A Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 Tuesday evening, authorities confirmed. Sergeant Joseph Schlattman, a veteran of the department, died after being shot while attempting to make a traffic stop.
The shooting occurred in the East Mountains area of I-40, according to multiple reports. Details remain limited as the investigation unfolds, but the incident prompted a large law enforcement response and a temporary closure of the interstate.
KRQE News reported that the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the sergeant’s death. Albuquerque Journal also reported on the incident, noting the ongoing investigation.
ABQ RAW reported that Schlattman was shot during the traffic stop. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are currently under investigation.
Authorities have not yet released information about a suspect or a motive. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as they become available.
The death of Sergeant Schlattman marks a significant loss for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the wider law enforcement community. The incident underscores the inherent risks faced by officers during routine traffic stops.
