Deputy Sandberg's daughter: He was so proud to serve Aitkin community

AITKIN, Minn. (KMSP) - It's been an extremely difficult past few days for the family of Aitkin County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Sandberg who was killed while guarding a patient at the St. Cloud Hospital over the weekend.  

His only child Cassie Sandberg, 19, shared her father's story to Fox 9. The family says they're getting through all this because of their faith in God and the outpouring of support from the Aitkin community.

“He loved how tight knit of a community Aitkin was,” Cassie said.  “And he always told me to remember where I came from, and remember the people who helped me get to where I am today.”

Almost everywhere you look in Aitkin there are symbols of grief because the community is still processing a tremendous loss.

“I want everyone to know my dad was so proud to do his job and serve his entire community,” Cassie said.

Cassie is a junior at Minnesota State University Moorehead and was forced to leave school after hearing of her father's death.  

“I refer to him as my best friend. We went on adventures; we'd go on long walks. I'd tell him everything,” Cassie said. “We're trying to be strong. I know that he is so proud of us in that.”

After an emotional tribute and candle light vigil for Sandberg, there is still a funeral to attend on Friday.

“We are completely in awe by the outpouring of love and support that we felt from our community, our state, and from around the entire nation,” Cassie said.