Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer II Roberto Sanchez was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by a vehicle while attempting to make a traffic stop.
Officer Sanchez and his partner were in the Harbor City section of the city and were following a vehicle on Anaheim Street, attempting to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle they were attempting to stop made a sudden U-turn at President Avenue. As the patrol car also made the U-turn a SUV that had been following the patrol car rammed it at a high rate of speed. The two occupants of the SUV fled on foot.
Both officers were trapped in the vehicle and Officer Sanchez's partner was unable to reach his radio to call for assistance. He then utilized his mobile phone and called 911. Both officers were removed from the vehicle by responding emergency units. They were taken to a local hospital where Officer Sanchez died from his injuries.
The driver of the SUV fled the scene on foot but was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, assault on a peace officer and leaving the scene of the accident.
On October 18, 2018, the driver was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Sanchez had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-BCA7F22C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer II Sanchez gave the Los Angeles Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer II Sanchez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer II Roberto Carlos Sanchez is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Los Angeles Police Department, 115 of 240 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roberto Carlos Sanchez's cause is highlighted.
How Roberto Carlos Sanchez Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roberto Carlos Sanchez is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roberto Carlos Sanchez was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
239 officers from Los Angeles Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
