Mayor Recognizes Detective Battling Cancer

March 12, 2010

Geri Sanders has dedicated her life to being a hero for children.

As a 15-year-member of the Albuquerque Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit, Sanders has investigated some of the worst crimes the city has seen. She has seen a baby starved to death, witness autopsies of children, and interviewed suspects who have done the unthinkable to youth.

Now, it’s time for the city to be a hero for her.

Last year Sanders was diagnosed with terminal cancer. So, on Friday, Mayor Richard J. Berry honored Sanders as this week’s Friday’s Hero. Each week the mayor gives the award to one public safety employee who has gone above the call of duty. Geri's sister, Lillie Allen, and brother, Gregg Sanders, a Fresno Police Officer, accepted the Police Chief’s Challenge Coin on her behalf. Due to her illness Sanders was unable to accept to award in person.

“To say Detective Sanders has gone above the call of duty is an understatement,” Mayor Berry said. “She has been a hero to so many children. I am honored to be her mayor and to have this opportunity to recognize the impact she has had on our community.”

Sanders is the longest serving detective in the history of the Crimes Against Children Unit. She joined the police department 19 years ago. Recently Sanders left the unit after she was diagnosed with cancer. She still continued to work in APD’s Crime Stoppers unit even though her diagnosis was grim. For several weeks she has been flying to Chicago to receive chemotherapy treatments.

On Wednesday Sanders returned home to Albuquerque after one of her many trips. Doctors say she may not have long to live. When she arrived at the Sunport she was greeted by 200 police officers who worked with her over the years.

“Geri was the voice of many children who were the victims of unthinkable crimes,” said Public Safety Director Darren White, who worked with Sanders when he was a sergeant in the unit years ago. “We all owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.”