BY DONOVAN QUINTERO
NAVAJO TIMES
WINDOW ROCK — When Police Officer James Hale heard about the shooting late Saturday night, he was patrolling the streets of Shiprock, N.M.
When he found out it was his friend and fellow officer Houston J. Largo, who was shot while responding to a domestic violence call in Casamero Lake, he immediately thought, ‘he’s gonna make it. He’s a tough guy.’
After Hale’s shift ended Sunday morning, the 19-year-veteran and fellow Navajo police officer Dean Goldtooth wasted no time racing down New Mexico 371, to assist in the search for the shooting suspect who was still on the run.
On the drive down, Hale said he and Goldtooth were in total disbelief – an officer was shot in the line of duty.
“We were hoping for the best. We didn’t know what condition he was in until we got to Crownpoint,” Hale said. “One of the Sergeants from Crownpoint told us he was in critical condition, that he was hit in the head. That’s when my heart sank.”
All Hale could do now was be there for his friend through prayer, like how Largo had been there for him when he was shot and wounded in 2015.
It was March 19, 2015 when Hale, Largo, Navajo Nation Police Officer