“Stories of Us” Shines Spotlight on South Broadway’s Rich Heritage

Albuquerque’s South Broadway neighborhood is known for its rich culture and history. Today, as part of the ABQ Stories of Us initiative, City officials, South Broadway community members, and families gathered to pay tribute to some of those South Broadway stories that have left an indelible impact on our city. 

The event featured the unveiling of two commemorative plaques on the grounds of St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, a community landmark, standing since the 1920’s. One plaque celebrates the cultural group Los Guadalupanos, now in their 100th year of curating a tradition of devotion in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Another plaque honors two local fallen officers, Sgt Julian Narvaez (BCSO) and Officer Kenneth Shawn McWethy (APD), both of whom were from the South Broadway neighborhood, and died in the line of duty.               

“South Broadway is such an important part of who we are as a city, and having the opportunity recognize just some of its defining stories is exactly why we started this initiative,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It reminds us that we are all part of a greater story, a story about community, resilience, courage, and faith.” 

Every year, South Broadway’s Los Guadalupanos group leads a procession during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, praying, blessing, and paying tribute at altars throughout the neighborhood. The feast occurs on December 12th (today), commemorating the story of Our Lady’s first apparition to peasant Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac in Mexico in 1531. This year, the actual procession will take place on Sunday, December 15th. 

“I’m a third generation Guadalupano, so this is very close to me. I made a promise to my father that I would keep the tradition going as long as I could and here we are celebrating 100 years of deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe,” said Los Guadalupanos President Patrick Ayala. “This is a big honor for us and for the neighborhood, and that it is happening on Feast Day, in the place where the tradition began, is deeply meaningful.” 

Two officers from the South Broadway neighborhood were honored at the ceremony. Sergeant Julian Narvaez, whose end of watch occurred on March 26, 1969, served with distinction in the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. He was known as a man of great courage and integrity, protecting the community he grew up in and where his family still resides.

“My brother has been gone for over 50 years, and it still affects me,” said Leroy Narvaez, brother of Sgt. Julian Narvaez. “He was highly respected in the community, and I’m proud of what the City is doing for him today. He’s gone, but not forgotten.” 

APD Officer Kenneth Shawn McWethy’s end of watch occurred on Feb 1, 1986. His service was defined by his unwavering dedication to justice and community, leaving a profound impact on his colleagues and the people of South Broadway.  

“My brother was 23 when he was killed, and now his plaque is only 100 yards from where he was shot, at Broadway & Pacific. He was less than a semester away from graduating UNM,“ said Matthew McWethy, brother of Officer Kenneth Shawn McWethy. “It left a hole in our in our lives, and hole in the community, it’s nice to see that they haven’t forgotten him.” 

ABQ Stories of Us is an initiative that pays tribute to the city’s extraordinary people, past and present, who have shaped Albuquerque’s historical and cultural landscape, ensuring their stories continue to inspire and inform future generations.