James "Jim" Sides

James “Jim” Sides, passed away on August 14, 2023, as a result of injuries he sustained in the line of duty, April 3, 1984. Jim was born March 14, 1955, to Ray and Betty Sides at Holloman Air Force Base. Jim was a graduate of Alamogordo High School, where he met his wife, Beckey. They married in 1974. Jim enlisted in the New Mexico State Police Academy in 1975 and was stationed in Lordsburg, NM. Jim dutifully served at the New Mexico State Penitentiary Prison Riots in 1980. After the riots, Jim decided on a change of pace and joined the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s office. Longing for home, Jim and Beckey returned to Alamogordo in 1981 where Jim joined the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety. Jim served the community faithfully until his injury sustained in an officer involved shooting in April 1984. In his early retirement, Jim loved to visit with his fellow officers, often meeting them at the local coffee shop. Later in his retirement as he found himself more homebound, he found a love of movies and enjoyed himself immensely. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Beckey Sides of the family home in Alamogordo; daughter, Jamie Prather and husband, Josh of Alamogordo; and son, Joshua Sides of Alamogordo. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Meghann, Noah, Brendyn, and Greyson. 

A Memorial Service for Jim will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Scenic Chapel. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Otero County Law Enforcement Appreciation.

The Sides family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the services.

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