The Socorro Incident

On April 24, 1964, Socorro police officer Lonnie Zamora witnessed an egg-shaped craft with two small figures near it in the New Mexico desert. The case left physical traces and became one of the most investigated and credible UFO encounters.

The Officer

Lonnie Zamora:

• Socorro Police Department
• Experienced officer
• Impeccable reputation
• On duty
• Chasing speeder

The Chase

April 24, 1964:

• 5:45 PM
• Pursuing speeder
• Heard roar
• Saw flame
• Abandoned chase

What He Saw

Initial observation:

• Flame in distance
• Blue-orange color
• Roaring sound
• Thought explosion
• Drove toward it

The Craft

Upon approach:

• Egg-shaped object
• White, shiny
• About 15-20 feet
• On legs
• Red insignia visible

The Beings

Two figures:

• Small, person-sized
• White coveralls
• Near craft
• Appeared startled
• Quickly boarded

The Insignia

On craft’s side:

• Red symbol
• Specific design
• Zamora sketched it
• Unique marking
• Never identified

The Departure

What happened:

• Roaring resumed
• Blue flame underneath
• Craft rose
• Flew away
• Left traces

Physical Evidence

At landing site:

• Four depressions
• Burned vegetation
• Marks in soil
• Photographed
• Still visible next day

Immediate Investigation

Army personnel:

• From White Sands
• FBI agent arrived
• Multiple agencies
• Took seriously
• Official case

Project Blue Book

Air Force investigation:

• Hynek personally visited
• Found Zamora credible
• Case remains “unknown”
• Never explained
• Classic case

Dr. J. Allen Hynek

Scientific advisor:

• Interviewed Zamora
• Examined site
• Found impressive
• Changed his views
• Believed genuine

The Credibility

Why compelling:

• Police officer witness
• Physical traces
• Multiple investigations
• Zamora’s character
• Consistent story

Debunking Attempts

Theories proposed:

• Student hoax
• Test vehicle
• None proven
• All failed
• Still unexplained

Significance

Physical-trace case with impeccable law enforcement witness, investigated by multiple agencies, never explained.

Legacy

The Socorro landing remains a cornerstone UFO case—a credible witness, physical evidence, and official investigation that found no conventional explanation.