Victoriano "Victor" Hernandez

Victoriano Maldonado Hernandez (Victor) passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord, surrounded by his loving family on September 28, 2024. 

Victor was born in San Ignacio, Mexico, to Victoriano and Liduvina Maldonado Hernandez on August 14, 1939. 

Victor grew up working the fields of West Texas and Southern New Mexico, alongside his family, harvesting cottonfields and chile crops along the way.

In 1950, his parents moved their then family of 10 to the Mesilla Valley, looking for a better life. At the age of 15, Victor received his American Citizenship, along with his brothers, which he said was one of the proudest moments of his early years. 

Victor graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1959, where he was known as a “math whiz” who always had all the answers. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably as a medic in the Airborne Division. He was flying into combat when the treaty to end the Cuban Missile Crisis was signed in 1962, turning his plane around and bringing him safely home. 

Following his enlistment in the Army he returned to Las Cruces to begin his highly treasured career as a police officer with LC PD which lasted over 23 years. It was during this time that he furthered his American Dream; He met and courted the love of his life, Priscilla Marquez, began raising his family, and became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Bachelor of Police Science from NMSU in 1974. Later that year he was accepted into UNM Law School but opted to stay in Las Cruces, to raise his children around family. 

He gained many lifelong friends through his career as a Police Officer, rising rapidly through the ranks from Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant in just 4 years. He received the distinction of being named “Officer of the Year” twice in his career; first as a rookie in 1966 and again in 1981.

Upon his retirement from the Police Department, he found a new career as Operations Manager of Mesilla Valley Mall. It was there where he found enjoyment with the people he worked and was able to connect with another side of the Las Cruces community. He enjoyed walking the mall, getting to know the merchants, the shoppers and the mall walkers. He could sometimes be found playing video games at the arcade or searching for prize Beanie Babies and sports collectables. He also found joy in looking for the just the perfect card for his wife to help mark special occasions. 

Victor found time to volunteer in the community; from coaching Little League, Youth and Adult Fast Pitch Softball, to managing the BMX Track for the Police Athletic League. He could also be found on the campus of NMSU substituting and guest lecturing for many criminal justice courses.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Raul, Jose, Manuel, and Juan; sisters Olga and Emma; bothers-in-law Lucio and Alton; sisters-in-law Mary and Kay and nephews Bobby and Jeremy Hernandez, and Steven Peoples.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Priscilla; sons Victor Joseph (Nancy), Patrick (Camille) and Frank; daughter Elizabeth (Jeremy); grandchildren Gage, Mia, and Marques Gutierrez; Zane, Faith (AJ), Jeremiah, Tyler and Alex Hernandez. His sisters Rose Marie (Mike) Contreras, “Little-Sister” Berta (Roy) Covey; sisters-in-law Linda and Frances Hernandez and many wonderfully loved nieces and nephews.

Tributes of the good man he was and the influences he had on other’s lives continue to bring pride and comfort to his family. Whether you knew him as family, coach, friend, jefe, neighbor or Lieutenant you are invited to share as we gather to Celebrate a Life Well Lived. 

If you feel so inclined, family is asking for people to wear something blue. It is a representation not only of his career in law enforcement, but also the colors of his favorite team, the Cubs – he was so happy to have witnessed 2016! Go, Cubbies!

Visitation for Victor will be held at Getz Funeral Home beginning at 5:00pm on Friday, October 18th followed by a Rosary at 6:00pm. Funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday, October 19th at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Masonic Cemetery where Honors will be bestowed. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Victor’s name to AmericanDiabetes Association or Cancer Warriors Las Cruces.