PUEBLO — Colorado law enforcement and the public gathered in Pueblo Monday morning to honor the life and legacy of Parole Officer Christine Guerin Sandoval at Praise Assembly of God Church.
Sandoval was struck and killed in the line of duty while working with two other officers to serve arrest warrants on a parolee in Colorado Springs late last month.
Pastor Steve Chavez of the Praise Assembly of God Church was the first to speak and opened with the sentiment that "Christine lived a good life, she served well."
"I told the family on that day. I don't know how, and I don't know where, and I don't know when, but somehow, good is going to come out of this. Christine lived a wonderful life. She served well. Sometimes in this broken world, things happen that we just don't understand," Chavez continued.
The Blue Rose Ceremony was held where uniformed officers took turns putting blue-tipped roses in pots on either side of Sandoval's coffin and saluting as they walked by her remains.
Lieutenant Harry Campbell, before the ceremony began, reiterated, "When the blue line suffers a loss... it is critical that peace officers come together."
Pastor Steve Chavez spoke again to thank all of the officers in the room for what they do for the community. He then welcomed up Sandoval's sister Stacy, friend Dacity and partner at parole, Danielle Martinez.
Sandoval's sister Stacy was tearful during her speech and recalled, "she was my sister, a wonderful mother, a wife, a daughter and had a heart of gold. She lived a hard life and worked a hard job. But with tears in her eyes, she always made it through. She always made sure her kids were okay and I was okay."
Sandoval's friend Dacity remarked that, "Christine is not alone, she is celebrating in Heaven with her loved ones at her side."
Sandoval leaves behind her husband of 33 years and two children.
Sandoval's partner at parole, Danielle Martinez, affectionately said, "You were the best partner, I couldn't have asked for better."
Sandoval's friend Undersheriff Steve Bryant was next to speak and started by saying, "My attempts to describe Christine and what a great deputy she was, will not do her justice."
Officer Guerin Sandoval was a member of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office from 2007-2019. She was also awarded the 2018 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
"She has shown humanity to people some might say deserved none," said Bryant.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis was next to speak. He began by saying "Christine served all of us in many different roles...She gave her life as she lived, in service to Coloradans."
"We want to carry on her legacy and make sure the state of Colorado always remembers our lost hero, Christine Sandoval," said Polis.
Governor Polis's speech ended with him inviting Sandoval's family to receive the Colorado flag that had previously flown over the capitol.
After a brief sermon by Pastor Chavez, a video montage of photos of Sandoval and her loved ones was played.
After the video montage, Lieutenant Campbell came back up to explain the upcoming table ceremony. Before diving into the explanation, he shared a few words from Sandoval's friends and
coworkers.
"Christine loved her family, she loved being a cop, she loved being a parole officer," said Campbell.
Campbell then continued on the describe the significance of the objects on the tables on either side of Sandoval's coffin.
Afterward, officers on either side of the coffin gently lifted up the American flag that had been draped over it and held it up for everyone to see before folding it to the tune of "Taps".
The folded flag as well as a flag that had been on display on stage, were then passed from officer to officer before being presented to Sandoval's family.
The final call for Christine Guerin Sandoval was voiced over the sound system.
Once again the bagpipers began to play as a group of officers approached the stage. The officers gathered around the coffin and lifted it. The bagpipers began a new song as the officers carried the coffin out of the church.
The family followed closely behind and watched as the coffin was loaded into the back of a white hearse. After loading the coffin, the officers saluted towards the vehicle before exiting.
Those looking to provide financial assistance to Sandoval's next of kin can make a donation to the Colorado Fallen Officer Fund.
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