ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WBTW) -- There are more than 1,700 miles separating Dillon County from New Mexico's capital city, but officials in both communities have been side-by-side for nearly a year in the wake of a brutal cross-country crime spree that took the lives of first responders in both. On Friday, the man responsible for one the killings and accused in the other pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court's New Mexico division, assuring he'll never get out of prison. Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, admitted to five charges connected to the March roadside ambush of New Mexico State Police Ofc. Justin Hare. Smith is also accused of kidnapping and murdering Pee Dee paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. Timeline: What’s happened so far in the case of Jaremy Smith, the man accused of killing Pee Dee paramedic, New Mexico officer "I wish I could have met Justin and Phonesia. I wish I could have warned them about Jaremy Smith," Raul Bujanda, a New Mexico FBI Special Agent in Charge, said at a Friday news conference following Smith's plea. "If I'm completely honest, I wish we were not here today. I wish such evil would not exist in the world, and yet it does." Despite facing multiple life sentences in federal prison, officials on Friday acknowledged that Smith still needs to answer for his crimes in South Carolina. "To the family of Phonesia Machado-Fore, we understand this is one step in the entire process. We hope that this one step is a positive outcome for you all," New Mexico Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jason R. Bowie said. The Marion County Sheriff's Office in April issued 17 warrants tied to Machado-Fore, 52, whose body was found March 15 outside of Lake View in Dillon County. "South Carolina charges are still pending in the death of our local paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. However, today was an incredible step forward for the family (both blood and blue) of slain New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare," the agency wrote on its Facebook page. "It is always appreciated when Phonesia is mentioned and honored during New Mexico authorities' press conference." Terry Hare, Justin's mother, said the 10-month journey to get justice for her son doesn't mean the fight is over. "No family should have to go through this, especially the family of a first responder of any kind," she said. "We've got your back, you guys. We've got your back, and we're going to fight for all law enforcement officers and first responders. This isn't over yet," she said.