Roger G. Sanders

Washington State Department of Corrections — Olympia, WA

Felonious

End of Watch September 1, 1978

Age 40

The Vigil Panel 120 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Lieutenant Roger Sanders succumbed to injuries sustained on August 11th, 1978, when a pipebomb exploded in Washington State Penitentiary's Department of Education building in Walla Walla. Officers found the pipe bomb during a routine shakedown and moved it to a control room. It detonated as Lieutenant Sanders attempted to open one of the end caps. Lieutenant Sanders lost both hands and suffered serious injuries to his stomach. Two other officers were also injured. Lieutenant Sanders was transported to a local hospital where he died on September 1st, 1978. The bomb had been made and placed at the location by prisoners. Two inmates, a rapist and a murderer, escaped after the explosion but officials did not think they were related to it. No one was ever held responsible.

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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.
Lieutenant Sanders served with the Washington State Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Sanders.

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

Agency

Department Washington State Department of Corrections

Location Olympia, WA

Platform Identity wsdcorr.thurston.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 1, 1978

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Explosives; Bomb

Offender At large

Lieutenant Roger G. Sanders 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washington State Department of Corrections, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.

Washington State Department of Corrections

of 11 officers

54.5% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious