Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

We all come to this page because we are part of one big family - a family that loves together, prays together and grieves together.

Our son recently lost his partner, and until that fateful day, we were not aware of this site. Now we check it daily. We want you to know that our prayers and thoughts are for you and your loved ones. We grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

God bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great nation.

Please remember us in your prayers, dear one. We love you and thank you for your sacrifice.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 5, 2004

Rest in Peace Hero!

Police Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Dept.

September 14, 2004

We are truly saddened at John's loss.
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We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

June 11, 2004

So long, but never goodbye..
We will not forget.

Phoenix PD

May 12, 2004

Thank you Deputy Sandlin for keeping us safe from bad. God bless you.

Renny Kassel
California Citizen

May 6, 2004

To Deputy John Sandlin Family, Friends and Solano County Sheriff Department.This is to let you know you are in the thought and prayers of myself and the members of Mullins Police Department. Deputy Sandlin laid down his life in the line of duty , this is the ultimate sacrifice a officer can do for his community and department. Now rest my brother, Fore the THIN BLUE-LINE will carry on in your name and memory.

Lt. Chuck Jackson
Mullins Police Department (S.C)

May 6, 2004

Reserve Deputy John Sandlin is my uncle. I have read these reflections and continue in awe of the man I knew and loved. I knew him as Uncle Johnny and he was always there for anyone, when I was little he came to visit us in Hamilton, Ohio, he hugged us and made crazy faces with us for the camera. To me, he was the man that traveled the world in his submarine and later he was the uncle that flew from the West Coast to Hamilton in his Cessna to visit family. But when I became an adult, he became the uncle who was there when we needed him. When my 18 year old son died in an auto accident, Uncle Johnny could not come back home for the funeral, but he and Aunt Kay called and gave me comfort and support. When my father passed away in Janauary 1999, Uncle Johnny stepped in and did what needed to be done while we were in shock and living through the grief of his passing. My husband and I visited with Uncle Johnny and Aunt Kay last year and they showed us around the San Francisco area and shared their pride and love for their community. Uncle Johnny was very proud of his work with the Sheriff's office and talked fondly of the officers who worked with him. When I needed a question answered, he was there, when he came home to visit, he fixed things for everyone. The room lit up when Uncle Johnny entered it, he was that kind of guy! I will truly miss my Uncle Johnny, but I gain comfort in knowing that he died doing what he loved. I know that he is in Heaven with my dad and my son and together they are all keeping watch over us.

Sylvia

May 2, 2004

I would like to leave a message, not for Deputy Sandlin, but all of you who have left yours for him. I thank Deputy Jack Spear for sending me this website. He knows I have been recording e-mail about and to Deputy Sandlin for the family. All of yours will be included with the messages from our own Office.

I was Deputy Sandlin's supervisor, friend, and partner in the past. I am now working with many other dedicated men and women to put together a proper Memorial Service for John. Rest assured, it will be a thing of splendor and honor, befitting him. Deputy Sandlin would have considered it an honor and a privellage to give his life for the safety of others -- and only regret that he had one life to give. Those of you who knew will know the truth of those words.

John was also honored last year when, at the age of 65, he thwarted an escape attempt by a crazed prisoner in his late 20's as he tried to escape from a hospital he was being treated at. Deputy Sandlin and this lunatic struggled for minutes over Deputy Sandlin's pistol, both were peppersprayed, and in the end, Deputy Sandlin subdued the man less than half his age, taller and heavier. Before that day I appreciated John as a friend and mentor in life. After that day I came appreciate him as a lawman of impossible ability, shrewdness, and strength.

I thank all of you on behalf of my agency and Deputy Sandlin's family for your kind words and loving words. They shall be memorialized in his family and our Office. You have been heard. Be safe out there.

Deputy Jonathan Mazer, Patrol/Marine Res
Solano County Sheriff's Office

May 1, 2004

God be with your family, RIP

MSG

May 1, 2004

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy John Sandlin’s family, friends, and co-workers with the Solano County Sheriff’s Department.

God bless our brother in blue may you rest in peace. Now you can walk Heaven’s beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

April 30, 2004

John and I became Reserve Deputy Sheriff's together nearly twenty years ago. I cannot believe he has been taken. I do take solace in knowing John died doing what he truly loved.

