Felecia Sanderson Press Conference

Lodge Number 1, Faternal Order of Police, February 23, 1998; 4:00pm.

Green Springs Highway, Birmingham, Alabama.

My name is Felecia Sanderson. As you know, my husband was senselessly murdered in the clinic bombing on Jan. 28th of this year.

If there is only one thing to be accomplished by my talking with the press, I hope that I will be able to convince the media to display Rudolph’s picture more often and for longer periods of time. When he comes out from the rock he has been hiding under, I want everyone in the United States to recognize him. I understand that he is just a suspect, but he is the best chance we have of solving my husband’s murder.

The ATF, FBI, and other law enforcement members have worked so hard to solve this case. There is no doubt that the person who did this will be captured because of the relentless effort being made by the legal system.

I would like to tell you about my husband. We were very much in love and had a wonderful marriage. Even though he was in the habit of performing great deeds of kindness, he was very humble. For example, there was a child he met and started talking with. It turns out that the boy had cancer. Sande stayed with this child he had just met through his chemotherapy. Several months later, I found a commendation for his act of kindness. Sande had told me about the child, but was so humble he had not even mentioned the commendation.

He loved children most, but was always willing to help people of any age. Sandy worked for several charities, including The Children’s Hospital, The Diabetes Foundation, Boys and Girls ranch, American Cancer Society, The Heart Foundation, and worked with the elderly in Southtown projects.

One time, Sande actually took his coat off and gave it to someone sitting on a bench in Southtown projects. He just said that the guy needed it more than he did. After his death, I have had so many people write cards telling me of deeds that I did not even know about.

He was nominated for officer of the year several times. He never received the award because it required a letter from the person nominated. Sande said that he didn’t want any recognition for his acts, he just did them because he wanted to.

As many of you know, he was one of the Olympic torch bearers. This honor was given to him because of his extensive community service.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the entire community for the support and respect I have been shown. The day of the funeral, I remember seeing people standing outside their cars with their hand over their hearts. Many of these people didn’t even know Sande, but they took the time to stand out in the cold and rain to show their respect. Most of the time people don’t even stop for a funeral. These people took the time to not only stop, but they got out of their cars and stood in the rain.

The Mt. Olive community has brought food by. My friends, family, and neighbors have been with me every step of the way.

Thank you to Chief Coppage for helping to secure the benefits that Sande left to me and the rest of our family. Thank you to the FOP, especially Chaplins Al Eason and Bob Cornelius. The Birmingham Police Department has treated me like family.

Tim Gunning was like a brother to Sande and was his best friend. Tim was in our wedding. His little boy is our godchild. It breaks my heart to know that my husband will not see him grow up.

Sande had always said that Tim should be the one to tell me if something bad happened to my husband. When I saw Tim step out of his car that morning, I knew that my husband was gone. Thank you, Tim, for being so kind to me. I know that we have both lost our best friend.

I feel a closeness and a connection with Emily Lyons. My prayer is that no harm will ever come to her again. She loves being a nurse, and I hope that she will soon be able to return to helping people.

I pray every night that God will keep Emily’s husband, Jeff, strong to take care of his wife. It is hard for Emily being separated from her children, who have been through so much. I know that Jeff’s love for his wife will go far toward getting her past this. Jeff and I talk with each other almost every day. I know that he will stay by her side.

In closing, I would like to ask the media once again to keep Eric Rudolph’s image fresh in everyone’s mind. I will have no peace until he is brought to justice.

Thank you