Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I still remember the last words you said to me before you died, hours before and I will never forget you.

Retire Police Officer
South Precincu

March 15, 2024

Officer Sanderson,
On today, the 25th 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. Air Force as a Security Policeman. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 29, 2023

I know this is old but I just found it. I served with Sande in the Air Force in 1982/83. He was a super nice guy and helped this new Airman through training. Memory eternal my friend.

Sgt. Becky Schooley (Morris)
21st Security Police Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK

December 12, 2022

Rest in Peace my Brother in Arms

Anrae G Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police

January 3, 2021

We lost a true gentleman , and I lost a great friend. You are missed.

HOWARD Treadwell, Retired Flight Sergean
EAFB, Anchorage

April 25, 2020

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 10, 2020

I was Sande’s Police rookie he trained at the Birmingham Police Department back in June 1996. He was the best FTO ever. Sande taught me how to fuse street knowledge with law enforcement and police a community that really didn’t want to be policed. I’m gratefully to this day for Sande. I owe my law enforcement accolades and accomplishments to Officer Robert “Sande” Sanderson.

Anthony Williams, Sr.

January 29, 2020

Was in the Air Force with SanMan, we were the only two guys on Flight from Alabama. He was a great person and a lot of fun. May God watch over your family until you all see each other again.

Lemuel Haynes
USAF Retired

January 15, 2020

My brother Russell and my momma Geri York spoke about you often. All of their memories of you were fond and funny with alot of brave and heroics mixed in. They both thought that you were great and you kept my momma safe on more than just a few occasions. Russell introduced me to your wife Felecia once at Hogans and called her "good people". Y'all are all in heaven now. Looking forward to meeting you one day. But not yet.

Leasa Moore
n/a

June 30, 2019

Miss you still always have always will. Truly believe that your spirit lives on in all of us who loved you in this world. Others have been called to Heaven since you. Be there to meet them baby and welcome them. I pray often to know what to do until I see you again. Try to be more like you I guess. May God give me the courage I lack. RIP

Felecia Sanderson
BPD widow Sande Sanderson

January 14, 2019

I knew Sande as a brother n law and friend. I was such a great Daddy to my niece (Kimberly Sanderson) and loved her dearly. He was there until the very end, anything she needed he would have the biggest smile when he gave it to her. He will always be missed forever. She still to this day will tear up when talking about him. Rest In Peace my friend.

Billie Armstrong
Sister N Law

January 29, 2018

Sande was a friend of mine. We served together in the United States Air Force in the mid 80's when we were both stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Sande and his roommate were the first two people to greet me when I first arrived as a young 17 year old kid. As it so often happens, I lost touch with Sande when he left Alaska. Several years later, I learned about his demise. I don't know anything about his police career, but I am sure he served his office in the same manner he approached everything else in his life; with compassion and a genuine love of people. It is my wish that he is always remembered as a hero and a wonderful human being.

Lieutenant Marc Fletcher
Parker County Sheriff's Office

October 21, 2017

Sande was a really fun person to be around. Great attitude, great conduct and very compassionate, even to criminals. I once saw him take off his jacket and put it on a cold, handcuffed juvenile offender. I hope that he is always remembered.

Captain David Agee
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

January 30, 2017

Heyyyyyyyy , out of them all Sande you are my very hardest to visit ......you are still remembered , still missed , and still loved .......never thought when we were in the academy , when we studied together you would not be here now.....rest gently my friend , rest gently

Retired officer Val pickens
Birmingham police dept.

July 10, 2016

Abortion clinic building finally torn down. RIP Sandy. http://yellowhammernews.com/faithandculture/alabama-abortion-clinic-demolished-in-spite-of-owner-claiming-god-wants-me-to-do-this-job/

Officer Phillip L Johnson Sr
Birmingham Police Retired

January 16, 2016

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

January 29, 2013

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

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 24, 2012

Remembering you today and holding your family in my thoughts and prayers on this fourteenth anniversary. Rest in Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 29, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 13th 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.

I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Tears are streaming down my face as I have read the reflections of those who hold you in their hearts and souls. Your murder was such a horrific and senseless crime.

