Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Reserve Deputy Sandlin,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy. 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)

April 23, 2024

Rest in eternal peace

Mark Mottola

April 23, 2020

Rest in peace Reserve Deputy Sandlin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 31, 2019

It has been 15 years....the ultimate handyman and all around great person. I think about you often. I remember that night we lost you....rest easy John.

Matt OZSO Investigator
Former Solano So. Deputy Sheriff

April 23, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 23, 2018

To My Friend and partner John Sandlin

I can hardly believe 9 years have passed since your loss. I think of you often, from our many hours as pilots flying patrol, to or our ground assignments as Reserve Deputies. We enjoyed many hours of service together protecting the citizens of Solano County.

Whenever I visit Solano County it is a must to visit the road that was dedicated to you. I feel humbled and honored to have been your friend and partner. I know the folks in heaven are just a bit more secure with you there.

Rest well my friend, we will meet again.

Reserve Deputy Jack Spear
Solano County, Ca .... Friend

June 18, 2013

You came to mind today in a conversation with a friend. As so often happens when you come to my mind (which is frequently) I'm assaulted with bittersweet memories. The most poignant is your constant end of shift visit and gratitude for us having taken care of you.
Thanks for taking care of us, John!

Shauna Jole -

April 12, 2013

Thinking of you and your family on this eighth anniversary of your death. I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

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

April 23, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Sandlin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 22, 2012

I will always remember John's smile, his generosity and his love for this job. He rode with me many nights, always glad to be there, always wanting to drive, always wanting to be on the radio, AND NEVER allowing me to pay for dinner! haha...John always had a kind word for people, and always had a smile on his face.

RIP my brother...I'm a better person for knowing you.

To John's family...thank you for sharing your wonderful husband/son/father/uncle with us. I know it is not easy having a cop in the family, but having the support of loved ones makes it easier for us to do what we do. Know that John was a part of a family and will never be forgotten by those of us who worked with him and loved him too. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Ofc. E. Sylvester (Norman)
Solano SO (10/1998 - 4/2005)
Dixon PD (4/2005 - present)

Officer Erin Sylvester
Dixon PD

January 8, 2012

Deputy Sandlin. I live in Cordelia, and drive along Cordelia Road several times a week. I always take the time to reflect upon your service as I drive the stretch of road that has been dedicated to you. I needed to come on here and find out more about you. It sounds like us in Solano County really lost a wondeful man that fateful day in 2004, but your dedication will live on in th hearts of your brothers and sisters in blue forever. Thank you kindly sir for your service to our country AND our county. God Speed.

Wife of a Richmond PD Officer

August 17, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. Your wife has been incredibly supportive to our family.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I hold all your loved ones in my heart's embrace today and pray for solace for them.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 23, 2009

Remembering your service and sacrifice on this anniversary of your death. Thank you for keeping us Solano County residents safe. May your family find comfort in their loving memories and the support of fellow survivors.

Michelle Walker
Surviving Spouse, CHP Lt. Mike Walker EOW 12-31-05

April 23, 2009

Uncle Johnny,

We have visited your memorial in Washington DC and I think of you often. This weekend we went to get murals painted on our motorcycle and you will honored there along with Adam on the police car and Hummer- a public honor in a private way. I really miss you! I know you are having a great time in Heaven.

Love you
Sylvia

Sylvia Shiveley
Niece

December 15, 2008

RIP

Anonymous

September 8, 2008

Thank You for Your service as a retired U. S. Navy Officer, and Your service to the State of California.

May You Rest - In - Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

April 23, 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 6, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the members of the Solano Co. SO, the family and friends of Deputy Sandlin and to the citizens of the county who lost a fine officer. I did not know Deputy Sandlin but I know I would have liked him. Just reading what others wrote about him is good enough. Rest in peace, Sir. Semper Fidelis.

Sgt Al Whitney (USMC Retired)
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Arizona

October 4, 2006

John,
I am sorry that I never had the chance to meet you. I feel lesser for it. I know that you were a true HERO and an outstanding person.

I look forward to meeting you in Heaven. Maybe then I can meet the HEROs that so many look up to..PAX VOBISCUM..

HEROS LIVE FOREVER !!!

SGT Phil Abdoo
Macomb County Sheriff's Office (MI)

June 26, 2006

To Deputy John Sandlin, his loved ones, and his fellow officers:

On this the second anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is revered and honored today.

May your family continue be to comforted by the warm embrace of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family and I especially thank your wife for attending the remembrance service we had for Larry on April 23rd and the Christening of Cody. That must have been hard for her too so we thank her for sharing her day with us.

Reading all the loving reflections left by those who cared for you gives us an understanding of what a good and honorable man you were and of the high esteem with which you are held.

John, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Deputy Sandlin. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Deputy Sandlin gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 23, 2004.

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

April 25, 2006

To Deputy John Paul Sandlin:

On this Veterans Day, I honor your distinquished service to your country.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater,
Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

November 11, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy John Sandlin and his fellow officers, and most especially to Deputy Sandlin:

In reading the reflections about John, it is obvious he was a much loved and well-respected man, one who truly deserves the title hero. I wish I had the honor to have met him, but the essence of him lives on through the memories so lovingly recounted in the reflections.

On behalf of our entire family, we extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you suffered when he was tragically killed.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the twenty years of service Deputy Sandlin gave to his community as a reserve deputy, and to his country through his military service, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 23, 2004.

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

November 1, 2005

I remember John from my four years in dispatch at Solano Co. S.O.... and I think what I remember most is his smile. He would come in to comm at the beginning of shift to say "hi." I too, have been on the receiving end of his kindness, I remember he fixed my sprinklers and refused to let me pay him... he was just an all around, great guy. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed by all for many, many years to come! God Bless his family.

Liz Potter Dispatcher
Oro Valley Police Department

October 2, 2005

It’s been a year now since John left. I sometimes can’t believe it. I think about him often, as I am sure a lot of other people do and I guess in that sense he’s not really gone at all. It’s hard not to think about John. I mean of course he was a great public servant and officer. It has been noted that he single-handedly fended off a viscous attack by an inmate much younger and much larger than him just months before his death. He is remembered as a hero for that, and rightfully so. But I look around my house and realize that there is hardly a room in it that John Sandlin did have a part in. You see besides being a retired naval officer, published novel author and public service hero, John Sandlin was an independent light construction contractor. A good one too. It was his hobby, I guess.

Just about everyone that knew John Sandlin has had a ceiling fan put in by him or a patio cover or some other small project around their house. In my case, it was a little more extensive. At my house, John replaced a wall, hung a door, installed at least 6 ceiling fans, put in a garage door opener, installed my son’s closet organizer, put up chair rail in my daughter’s room, installed an attic fan, re-wired my garage and built a gate in the back yard. Most of this he did for barley over the cost of materials. He did have one requirement though, and that was iced tea. It was mandatory that my wife Lisa, maintain a steady supply of iced tea while he was working.

Just to demonstrate the kind of man John was, when he installed the gate at my house, I was away on active military service right after 9/11. The gate had broken and Lisa called John. He was, as usual very busy with various projects at the time, but he knew I was deployed and made the time to come over and help Lisa out. He installed a gate that was vastly superior to the one I had put in there before, and when Lisa tried to pay him for the work he had done, he adamantly refused to accept payment telling her that it was his way of supporting those of us who were away serving our country. Can you believe that? That’s was the true nature of John Sandlin. We miss John Sandlin.

Sergeant Gary Elliott
Solano County Sheriff's Office

April 23, 2005

Rest In Peace Brother, We have the watch from here.

Cpl. D.Johansen
Federal Reserve System Police Services

January 3, 2005