Empire Deputy Chief Sandford was arrested in Arapahoe County for domestic violence and felony assault in connection to an incident involving Sandford’s wife that was reported Sept. 7.

Empire Police Chief Andrew Lorenz says Sandford was off-duty at the time of the alleged assault.

He has been fired for violating department policies, according to Lorenz.

Sandford was hired by Empire police in October of 2020 as a part-time reserve officer. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in late 2022, according to Lorenz.

He’d also worked with Idaho Springs Police Department from January 2021 to Dec. 17, 2022 when he left for the deputy chief job in Empire, according to Idaho Springs Police Chief Nathan Buseck.

A background check reveals Sandford had a criminal history before being hired as an officer in both Empire and Idaho Springs.

Court records show Sandford has several past convictions for trespassing,  assault, DWAI (driving while ability impaired), disorderly conduct and third degree assault.

All of these charges occurred before he was hired at Empire and Idaho Springs, according to charging documents.

Both Lorenz and Buseck say Sandford was hired by the police chief preceding them.