Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Samuel Sanchez

Guadalupe Police Department — Guadalupe, CA

Felonious

End of Watch April 13, 1969

Age 25

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Badge 5

The Vigil Panel 105 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Officer Sanchez was transporting three prisoners to the jail in Santa Maria when his vehicle was struck by a vehicle being operated by a drunk driver. Two of the prisoners, ages 16 and 25, were also killed. The 3rd 20-year-old prisoner and Officer Sanchez's 25-year-old partner who was driving were hospitalized. The 35-year-old driver of the other car, father of 8 children, was convicted of reckless driving and one count of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in jail. Officer Sanchez had served with the Guadalupe Police Department for 4 years. He had four brothers and a sister-in-law who served in law enforcement.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-0A79A142
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Sanchez gave the Guadalupe Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Guadalupe community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sanchez.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Guadalupe Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Guadalupe, Santa Barbara County, CA

Platform Identity gpd.santabarbara.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 13, 1969

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 25

Badge Number 5

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Police Officer Samuel Sanchez is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

Guadalupe Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel Sanchez's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

1 (0%)

Accident

1 (0%)

Illness

1 (0%)

Cardiac

1 (0%)

Undetermined

1 (0%)

Suicide

1 (0%)

How Samuel Sanchez Compares

Age at Death

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Sanchez is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,516

May

1,504

Jun

1,442

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,517

Sep

1,491

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Sanchez was killed by automobile.

Handgun

3,684

Gun

3,592

Gun; Unknown type

1,492

Shotgun

1,109

Rifle

935

Officer's handgun

909

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Guadalupe Police Department are honored on badge.nw.