Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 1, 1954
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 1, 1954
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One shot and killed
Officer Sjolander was shot and killed as he and another officer searched for possible robbery suspects. The other officer had located a vehicle believed used in the robberies and called Officer Sjolander for assistance. As the two officers entered a boarding house two suspects, both 21, came out and opened fire on them, striking Officer Sjolander four times and the other officer four times. Both were able to return fire, fatally wounding one of the suspects. The second suspect escaped but was apprehended three days later at the Rio Grande River near Isleta Pueblo.
The second suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 21, 1966.
Officer Sjolander had been with the agency for 13 months and was survived by his wife and four children.