Longtime Albuquerque Police Attorney John D'Amato Dies at 70

D'Amato was known for defending officers and deputies across New Mexico for over three decades.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The passing of a longtime advocate for law enforcement leaves a void in the legal community that will be difficult to fill.Albuquerque Today

John D'Amato, a longtime attorney who represented law enforcement officers and agencies throughout New Mexico for over 30 years, has died at the age of 70 after a battle with late-stage bladder cancer. D'Amato was known for his dedication to defending police officers facing disciplinary issues, misconduct allegations, and use of force investigations.

Why it matters

D'Amato's passing leaves a significant void, as he was one of the few attorneys in the state who specialized in representing law enforcement. His advocacy and legal expertise were highly valued by police unions and agencies across New Mexico.

The details

D'Amato worked alongside law firm partner Fred Mowrer to represent the Fraternal Order of Police and later extended their services to all law enforcement agencies in the state. He was known for leaving family events to respond to crime scenes and offering pro bono work to give back to the community. D'Amato recently served as the defense attorney in a high-profile case against a former Albuquerque police officer.

  • D'Amato was diagnosed with late-stage bladder cancer in October 2024.
  • D'Amato passed away at his home in Bosque Farms on March 18, 2026.

The players

John D'Amato

A longtime attorney who represented law enforcement officers and agencies across New Mexico for over 30 years before his death.

Fred Mowrer

D'Amato's law firm partner, who worked alongside him to represent the Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement agencies in the state.

Shaun Willoughby

The president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association (APOA), who praised D'Amato's dedication to defending police officers.

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What they’re saying

“I will tell you that he did more for police officers than police officers do for each other. He bent over backwards for everybody that he served.”

— Shaun Willoughby, APOA President

“We would go to the scene of the incident whenever it would be and we would be there with the officers and represent them, both criminally and civically. There's a hole, to say the least, because it's hard to find somebody that's willing to do that and make sacrifices like that.”

— Fred Mowrer, D'Amato's Law Firm Partner

“We're never going to be able to replace him. There aren't many attorneys that specialize in representing police officers, but he was one of them so he was utilized in several agencies. They just don't make attorneys like that.”

— Shaun Willoughby, APOA President

What’s next

The Albuquerque Police Officers Association and other law enforcement agencies in New Mexico will need to find a new attorney to fill the void left by D'Amato's passing, as he was one of the few specialists in this field.

The takeaway

D'Amato's decades-long dedication to defending law enforcement officers and his passion for the profession made him an invaluable asset to police unions and agencies across New Mexico. His loss will be deeply felt, as finding an attorney with his level of expertise and commitment to the law enforcement community will be a significant challenge.