Posted on 02/24/2026 2:08:18 AM PST by CedarDave
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office confirms one of its sergeants has died following a traffic stop on I-40 eastbound near Carnuel.
Sheriff John Allen identified Sergeant Michael Schlattman as the victim in the incident.
According to BCSO, Sergeant Schlattman called over the radio to advise he was conducting a traffic stop. While he was outside the vehicle, a semi truck struck the rear of his department issued vehicle, ultimately pinning him beneath.
Sergeant Schlattman died on scene as a result of his injuries.
Traffic impact and investigation
I-40 eastbound and westbound lanes are closed near Carnuel. Authorities advise avoiding the area and seeking an alternate route. As of 12:33 p.m., Sheriff John Allen said the interstate was still closed and would remain closed during the investigation.
Officials say there is no ongoing danger to the public.
The Rio Rancho Police Department is leading the investigation. Sheriff Allen said this would be done to prevent any bias.
Sergeant Michael Schlattman
About Sergeant Schlattman Sergeant Schlattman was hired by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office on April 16, 2012, and was promoted to Sergeant on July 13, 2024. During his career, he served the people of Bernalillo County in multiple assignments, including time as a detective in Special Investigations and Auto Theft, and as a task force officer with the United States Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
At the time of his death, Sergeant Schlattman was assigned as a Sergeant in the East Mountains.
BSCO says Sergeant Schlattman was the kind of leader deputies hope for and families trust. He was known for being present, involved, and relentless in his support of others. He was not a supervisor who stayed behind a desk. He was consistently out in the field, finding the work, backing his deputies, answering calls for service, and pushing to be proactive. He was the steady voice and the steady presence that made everyone around him better.
“This is every agency’s worst nightmare, and tonight it is ours,” said Sheriff John Allen. “Sergeant Schlattman was a servant leader and a protector in the truest sense. He was the kind of supervisor who never asked a deputy to do something he would not do himself. Our hearts are broken, and we are asking our community to carry this family, and this agency, in your prayers.”
No word on the legal status of the truck driver. However one witness was reported to have said he almost ran her off the road before he crashed.
NM list PING!
A link to a second article where a NMSP officer was shot at doing a traffic stop near Vaughn on US-285. The article says it was near Fort Sumner, but MP-185 on US 285 is about 20 miles south of Vaughn.
Ping.
CC
Illegal truck driver?
Maybe “legal” truck driver who is illegal alien with commercial driver license someone paid someone off to give him working illegally long hours at low pay.
Becomes a story when they kill 3 or 4 people in an “accident” doing something incredibly stupid or maybe here when they kill a state police sargeant.
Driving through New Mexico is like driving on another planet...especially at night. Half the people are drunk, stoned, cartel, pachuco, alien aliens, democrats...you name it, they are out there. Be forewarned and armed.
We’re at war and the sad thing is that our previous president facilitated the entry of enemy troops and half the country sides with that enemy. Is it too late to stop this? I hope not.
Could this possibly be another incident involving one of the communist RATs’ “Punjab Truckers”? IF so, whoever issued that CDL needs to be arrested for assessory to murder.
Don’t forget the “skinwalkers”. Yikes!
Very sorry to hear this.
Was the truck driver wearing a turban?

Line of Duty Death ping.
FReepmail me to be added to the Line of Duty Death ping list.
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