During the past week I have reflected on the many experiences that John and I experienced and the friendship that we developed. We started our Reserve careers in the Sheriff's Aero Squadron, went to the Reserve Academy together and have served the County for several years. John was always there to do what ever was asked. I can recall a time when a small housing area was evacuated due to rain and mudslide threats. John and I were tasked with providing over night security and protection of the vacated homes. For several nights we patrolled the area and stood guard. It was a miserable assignment; rain, cold, wind, long hours.. John was the glue that kept us both going even though we, as Reserves, could have asked to be relieved. He kept us entertained, be it humor or serious conversation, he did not allow us to get bored.

I will remember John ALWAYS and the many lessons he taught me, I am a better person because of him.

John, my friend, Go with God.

Jack Spear

Reserve Deputy Jack Spear
Solano County Sheriff's Office

April 30, 2004

I pray for the wife, family, friends and co-workers of Reserve Deputy Sandlin. Words are not adequate but so many of us are walking this path with you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

April 29, 2004

Rest in Peace Brother. You have earned your place among the heroes by your dedication to duty. We are grateful for your sacrifice above and beyond the call. Be assured your loved one will never be alone. We of The Blue Knights are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police

April 28, 2004

This is a very sad and tragic time for family, friends, and fellow officers. May you find comfort during this time. Please remember he did not die in vain, and his legacy will live on through others. Thank you deputy for your dedication and committment.

YPD

Anonymous

April 28, 2004

May you rest in peace knowing that you served your community well and have made their lives better. May God and yourself watch over your loved ones. I salute you my brother for all you have done.

Boone County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

April 28, 2004

That which we do for ourselves dies with us. That which we do for others lives forever. You will be remembered by many grateful people.

Nihil D. Smith, Reserve Lieutenant
San Diego Sheriff's Department

April 28, 2004

Deputy Sandlin,

God Bless You Brother....Rest in Peace. My prayers are with your family and Solano County Sheriffs Department.

Officer
NC

April 28, 2004

My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Deputy Sandlin, as well as the Solano County Sheriff's Department. I was saddened to hear of Dep. Sandlin's death and the loss of someone who was compassionate of giving himself to his community, state, and country his whole life. You are a hero, and have earned your peace in heaven.
Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Stephan Schneider
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

April 28, 2004

Though I did not have the pleasure of knowing you Deputy Sandlin, I take comfort in the fact you and your brothers and sisters help keep our County safe.

It is unfortunate you gave the ultimate sacrifice for our community. Thank you Deputy Sandlin!

Solano County Resident

April 27, 2004

Dear John and Family,

I was blessed with being able to dispatch for John and other officers while on duty as a dispatcher from 11/97 until 12/01. John always came into dispatch prior to shift to say "hi" and spread cheer. I will always remember the smile on his face and his willingness to do the littlest thing to make someone else's day better. I was very hurt to hear of his passing. Although it has been a few years since I worked with him, I will never forget his smile!!! God Bless his family. He may be 10-7 in heaven, but never forgotten!!!

Liz / Solano Co. Sheriff Dispatch 1D5 11/97-12/01

Liz / Dispatcher
Oro Valley Police Dept

April 27, 2004

Our hearts and prayers go out to Deputy Sandlin's family, his co-workers and the community he served.

State Trooper (Reserve)
Florida Highway Patrol

April 27, 2004

Thoughts and prayers to your family and friends. I pray that whoever reads this reflection page find comfort in knowing that all though many officers have never met, we all feel the loss and the sorrow and carry on your legacy each day. Reserve Officers are great assets to departments and you are comended for your efforts!!!!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan-Department of Environmental Quality

April 27, 2004

God Bless this family,and hold them close to you as they grieve the loss of Deputy Sandlin, Comfort them and lift them up daily Father, Your love and your touch will be all the really need. In Jesus' name. Amen

Pat Carruth
Surviving Mom of
Officer Jeremy"Jay" Carruth
EOW2/20/03

April 27, 2004

Dear Sandlin Family and Friends,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Please take some comfort in two verses from the Bible:"Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." Matt. 5:4 and "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the Children of God." Matt. 5:9. God Bless.

Ofc. Mike Snyder
Coral Springs PD, Florida

April 27, 2004

Rest in pease my law enforcement brother in blue. We will pick up the watch from here. Thanks for your service to your Contry and your God. May God keep you, and May god protect the men and women in blue.

Anonymous

April 27, 2004