Suspect Charged, Not Under Arrest When He Killed Aitkin Co. Deputy

The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office says the man who fatally shot and killed an Aitkin County Deputy on Sunday at a St. Cloud Hospital was not under arrest at the time. 

Authorities say they planned to arrest 50-year-old Danny Hammond once he was released from the hospital. 

Police say that Hammond attempted suicide and was airlifted to the hospital for treatment.   Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner said that a suspect’s need for treatment takes priority over an arrest. 

Hammond was charged last week with several felonies, including kidnapping and terrorizing his wife after holding her at gunpoint and threatening to kill her when she told him she was leaving him. 

Hammond was not in handcuffs on Sunday when he got out of bed around 5:15 in the morning and engaged in an altercation with Deputy Steven Sandberg.  He took Sandberg’s gun and shot him, killing the officer. 

Hammond died after being subdued with a stun gun. 

Deputy Sandberg’s funeral will be held Friday at Aitkin High School at 11 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. 

A burial service will take place at Bennettville Cemetery following the funeral. 

Sandberg leaves behind a wife and a daughter.