SERGEANT MICHAEL A. HENDRICKSON

BADGE 829, ID 1427 

01/21/1972 - 04/20/1991

11/1949 - 04/06/2026

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Retired SDPD Sergeant Mike Hendrickson passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, following a heart attack.

Mike was a solid friend, a patriot, and a true hero. He served in the USMC, then joined SDPD where he was a sergeant on the SWAT team for many years.

Mike was forced to retire from SDPD after sustaining a severe knee injury while helping to evacuate citizens and neutralize the suspect in the SWAT incident on Crandall Drive in 1981. SDPD officers Tiffany and Ebeltoft were senselessly killed when they were ambushed while responding to a call of a 415 between neighbors over a rose bush. 

After his retirement from SDPD, Mike spent many years working as an officer for the San Diego Unified Police department, mostly at Bell Junior High School and surrounding schools in Southeastern Division. Mike then moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to be near his brother Terry and other family.

"Just Mike" was an avid motorcycle rider, and rode with several veterans' groups, including several "All The Way" (from CA to DC) journeys with Run For The Wall, an organization which educates and advocates on behalf of our troops, our veterans, and for a full accounting of all POW-MIAs still missing in America's wars. Mike also continued to ride actively with local groups, family and friends.

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