Cop wounded in shooting identified as veteran, APD officer of the year

The Albuquerque Police Officers Association has identified the officer who was shot near Central Avenue and Eubank Boulevard Wednesday night.

Officer Daniel Webster was shot several times, including in the face near his chin, while attempting to arrest 34-year-old Davon Lymon, according to information from a federal criminal complaint.

He has worked for the department for nearly nine years.

Webster was named 2013 APD Officer of the Year. He also served as a paratrooper for 20 years in the U.S. Army before retiring, and has served with APD since July 2006.

He was honored in September 2013 for giving CPR to a baby who was not breathing. His actions saved the baby’s life.

The police union said Webster is the Southeast Area Command APOA representative. The union said he recently returned to the field due to the shortage of officers.

Webster’s wife is a Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputy. The couple has children.

Webster remains in critical, but stable, condition at UNM Hospital. He underwent two surgeries overnight and is expected to undergo several more.

The APOA has set up an account for his family at Wells Fargo. Donations can be made to the Officer Dan Webster Fund #8138663789. Gift card donations for the family and well wishes can be dropped off or mailed to the main APD station at 400 Roma NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 – Attn: Chief’s Office, Officer Webster.

There will also be a blood drive held in Officer Webster’s honor Friday at UNM Hospital in the Bill Richardson Pavillion Lobby from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors can call (505)-246-1457 to schedule an appointment.

An official GoFundMe page has also been set up for Officer Webster.

APD Chief Gorden Eden said Webster was brought out of surgery late Thursday morning. He remains in the ICU in critical condition. Eden said doctors were still doing tests on Webster.

Eden also called for changes to the law this upcoming legislative session in Santa, asking for New Mexico to make its guidelines more similar to federal law, in which there are mandatory minimum sentences for violent offenders, firearm enhancements and gang laws.

Authorities arrested Lymon after midnight Thursday. He is currently facing federal charges of violating the federal firearms laws. Other state charges are expected to be filed as well.

Lymon pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and conspiracy charges in 2002 after he was accused in the 2001 murder of 20-year-old Ronald Chanslor Jr., the grandson of the founder of Blake’s Lotaburger.

He was sentenced to 11.5 years with 390 days time served, giving him a little less than 10.5 years in prison.

“After sentencing in 2001, I had a heartsick feeling with the way our justice system is set up, that another family would have to go through this type of senseless tragedy. My heart is breaking for the officer’s family. Our justice system is so broken and unless we all step up and do something, we will continue to see these tragic acts of violence,” Dawn Parsons, the mother of Ronald Blake Chanslor said. “As a community we must all play a role and take the necessary actions to effect meaningful change. It can’t be the responsibility of a handful of people in our government or our police department. This is a concern that impacts us all. I pledge to pray for this family, our officers and our leaders and be available to help solve this problem.”

Watch Chief Eden’s afternoon news conference below. If you’re on a mobile device, click here.

-With Elizabeth Reed. This story originally appeared at KOB.com.