On May 7, 1988, Patrolman Stephen A. Sandlin, a 21-year-old rookie cop, was fatally shot inside the Mountainair Police Department building in Mountainair, New Mexico. The incident occurred around 7:30 pm, a time when most of the town was attending a talent show at the local high school. Sandlin had joined the four-man Mountainair Police Department just a couple of months prior to his death and was known for his diligent enforcement, which sometimes put him at odds with his superiors. Earlier that evening, Sandlin had a phone conversation with his girlfriend, during which he expressed frustrations with the police chief who had advised him to 'mellow out' because he was issuing too many citations and running his radar too frequently. The conversation was interrupted by an unidentified female who entered the police station, feeling that Sandlin and his girlfriend were being too loud and possibly arguing. After assuring his girlfriend that it was 'no big deal,' Sandlin hung up the phone.
The last person to see Sandlin alive was a 21-year-old soldier named Eugene 'Butch' Wright, who was spending his military leave at the police chief's house. Wright had climbed the stairs to the police department to ask Sandlin about going on a ride-along the next day but instead found Sandlin mortally wounded and clinging to life in a pool of blood. Wright immediately ran outside to Sandlin's car and called the police chief, who arrived within 30 seconds. Other responders, including an EMT who was also the town's mayor, arrived shortly afterward, but by the time a doctor responded, it was too late, and Sandlin was pronounced dead at 8:12 pm.
The investigation into Sandlin's death was complex and contentious. Initially, the death was not classified as a homicide; instead, it was treated as an 'unexplained shooting' and even considered a possible suicide. However, it wasn't until 1995, under the tenure of Attorney General Tom Udall, that Sandlin's cause of death was officially recognized as a homicide.
Over the years, multiple investigators have examined the case, and various theories have emerged. There have been speculations that Sandlin's death might be linked to a recent marijuana bust, as evidence related to the case had gone missing. Some have suggested that Sandlin's fellow officers could be implicated, while others have pointed to potential external factors. In 2010, investigators from then-Attorney General Gary King's office reportedly told Tom Sandlin, Stephen's father, that they had identified a suspect but could not prosecute because the individual was already dead.
The case remains unsolved, but recent developments have brought new hope for closure. The New Mexico Department of Justice's cold case unit, armed with advanced forensic technologies, including Forensic Genetic Genealogy, has taken a fresh look at the case. There is 'potential DNA' evidence found at the scene that is being tested to see if it can generate a profile. This renewed effort aims to bring justice to the victim and his family, who have been fighting for answers for over three decades. Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made, and the case continues to be an unsolved mystery.
