This tree is dedicated to
The life and service of
K-9 Officer
Christopher Michael Sanderson
#435
Nemo me impune Lacessit.
Sept. 11, 1985 - Mar. 4, 2017
From The Daily News - Galveston County:
(
visit link) March 6, 2017
Christopher Michael Sanderson
On March 4, 2017 Officer Christopher Michael Sanderson, 31, passed away surrounded by family and friends. Officer Sanderson graciously dedicated over 10 years to the Galveston Police Department spending seven of those years with his faithful and beloved K-9 partner Abba. He was born September 11, 1985 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, TX to his beloved parents Robert and Barbara Sanderson.
Officer Sanderson during the course of his honorable career was awarded Life Saving Award (2010), Officer of the Year (2008 & 2016), Marine Dive Team Unit Commendation, Hurricane Rita Commendation, Certified Field Training Officer, Certified Firearms Instructor, Certified Basic TCOLE instructor, Certified Master Diver, Certified Master Peace Officer and Certified Master Underwater Criminal Investigator. He was a member of the Galveston Police Department Marine Dive Division, Galveston Police Department Special Response Group and the Galveston Police Department Honor Guard.
Officer Sanderson’s most proud accomplishment was his assignment to the Galveston Police Department K-9 Division. To know Chris is to know that what Abba meant to him. Even during his final days Officer Sanderson was advocating for the Galveston Police Department K-9 Division. It was not only his passion but was his way of life.
Officer Sanderson is preceded in death by his grandfather’s Oscar T. Ekelund Jr. and Robert L Sanderson Sr.; his grandmother Norma Jamison and Uncle Charles Ekelund; along with his beloved Furry Friend Beth Sanderson.
As a child Christopher played Little League Baseball, Soccer and was an award winning swimmer. Christopher graduated from Ball High School in 2004. He worked with the Galveston Beach Patrol and the City of Galveston Jail.
He is survived by his parents Robert and Barbara Sanderson Jr, brother Robert Lee Sanderson III and Rachel, grandmothers Joyce K Ekelund and Shirley Sanderson, Uncle Jimmie and Aunt Mary Gillane, Uncle Timothy and Aunt Laura Ryan, Uncle Matt Stanich, Aunt Gloria and Uncle Stewart Carroll, Godparents Roland Vassallo and Theresa Boysen, Great Uncle George and Carol Kaiser, Great Aunt Bernice Klyng, Cousins Joseph and Daniel Gillane and Nicholas Ryan and David Carroll, Stephen Carroll, Lauren and Josh Savage, Samuel Carroll, Ashley Jones and God Child Hunter Haupt, his four legged children Lucy, Speckled Trout and Ms Kitty, and numerous other extended family and friends.
Officer Sanderson was the type of man that to become friends with him you became family. A special thank you to MD Anderson staff and DaVita staff. A very special thank you to Dr. Robert Benjamin, Dr. Abdul Abdellatif, Sue Madsen, Christy Posey, Gayle Leighton, Debra Folmar, Misty Cummings, Joe Ellis, Alicia Olguin and all the caring staff, as well as the Slumber Party Crew Mom, Bobby III, Rachel, Adrian and Catherine Healy, Mary and Jimmie Gillane, Scott Hirst, Phillip Molis, Bianca Haupt and Marylin Haupt.
Christopher personally wanted to thank the City of Galveston, Galveston Police Department and Galveston Parks and Recreation Department for their unwavering support system for not only him but to the family as well.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017 at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at First Lutheran Church, with Reverend Richard Rhoades officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Adrian Healy, Scott Hirst, Phillip Molis, Jose Santos, Brittney Dipuccio, Robert Pike, Evan Fraley, Eddie Eguis, Greg Cagle (Honorary), Brian Maxwell (Honorary), Dan Buckley (Honorary), David Smith (Honorary), Past and Present Galveston Police Officers (Honorary), Galveston EMS (Honorary), Galveston Fire Department (Honorary), Galveston Parks and Recreation Department (Honorary)
The family request in lieu of flowers please send donation in Officer Sanderson’s name to Galveston Police Memorial Foundation (K9) 601 54th St, Galveston Tx 77551 or First Lutheran Church 2415 Winnie St, Galveston Tx 77550.
From Blue Lives Matter (
visit link)
Galveston Officer Christopher Sanderson Dies
Galveston, TX – Galveston K9 Officer Christopher Sanderson, age 31, died on Saturday, after a courageous and hard-fought battle against cancer.
According to The Daily News, Officer Sanderson was surrounded by family and friends when he died. He was born in 1985, and had served over 10 years with the Galveston Police Department. He had been assigned to the K9 division for the past seven years, serving with his faithful partner K9 Abba.
He received many awards during his career, including the LifeSaving Award in 2010 and Officer of the Year in 2008 and 2016, He was a certified master diver, was a member of the Galveston PD Honor Guard, had received various commendations, and was an Instructor.
The accomplishment that meant the most to Officer Sanderson by his own admission was his assignment to the K9 unit. He continued to advocate for the GPD K9 division during his final days. He previously worked for the Galveston Beach Patrol and the City of Galveston Jail.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Galveston Police Officer Christopher Sanderson, both blood and blue.