Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Sjolander,
On today, the 70th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

December 1, 2024

My Uncle was "another officer" Eugene Casey who survived that day.
I hope the Sjolander family went on to live a happy life.

Kim Turner
Relative

June 2, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Sjolander.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2019

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 27, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 57th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 1, 2011

my father Eugene f. casey, recently passed away. (17-july-10') he was nearly 86 yrs old. He was with sjolander at the time of shooting. My dad felt so bad about about sjolander being killed back in 1954. I think they went to the police academy at the same time. My dad, Eugene carried one bullet near his spine all these years. My dads jacket that he wore on that fatefull night is on loan at the police museum in downtown albuquerque nm

civilian kellt t. casey
son of eugene f. casey

August 12, 2010

When Officer Sjolander was murdered, I was a few days shy of being two years old. Obviously, I couldn't have understood the horrifying story then. But the murder of a police officer was not something easily forgotten in 1954 New Mexico, and the shocking story was kept alive by horrified citizens years later.

The New Mexico streets then were not what they sadly have become. The shooting of a police officer was unthinkable then. Unbelievable. Unconscionable.

I remember listening to my father talk about Officers Frank Sjolander and Eugene Casey a few years later when I was old enough to better understand. I was terrified by the stories. If someone would shoot a big, strong policeman, what might those same people do to a little girl like me?

I was afraid, and I wondered if Officer Sjolander might have been afraid, too. I asked my father why he took the job. What would make the daddy of four little kids--a daddy not so different from my own--go out there where bad people with guns could hurt him? I remember my father said, "Because he knew he had to try his best to protect us, even if that meant he might be hurt himself. That's what policemen do, and that's why there are so few of them. Not many people have the kind of courage it takes to lay down their own life to protect others."

Officer Sjolander has never left my mind or my heart over these past 56 years. Today, as I take my daily walk around Arroyo del Oso Golf Course and pass the police sub-station on the corner, I stop for a moment to look at the monument to New Mexico's fallen heroes and I see his name alongside those of other police officers I've cried for since then--Phil Chacon, Shawn McWethy, Mike King, and my own dear friend, Richard Smith, who was likewise murdered by someone with a gun in 2005.

I look at this page and am saddened because there are only a handful of remembrances for this man who gave his life to protect those of us who could not protect ourselves, and my soul hurts. Those who make up that thin blue line separating a vulnerable world from those who would do us harm must not be forgotten.

And I pledge to never forget you, Officer Sjolander--you were one of the first examples of courage to ever impact my life. And you were one of my first heroes.

Good journey, Officer. I hope somewhere you are seeing my words and hearing my thoughts and knowing that even though many years have passed since you laid down your life for all of us, we still remember.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.

Sleep well. You kept us safe.

Rebecca Lowry
A Grateful Albuquerque Citizen

July 2, 2010

I read Mike Lewis' story today of his memories of the day you died. It made me sad. Today you would be an old man. We should all get to grow old. It's been so many years. It's nice that there is someone out there still to remind us of the sacrifice you made that day.

Anonymous

December 4, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 1, 2007

Warrior!

April 10, 2004