GRANTS, N.M. - The Grants City Meeting that took place on January 21, 2026, convened for about four hours. During this meeting, the Grants Police Department 2025 statistics were shared, information regarding the Animal Care Center were discussed, and there were various recognitions from Life Saving Awards to Officer of the Year and Department of the Year.
GPD Statistics
According to Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte, the statistics are as follows: Stats for 2025 Calls for service: 19,723 Traffic stops: 1,093 DWIs: 68 Citations: 675 (553 traffic citations & 122 non-traffic citations) Reports: 1,430 Arrests: 761 Stats for 2024 Calls for service: 12,576 Traffic stops: 991 DWIs: 55 Citations: 755 Reports: 1,376 Arrests: 599 (7,147 increase of calls, 102 increase of traffic stops, 13 increase DWI, 80 citation decrease, 54 report increase, and 162 arrest increase) Animal Care Center Update
“Our director starts January 28th. We’re very excited,” Chief Monte said. “We hired this director and she’s coming from Texas. Madison Martinez, she has 10 years of experience in animal humane and… we’re very excited to bring to bring her on… I need more manpower for the shelter. That’s what I’m struggling with right now. I think we’re in an excellent place right now it’s been about 120 days since we started making changes October 1st.”
Monte continued, “I was thinking about that and I believe we have had four individuals that have been put in that position -not the director’s position- just working at the animal care center and those four individuals are no longer with us. I do struggle in that area. It’s also what I’d like to explain. It’s a tedious and time consuming job when it comes to working at the care center. You have to go in and you have to stay dedicated. Noah [Bell] is so well deserving of that award. He has been with us since day one as well as Miranda Wilson. She was my part-timer, when all this started happening, I asked her if she’d consider coming full time and… she’s dedicated… The staff is amazing but I have to be able to hire staff that is willing to be in there and do the exact same thing that Miranda and Noah are doing right now.”
Chief Monte explained, “Our director will start on Wednesday and I’m in the process of hiring 2 more positions… We are currently at 49 animals. Five of those are cats, so, 44 are dogs. Our transfer out has slowed down. It slows down in the winter time, but we just had one two weeks ago. We ran a campaign where Best Friends was picking up the adoption fee that ended at the beginning part of January.”
Additionally, the Animal Care Center has received funding for the Hvac system, and Monte explained that they are now working with an engineer to get that started and purchased as well or go through the process to purchase it.
Councilor Dolores Vallejos said, “You mentioned that you need more manpower. Is that including volunteers and paid positions?”
“So, right now we currently hold, I believe, four full-time positions and a part-time position. So, with Miranda, Noah, and the new director and then the parttime position, I’m still one full position available… It doesn’t count the volunteers. We have an amazing volunteer group… We have the mayor who goes almost every day to assist in working in the back.”
Valor & Life SavingAwards
“Tonight we gather to recognize acts of extraordinary courage and selfless service,” Chief Monte said. “Actions that exemplify the very highest principles of law enforcement profession. Their awards presented this evening are among the most significant honors our department can bestow, as they recognize conduct that goes well beyond the normal expectations of duty. Both awards reflect the core values of this department, which are service, courage, and an unwavering dedication to the safety and well being of our community. They also serve as a reminder that behind the badge are individuals who are willing to act with decisiveness, selfless dedication, and without hesitation when others are in need. Tonight, we honor officers whose actions exemplify these values at the highest level. Their conduct stands as a powerful example to their peers, to this department, and the community that we serve.”
Those who were awarded the medal of valor were Lieutenant Joseph Galindo, officer Sammi Sarricino, Lieutenant Lyle Sarricino, officer Carmillia Speck, and Sergeant Steven Shutiva. Chief Monte continued, “The medal of valor is awarded for acts of exceptionally, bravery, and extraordinary valor performed in the line of duty. This medal is reserved for those rare circumstances in which an officer knowingly and deliberately places themselves in extreme and immediate danger. Often at a great personal risk. While taking decisive action to protect others or to confront a threat. These actions typically involve a high probability of serious injury or death, and requires courage, determination, self sacrifice, far exceeding what is normally expected, even in the dangerous profession of law enforcement.”
