Helen Nicki Rudnicki, 60, was killed by gun violence on August 22, 2024, in a rural area near Los Ojos, New Mexico, about six miles south of Chama. Known as Nicki, she was born June 4, 1962, in Newark, New Jersey. Authorities are investigating the shooting; no suspects or arrests have been announced and the inquiry appears to be ongoing.

Nicki had a long record of public service and education. She served as a Durango police officer for 10 years, later became a certified motorcycle instructor in the Durango area, and held an education degree from Montclair State University. She met her partner, Brenda Clark, playing softball; they were together 26 years. An obituary appeared in The Durango Herald on October 9, 2024.

If anyone has information about what happened south of Chama on August 22, 2024, please come forward.