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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 a.m., 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.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Steven is the only officer of Aitkin County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Steven is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 2015, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2015, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 60. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Steven had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Steven was 60. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.2% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Sundays: 12.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Aitkin County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Aitkin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.