Special Agent Richard J. Sandlands
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, August 2, 1929

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: Friday, August 2, 1929
Incident Location: Michigan
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Charged with manslaughter

Agent Sandlands was killed when his neck was broken while struggling with a suspect in a boat on the Detroit River in Detroit, Michigan. Agent Sandlands was on a temporary assignment to Detroit for 60 days during a concentrated effort to stop rum-running between Canada and the United States. He and another agent spotted the boat and boarded.

When the second agent got off the boat to call for assistance the suspect attacked Agent Sandlands and killed him. When the second agent returned the boat was gone and Agent Sandlands could not be found. His body was found floating in the river several days later. The suspect and the suspect's wife were both charged with manslaughter.

Agent Sandlands was survived by his parents.