Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Frank Sjolander was shot and killed as he and another officer searched for possible robbery suspects at a boarding house at 124 Arno Street SE in Albuquerque. The other officer had located a vehicle believed to be used in the robberies and called Officer Sjolander for assistance. As the two officers entered the boarding house, two suspects, both 21, came out and opened fire on them, striking Officer Sjolander four times and the other officer five times. Both were able to return fire, fatally wounding one of the suspects. Officer Sjolander was transported to Bernanillo County-Indian Hospital, where he died 45 minutes later. The other officer survived his gunshot wounds to his arm, leg, and back. The bullet to his back was never able to be removed. The second suspect escaped but was apprehended three days later at the Rio Grande River near Isleta Pueblo. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life but was paroled on April 21, 1966. Officer Sjolander was a United States Navy Reserve WWII veteran and had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for 13 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-4363EDCB- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Sjolander gave the Albuquerque Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frank A. Sjolander, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Frank A. Sjolander, Jr. 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Albuquerque Police Department, 13 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 86.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Frank A. Sjolander, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank A. Sjolander, Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank A. Sjolander, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Albuquerque Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
