The Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department operates the region’s only museum dedicated solely to law enforcement. The museum is located adjacent to the lobby of the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department at 845 N. Motel Blvd., in Las Cruces.

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Deputy Jim Beasley curates the museum, with support from the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Special Deputies Commission.

Items of interest on display include Pat Garrett’s desk and artifacts, photographs of most former Doña Ana County sheriffs, law enforcement badges and patches, a memorial to fallen officers, a gun collection, and various law enforcement and historical memorabilia.

An outdoor area adjacent to the museum features some vintage law-enforcement transportation artifacts.

For information or to arrange a tour of the museum, call (575) 525-8847.

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Doña Ana County, which covers 3,806 square miles, had the state's second-largest Sheriff's Department in 1971, employing 12 full-time deputies. Presently, the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department, still the state's second-largest department, serves a population of 180,000 residents with a force of 155 certified deputies and 30 reserve deputies.

From Interstate 10 East:

• Take exit #139 / Motel Blvd.
• Turn Left on Motel Blvd [NM-292] and head North for 1.0 mi
• Turn Left into the Doña Ana County Government Center parking lot

From Interstate 10 West:

• Take exit #139 / Motel Blvd. and stay Right
• Stay on Motel Blvd. [NM-292] and head North for 0.8 mi
• Turn Left into the Doña Ana County Government Center parking lot