Sergeant Curley had served Navajo Nation for 25 years
Victor Bigman, 49, of Kaibeto, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Bigman pleaded guilty to second degree murder on April 5, 2012.
Bigman had been charged with first degree murder for the killing of Navajo Nation Police Sergeant Darrell Curley on June 25, 2011. He pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense of second degree murder. The plea agreement contained a stipulated sentencing range of not less than 25 years, and not more than 35 years, in prison. Court documents indicate that Sergeant Curley was attempting to take Bigman’s son into custody when Bigman shot and killed him. Bigman admitted at his change of plea hearing that he shot Sergeant Curley four times.
Sergeant Curley had served with the Navajo Division of Public Safety for 25 years and was assigned to the Tuba City District. He is survived by his wife, three children, grandson, parents, siblings.
Sgt. Curley’s name was etched alongside seven fellow Navajo law enforcement officers on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial who have been killed in the line of duty since 1979.