The life-saving award was given to officer Carmillia Speck, officer Leanda Abeita, officer Ty Robinson, Sergeant Anthony Kemp, Sergeant Steven Shutiva, and Sergeant Ryan Thatcher. “The life-saving medal, while distinct in its standards is no less meaningful. This medal is awarded to officers who take direct actions that result in the preservation of human life. These actions may occur during medical, emergency medical incidents, rescues, or critical events where an officer’s prompt response, sound judgement, and personal initiative directly prevents loss of life. While the level of personal danger may vary, the defining requirement is that the officer’s actions were instrumental in saving a life and went beyond routine and expected duties.”
Fire & Rescue
Recently, 11 personnel from Grants Fire and Rescue passed in training vehicle extrication, with it now being a total of 22 firefighter personnel with that training. Fire Chief Mike Maes said, “That’s [a] huge accomplishment for the City of Grants and the Fire Department.”
There are three personnel taking classes at UNM. Two are attending for their EMT basic, while another is going for the next level: AEMT.
Additionally, Maes explained that starting in February, all personnel will be taking S130, 190 and L180 classes for woodland firefighting.
Chief Maes recognized Jessica Venable, Lieutenant Valencia, and Firefighter EMT basic Benito Otero. “In the fire service alone, whether you’re a chief, whether you’re a firefighter, whether you’re administrative assistant, the ten-year mark really makes you start thinking, is this the job I want to do? I went through it,” he told Jessica Venable. “To have three individuals who have dedicated their time, their career to Grants Fire and the City of Grants is amazing… So Jessica, ten years of outstanding service. More than administrative assistant, a mentor, a steady hand, a second mom to our firefighters. Your heart for this department and its people goes far beyond your job title. This department is stronger because of you. Now, something that most don’t know, is that for the past six years, I believe, that Jessica has always also been doing double duty where she’s administrative assistant to public works with Jorge Mendes… From Jorge, Public Works, and myself thank you very much.”
Talking about Lieutenant Valencia, he said, “I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. Something that really hit me when I started doing some research with Lieutenant Valencia… he’s different and he’s fun and he challenges me… More than time served, a standard set. He’s setting that example… I’m very proud. Very proud of you, Lieutenant Valencia. Ten years ago, this firefighter started their journey with this department. Since then, we’ve watched them grow. (This was supposed to be for Benito [Otero] too)… The crew can really can rely on [them], calls, in training, and in everyday work. Ten years isn’t about showing up. It’s about how you show up. This department is better because of it.”
Furthermore, as voted by their peers, the Firefighter of the year is Aiden Knighton, EMT of the year is EMT paramedic Antonio Garduno, Rookie of the year is Michael Marcus, and firefighter EMTB Officer of the year is Chief Mike Maes.
City of Grants Recognitions City Manager Andrew Valencia explained, “On behalf of [being] city manager, three years ago, I started some awards that I felt [were] necessary: employee of the year [and] department of the year… It’s truly an honor to recognize and dedicate these awards for teamwork and to keep our city moving forward. The employee of the year celebrates an individual who consistently goes above and beyond and service for our community. We also recognize the department of the year, a team whose collaboration, professionalism, and results set a strong example across the organization. In addition, a special recognition award honors an individual or a team who’s extraordinary effort and commitment made a meaningful difference for the year.”
There were two employees of the year, as they were voted on by their supervisors, and these two were tied. Working for the Animal Shelter, the employee of the year is Noah Bell, and working for multiple departments is Jessica Venable.
The Department of the year was the IT Department.
Valencia continued, “We also have a special recognition for Denise Hanson. She was voted on by her peers. She works with them on a consistent basis but obviously she’s not an employee so she’s contracted by the city but in recognition of what she does we also awarded her.”