Officers tied to Chavez could be fired

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Officials with the Albuquerque Police Department are wrapping up an internal affairs investigation surrounding the events that led up to the death of Tera Chavez, allegedly murdered by her husband, Levi, a former APD officer.

Tera allegedly told friends that her husband and his police buddies were stealing drugs on the job and selling them. Investigators believe Levi Chavez may have killed his wife to keep her quiet.

Four APD officers, including Chavez, were identified as targets in the investigation surrounding those events that led up the Tera’s death in 2007 as well as the events that occurred immediately after her death.

The officers are accused of compromising evidence at the scene of her death, inside her bedroom at the Los Lunas home she shared with Chavez.

Of the three remaining officers, one has been cleared, another recommended for suspension and another was recommended for firing. Chavez was fired this past April after he was indicted by a Valencia County grand jury.

Police are remaining tight-lipped on the actual details of the investigation’s findings, which they say only deal with accusations of misconduct, not criminal allegations.

Earlier this year the City of Albuquerque paid $230,000 to the family of Tera Chavez who sued APD, claiming the negligent in its hiring, training and supervision of officers.

Officials say this investigation has nothing to do with Levi’s stolen truck, recently found in Mexico with the original key in it. Chavez claimed the truck was stolen four years ago and insisted he had all the keys to his truck after it was stolen.