Roll of Honor
Incident
Investigator Steve Sandberg was shot and killed while guarding a prisoner at St. Cloud Hospital, in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The prisoner was in custody in connection with a domestic assault in Aitkin County. At approximately 5:15 am the subject attacked and disarmed Investigator Sandberg in the hospital room. The man then fatally shot Investigator Sandberg with his own service weapon.
Another deputy was able to subdue the subject with a Taser. The man died a short time later from an unknown cause.
Investigator Sandberg had served with Aitkin County Sheriff's Office for 24 years.
Steve, It's been a while since we last spoke, since we last laughed...and we always laughed. I visit you every year on this morning..no matter where in the world I am..no matter what the weather is...no matter how far I have to travel ..to kneel at your grave under the dark skies..and weep for you, the loss of you..
I know your on that "big beach" in the sky, finally able to "eat the fruit and drink the water" that you could not reach from your place here on earth.
The world is a better place only because you were here...I miss you...still
Adrena Friend, Former colleague October 18th, 2019
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MN-B43BCE66- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Investigator Sandberg gave the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Aitkin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Sandberg.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Steven Martin Sandberg 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven Martin Sandberg's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Martin Sandberg Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Martin Sandberg is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven Martin Sandberg was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Aitkin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.