A man has pleaded guilty to murdering New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The family of a New Mexico State Police officer is one step closer to justice after a fugitive shot, kidnapped and killed their loved one.

Jeremy Smith will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to stealing a gun and car, shooting New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hairy and kidnapping the injured officer before leaving him on the side of the road while he was still alive.

“Jaremy Smith will never breathe a free man again, and rightfully so. Cold-blooded killers like him have no place in our society,” said NMSP Chairman Troy Weisler.

On Friday, Jeremy Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to five felony charges:

• Count 1: Carjacking resulting in death
• Count Two: Use and Carrying of a Firearm During and in Connection with a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Such Crime; Discharging the specified firearm; and causing death by use and possession of a firearm
• Count 3: Kidnapping resulting in death
• Point Four: A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm
• Count Five: Possession of a Stolen Firearm

“While I can’t bring Justin back today, I hope this gives his family and his friends some peace of mind as they continue to recover,” Wisler said.

On March 15, 2024, Smith was already on the run from the police after stealing a car and a 9mm handgun. South Carolina police later implicated him in the murder of paramedic Fonezia Machado-Fore, but he has not yet been charged.

Smith was driving his white BMW I-40 near Tucumcari when a tire blew out. That’s when Officer Justin Hare came to the rescue and even offered Smith a ride into town to fix the tire.

In a signed plea agreement, Smith admits to shooting Hare once, then driving around Hare’s car and shooting him twice more. Smith then got into Haire’s police cruiser, with the officer still alive in the car. He drove for about five minutes and pulled Zayets out of the car, leaving him on the side of the road.

Smith continued to drive Hare’s car before crashing. He then stole another car and drove to Albuquerque. On March 17, he was found by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office after a tip from the gas station salesman.

On Friday, dozens of New Mexico State Police officers came out to support their fallen brother, Justin Hare, and his family and share their feelings.

“I am pleased that the person confessed to what he did. (It’s been) 10 long months to get to this point, to get to this point, I don’t know where Terry and I would be if it wasn’t for the wonderful New Mexico State Police officers who are constantly checking on us.” Officer Hair’s father, Jim Hare said.

While it’s a step closer to justice, Hair’s parents, Jim and Terri, believe it’s not over yet.

“We have a long way to go to get justice for our son and we will continue to fight for him until the day we die,” said Jim Hare.

“This (is) a small step of the steps we are going to take. No family should have to go through this, especially the family of a lifeguard of any kind,” said Terry Hare.

In the plea agreement, Jeremy Smith waived his right to remain not guilty in the future. He may also have to pay restitution to Hare’s family under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. He will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing hearing will take place in about three months.

As for the South Carolina case, nothing has yet been filed in court as of Friday. But the death penalty could be applied. It was on the table in New Mexico, but Federal authorities in Albuquerque decided not to.

On Friday, US Attorney Alexander Uballez explained that it was not up to his office, but the attorney general.

“There is an internal process that involves looking at a number of things. This is outlined in the justice manual, including consultation with families and victims, analysis of the facts, analysis of the law and a number of other factors as outlined in the justice manual,” Uballez explained.