.
Once first responders arrived, the ICE officers remained on scene to support them. Their presence helped maintain order and ensured that medical personnel could focus on treating the injured without additional risk from passing vehicles.
“Officers Lee, Whitley-Sanford and Russell didn’t hesitate when they saw people who needed help,” said ERO Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles. “They stopped, rendered first aid and stayed at the scene to help first responders and protect other drivers. They stepped forward when it mattered, and their actions reflect the character, compassion and commitment to service we expect from those who wear the badge.”
Emergency services later transported the injured victim to a hospital for further treatment. No other details about the condition of those involved or the exact circumstances of the collision were released in the official account.
The incident highlights the reality that federal officers often encounter emergencies while traveling between assignments. In this case, the three men chose to stop and take responsibility for others’ safety on a remote stretch of highway rather than continue past the scene. Their decision to remain until local responders were fully in control of the situation drew formal recognition from ICE leadership.
