The Murder of Stephen Sandlin
Episode 167
Stephen Sandlin
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All of his life Stephen Sandlin wanted to be a police officer. Growing up the son of a cop, Stephen looked up to his father and wanted to follow in his footsteps. At the age of twenty-one one Stephen realized his dream, but less than two months later, he would be violent killed in the line of duty.
On the evening of Saturday, May 7th, 1988, Officer Sandlin was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the Mountainair, NM police department, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the head. Initially investigators believed the wound might have been self-inflicted, but multiple investigations would raise a series of disturbing questions.
Was Stephen Sandlin's murder related to a recent drug bust? Was it connected to an investigation into accusations made against the department? Or was Stephen targeted by more than one individual in an attempt to cover up illegal activities possibly involving drug trafficking and local officials?
Sources:
11 May 1988, Page 43 - Albuquerque Journal at Newspapers.com
Steve's picture on Memorial #2
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Murder in the Bayou: Who Killed the Women Known as the Jeff Davis 8? - Ethan Brown - Google Books
Patrolman Stephen A. Sandlin, Mountainair Police Department, New Mexico
(20+) The Official Unsolved Mysteries - Posts | Facebook
(20+) Dedication of the Stephen A. Sandlin Memorial Police Station | Facebook
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New Mexico State Fraternal Order of Police, 1420 Carlisle Blvd NE Ste 108, Albuquerque, NM (2021)
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