Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Patrolman Sandlin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 7, 2023

Just saw this on a re-run of Unsolved Mysteries! I’m shocked to learn that nothing has come of this or no new evidence especially from such a small town. People always talk and rumors fly, usually in that, you can develop leads. As I started to look into this online, I found it odd that there’s no mention about the case, place for tips on the case, tip line to call, or link to ODMP. To me at face value this is a coverup!! To what extent or level remains to be seen.

Rest in peace.

Officer Barker (retired)
PD

March 28, 2023

If he was working at Mountainaire PD. He could have been under a contracted hit, He may have had whistle-blower evidence of corruption higher up in the PD and town leadership. Perhaps the FBI needs to do an investigation into his death also into other complaints that have been filed.

Citizen
70

December 26, 2022

Rest in peace Patrolman Sandlin. Young and heroic!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2022

Is so sad that this day and age that these things can happen and people can get away with it I feel for his family

Pam Boylen

November 28, 2021

Just seen this episode is Unsolved Mysteries in December 2020.Such a shocking story and a disgraceful cover up.

Inspector Jones
Greater Manchester Police

December 16, 2020

Miss you very much Steve! You always defended me in High School when older bigger kids were picking on me. You would come from Bosque Farms to pick me up for school every morning when I was a Junior and you were a Senior. We rode together in your Camaro and had so many great times in high school. Just can't believe your gone! I was really good friends with Steve from 1984 until his death. Steve never ever did drugs and never was depressed or ever talked about suicide. I know he was murdered and I pray for justice for him and his family!

Patrick Garcia
Best Friend in High School

June 26, 2018

Patrolman Sandlin had a very good friend working in the Estancia Sheriff's Department on the night of his murder. He said he was listening to the radio calls, he was upset about the location of one of the officers in the department who was on patrol . He said he couldn't be in two places at the same time ..He tried to submit a statement to investigations.For some reason it keeps getting lost.. I called Broken Arrow to this position

Daniel Lawrence Jr. Rhodes
United States Marine Corps veteran

May 22, 2018

Rest in peace Patrolman Sandlin. So young and to leave your fiancee and young child behind. They will forever remember your bravery on behalf of New Mexico citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 7, 2018

Just saw the story on "unsolved mysteries " November 2017 really strange.RIP Hope it can be solved.

Deputy retired
Travis County SO Texas

November 2, 2017

I just saw your story. My heart aches for your family and friends. I join everyone in praying there is justice for you one day. You were on the way to becoming a great LEO! Rest in Love!

Pamala Henderson- US Citizen
Just a Mom

January 6, 2017

You were too young to die like this. You were barely even old enough to drink.

Citizen

August 12, 2016

Justice will happen eventually, they caught Gerald Mason even after 45 years for 2 cop killings in 1957 and got 2 life terms ( had he been caught sooner he likely would have been gassed). However we will need to wait for now, but justice will eventually be done no matter how long the wait is

Anonymous

July 20, 2016

Rest in peace Patrolman Sandlin

Officer Joseph Bresette
Galesville Police Department (WI)

May 9, 2015

To whom it may concern: it's sad Dave Carson got away with Steve murder.I am a step son of Dave Carson and his real name is Dave Shanklin I can't stand him myself. If I can help in anyway possible please contact me at [email protected]

Dennis none

July 7, 2014

I am convnced this was a pre-mediated murder of a police officer. I am very sad that all the depts. I contacted did not respoind with an appropriate investigation into a LEO's death.

I do not blame myself, but politics is my guess failed in this case!

I truly feel for the family (father especially) as no one has been brought to justice for this crime!

annoymous

August 18, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 7, 2010

I still think of you everyday stevie. We love you. Rest in peace.

Leighanne Harrison
Sister

May 21, 2009

Rest in peace, Officer Sandlin. You will not be forgotten.
PN/FF

Anonymous

May 1, 2009

Stephen, A day doesn't go by that I don't think about you my brother, I love you and miss you even after all these years. I hope to see you again someday. Rest in peace.

Chris Sandlin
Brother

May 16, 2008

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 7, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 17, 2007

Masy you rest in peace knowing that justice will be served in heaven even if not on this earth.May your loved ones be ever blessed.

May 7, 2007

I grew up with Stevie - our birthdays were one day apart and as kids, that was enough to start a fast friendship. When I think about him I see his smiling face with that mischevious glint in his eye. He always found ways to get into trouble, and often I joined him in those persuits. The last time I saw him was the night before I moved away - we went joy riding in his mom's El Camino, chucking fire crackers out the windows as we went. We got chased by a local cop and thought we got away, but the cop had recognized the car and waited for us at his house. As I left him that night, he was explaining to the officer why he didn't have his license with him - a license he wouldn't be eligible for for another year.

Stevie's knowledge of how to get into trouble would have made him a great cop. No one would have been able to pull a fast on him. I cried when I heard he was killed, and again when I saw the Unsolved Mysteries episode about him.

I pray that someday they catch whoever killed him, and I hope there's a special room in hell for that person who stole the life of such a wonderful, fun loving guy.

Bill Seiger

April 13, 2006

I worked with Steve before he went to Mountainair, and the memories of working with him still bring a smile to my face. We were always in trouble together, and always stuck together. He was a really good guy, and I still miss him and his sneaky grin. I was so proud when he became an officer there, and devastated to learn of his death and how it was originally reported as a suicide. Anyone that knew him knew better, and I was so glad to know that his death was reopened and reclassified as a homicide. I hope someday someone finally is arrested for his murder, and in the meantime my thoughts are with his family. Stevie, I still have my fishing pole in my truck dude, and will come and get your keys anytime!

Donna Brubach
City of Albuquerque Security

August 19, 2005