Enrique Kiki Vigil

Sheriff Elect-Doa Ana County

P.O. Box 2567
Mesilla Park, NM 80047

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Enrique Kiki Vigil, Sheriff-Elect (575) 312-1068
Sheriff-elect Enrique Kiki Vigil Selects Edward Lerma as Second in Command to help run
the Doa Ana County Sheriffs Department
Las Cruces, NM- Enrique Kiki Vigil selects Mr. Edward Lerma to be his Under-sheriff and
be the second in command in running the Doa Ana County Sheriffs Department. Sheriff Elect,
Enrique Kiki Vigil appointed a transition team that composed of a broad range of law
enforcement experience, which includes: the District Attorney, a retired federal prosecutor, a
retired high level federal training director and mental health advocate, a retired corrections
administrator, a former under-sheriff, a retired state police officer, and two (2) members
consisting of the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Association and Court Security and Transport
Unions. This multi-disciplinary law enforcement transition team interviewed Mr. Edward Lerma
with the Sheriff Elect and the decision was unanimous in the selection of Mr. Lerma to be the
next Under-Sheriff.
Enrique Kiki Vigil did not run with an under-sheriff during the campaign. Vigil believes that
he is solely responsible for the Sheriffs Department and the under-sheriff is not elected or
ultimately responsible. During the campaign Vigil ran on his own merits. He desired to conduct
interviews even though he was cognizant of the fact that the law allows him to appoint without
any formal selection needed. This is an at-will position that serves at the pleasure of the Sheriff.
Vigil desired that his selection not only be one with strong moral character, but an individual that

also is familiar with the existing operations and history of the Department that will prove a most
effective transition. The Sheriff-Elect appointed retired and active duty law enforcement
professionals on his transition team to assist him in interviewing and recommending the selection
of his second in command.
Mr. Lerma brings over forty (40) years of impressive experience in law enforcement. He has a
distinguished career with a vast combination of experience in several facets and areas critical to
the needs in the administration of justice. He has served under (3) three different administrations
as the under-sheriff of the Doa County Sheriffs Department. He served as Chief of Police for
the communities of Tularosa and Ruidoso Downs, NM. He was also a former Magistrate Judge
in Dona Ana County. Mr. Lerma not only brings experience of tradition within the Sheriffs
Department, but has demonstrated integrity throughout his career and possesses those
capabilities necessary to help us restore leadership and respect back to an organization with great
promise, stated Sheriff-elect Enrique Kiki Vigil.