Mountainair Police Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Saturday, May 7, 1988
Age: 21
Tour of Duty: 2 months
Badge Number: 4
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 7, 1988
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Stephen Sandlin was shot and killed inside of the Mountainair Police Department building at approximately 7:30 pm.
It is believed that he was murdered in retaliation for a large narcotics arrest he had made two days earlier.
His murder remains unsolved.
Patrolman Sandlin had only served with the Mountainair Police Department for two months. He was survived by his son and girlfriend.