APD Sgt. Charged with Battery After Throwing Water on Spouse & Spanking Him with a Belt

Albuquerque –

Albuquerque Police Department Sergeant Joann Lopez was criminally summoned for battery when she threw water at her husband.

According to a criminal complaint, on August 17th, 2025, a person who identified himself as the husband of Lopez called 911 and said they need police to their residence. The caller said Lopez was “out of control” and went on to say “she won’t leave me alone, they’re hitting me.” The husband told the 911 call taker that his wife was employed with the Albuquerque Police Department.

The complaint goes on to say the 911 call taker asked the husband if any weapons were involved, and he said “No, well, they hit with me a belt.” (sic)

When officers arrived, they turned the investigation over to higher authorities within APD. The husband had made audio recordings of the incident.

Joann: “You’re so pathetic”.
Michael: “Thank you
(Inaudible)
Stop throwing fucking water on me!”
Joann: “Why, why should I stop throwing water on you?”
A second recording is played for Sgt Neil and the following is what can be heard:
Joann: “I’m not scared anymore”
Michael: “okay”
Michael: “The water is all over there”
Joann: “It’s water!”
Michael: “I don’t care. It’s still a battery. You’re throwing water on me”

APD investigators interviewed Lopez and she confirmed she was holding a water bottle and motioning towards her husband but explained the water was falling on her feet and not on her husband.

They also interviewed a son at the residence who said Lopez threw the water at her husband. The husband said “you’re going to jail, that’s battery.”

Lopez did in fact avoid jail and the APD investigation was kept under wraps until the criminal complaint was filed in the courts.

This isn’t the first time Lopez was in trouble with the law regarding domestic violence. In March of 2016, she was charged with battery against her husband.

In January of 2025, APD awarded Lopez supervisor of the month for the Southeast area command.

We reached out to APD for comment and will update the story if we hear back from them.