BCSO Sgt. Michael Schlattman killed after semi hits patrol vehicle on I-40

Sergeant Michael Schlattman, a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office sergeant assigned to the East Mountains, was killed after a semi-truck struck the rear of his department-issued patrol vehicle while he was conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near mile marker 170 at Carnuel late Monday afternoon. Authorities said Schlattman had radioed that he had initiated the stop and exited his patrol unit just before the collision, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rio Rancho Police Department is leading the crash investigation to avoid any appearance of partiality, Sheriff John Allen confirmed, saying the department would take the lead "to prevent any bias." Investigators from Rio Rancho PD and BCSO were reviewing dash-cam footage from the patrol vehicle as part of the probe, and multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene when investigators shut down I-40 to process evidence.

Schlattman was hired by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office on April 16, 2012, and promoted to sergeant on July 13, 2024. His assignments included work as a Special Investigations detective, an Auto Theft detective, and task force assignments with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to agency statements and reporting. BCSO spokesperson Jayme Gonzales emailed that "The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is heartbroken to confirm that one of our sergeants was killed in the line of duty this evening," and said memorial service information will be released when Schlattman’s family is ready.

Multiple people were treated for injuries at the University of New Mexico Hospital following the crash, including the semi-truck driver, officials said. Local reporting noted uncertainty about whether the semi-truck driver remained hospitalized; one outlet reported it was unclear if the driver had been released. Sheriff Allen described "a couple people" were injured in the incident during his remarks to reporters.

Traffic on I-40 in the Carnuel area was fully closed while crews investigated and processed the scene. Traffic reports and outlets said lanes reopened in phases early Tuesday morning; one report stated eastbound lanes were open while a separate report said all westbound lanes reopened around 6:55 a.m. Another outlet noted one westbound lane opened Tuesday morning, reflecting minute-by-minute differences in reopening reports.

Late Monday night a procession honoring Sgt. Schlattman traveled along I-40 to the Office of the Medical Investigator, and BCSO held a press conference shortly after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday to formally identify him and provide additional details. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety released a statement expressing condolences, saying in part, "I am heartbroken by the line-of-duty death of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Michael Schlattman. Sergeant Schlattman served his community with courage, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. On behalf of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, I extend our deepest condolences to Sergeant Schlattman’s family, his fellow deputies, Sheriff Allen, and everyone at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. We stand with you in grief and in support during this painful time. We ask all New Mexicans to keep Sergeant Schlattman’s loved ones and the BCSO family in their thoughts and prayers as they mourn this tremendous loss."

Officials cautioned that investigators have not released findings about fault, impairment, or cause beyond confirming Schlattman "died from his injuries," and they urged those seeking the latest lane status to consult NMDOT and Rio Rancho PD updates for confirmed reopening times.