Officer Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.

Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.

Officer Frank Sjolander was shot and killed as he and another officer searched for possible robbery suspects at a boarding house at 124 Arno Street SE in Albuquerque.

The other officer had located a vehicle believed to be used in the robberies and called Officer Sjolander for assistance. As the two officers entered the boarding house, two suspects, both 21, came out and opened fire on them, striking Officer Sjolander four times and the other officer five times. Both were able to return fire, fatally wounding one of the suspects.

Officer Sjolander was transported to Bernanillo County-Indian Hospital, where he died 45 minutes later. The other officer survived his gunshot wounds to his arm, leg, and back. The bullet to his back was never able to be removed.

The second suspect escaped but was apprehended three days later at the Rio Grande River near Isleta Pueblo. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life but was paroled on April 21, 1966.

Officer Sjolander was a United States Navy Reserve WWII veteran and had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 13 months. He was survived by his wife and three children.