Rest in Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 29, 2011

Sande, I heard a lot about you when I started South. You went down when I was in the academy. It really affected Bruce, but he taught us that day anyway. When I first hit the streets, I was with Crow a lot. He taught me a large portion of what I know, but since you trained him, I guess I need to thank you also. He called me not long ago, and ironically, I was visiting the gravesite of the first two Birmingham officers killed in the line of duty. He talked about you during our conversation. When they caught Rudolph, I was working the desk that night. Crow came through the lobby and stopped at your picture and told you that they caught him. I'll never forget that. I find myself talking to Philip's picture we have in our lobby. Your wife called me years back, on another night I was working the desk. I had to call Jefferson County and put extra patol on where she was living due to a reporter bothering her. For a young cop, it was an honor to assist your spouse, after she lost so much. I went by the new precinct a few weeks ago to a class. It's alot nicer than that asbestos factory they used to keep us in. Things have changed a lot at South, and at Birmingham as a whole. Just wanted to keep you posted. Take care man.

Officer A. Schniper
Pelham Police Department

May 18, 2010

well sande , here it is another year , 11 and it doesn't seem that way . i must admit after posting a reflection last year , i felt a weight lifted somewhat and coming here today wasn't as bad as before .........your spirit still remains and just think if you were still here physically we would be retiring in a few months . never knew when i met you , you would be the awesome officer you became ........you are still missed sande.......continue to rest gently my brother......

officer val pickens
b'ham pd/b'ham , al

January 29, 2009

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THERES PROBABLY NOT ONE DAY IN MY LIFE SINCE THAT DAY AT THE CLINIC WHEN SANDE WAS KILLED AND EMILY WAS SEVERLY INJURED THAT I DONT REMEMBER. I WAS A LPN WORKING WITH BOTH OF THEM AT THE CLINIC AND I JUST HAPPEN TO BE RUNNING LATE THAT MORNING. I GUESS I WILL ALWAYS CARRY GUILT IN HEART, KINDA LIKE SURVIVIRS GUILT, IT NEVER GOES AWAY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THIS MAN FOR PROTECTING ME EVERYDAY THAT I WENT TO WORK. HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO. HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HE GAVE UP OR THE FAMILY HE LEFT BEHIND TO PROTECT US.

regina gunn registered nurse
co-worker at clinic

May 29, 2008

Officer Sanderson:

You are most certainly not forgotten. I discuss Your murder during many training days. I also discuss the keen observation of a young cop, that brought Your murderer to trial.

As a felow cop who hailed from the South, I find it quite offensive that Your murderer is allowed to spew his venom on a website while incarcerated.

But those of us out here, will still keep up the good fight, so that those as You, will never have died in vain. May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

January 29, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO DUTY AND YOUR SACRIFICE. YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 26, 2008

okay sande.......people will never know just how many times i have come to your site and tried to post , but i know you know.........i know ,took me 10 years .i have posted things for everyone else , but you my friend . you , you were a different cookie and each time i came here your spirit wouldn't leave me alone long enough to form anything .....took 10 years sande , that's a long time . i remember , never will forget the things you shared with me and just as then , they will remain . still it is something about your eyes even in this pic , remember i told you something about those eyes of yours.......i know you were with me when i drove your van back home to felecia , crying all the way ......hating eric rudolph and wishing him dead . the windows were warped , but not shattered . your coffee cup and newspaper were undisturbed , your duty jacket was still lying on the seat and i tucked it and hid it so i could carry it back to your wife as i left the scene . wanted her to still have the smell of you to wrap around her. that day i will never forget . when i got there she came out and we just sat ther in the van not saying a word , only tears . she put your jacket on , i held her hand ,hours later the sun went down , we finally went into the house .....so many never knew of the things you struggled with and overcame and as i sit here with tears streaming down my cheeks , i can finally say you were the one who strengthened me and not the other way around .i'm sure in a couple of days people will speak of you and what happened 10 years ago , your life stood for far more than what your death did and it is your life that i celebrate on the day it was taken from us ......my brother there is still so much to say , but i will return someday......oh how you loved this calling........continue to rest gently my friend , my brother......thank you you for your friendship.....i'll never forget.......thank you for sharing the thin blue......

officer val pickens
b'ham pd/b'ham , al

January 26, 2008