Burnsville Detective Natalie Sandifer Named 2025 Officer of the Year
Published: January 27, 2026.
Provided by the City of Burnsville.
BURNSVILEE, MINNESOTA — The Burnsville Police Department has named Detective Natalie Sandifer as its 2025 Officer of the Year, recognizing her exceptional dedication, investigative excellence, and unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in cases involving some of the community’s most vulnerable residents: children.
Detective Sandifer was nominated by her peers for her work ethic, compassion, persistence, and professionalism in handling complex and emotionally challenging cases. According to the department, she has distinguished herself through her tireless efforts to seek justice for victims of serious crimes, often going above and beyond the expectations of her role.
Sandifer began her career with the Burnsville Police Department as a Community Service Officer in February 2016 and was promoted to Police Officer in May 2017. In 2025, she particularly excelled in investigations involving crimes against children, becoming a leading figure within the department for cases involving juvenile victims. Her persistence in these investigations has led to numerous predatory offenders being arrested, criminally charged, and convicted, reflecting the long-term impact of her work on community safety.
The department noted that Detective Sandifer has served as the lead detective on multiple criminal sexual conduct cases involving juvenile victims, establishing herself as one of the department’s most trusted investigators in these highly sensitive cases. Her reputation for thoroughness and professionalism has extended beyond the department. Dakota County Child Protection Services (CPS) now contacts Detective Sandifer directly to request her assistance, citing the strong professional relationships she has built and their confidence in her ability to handle cases with diligence and care.
As a direct result of her investigations in 2025, multiple individuals were charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct offenses in both the 1st and 2nd Degree, underscoring the tangible outcomes of her work for victims and the broader community.
Beyond crimes against children, Detective Sandifer has also played a critical role in major violent crime investigations. Over the past two years, she has served as the lead detective on two homicide cases in Burnsville. These investigations involved extensive video surveillance review, the execution of numerous search warrants, and countless interviews with witnesses and persons of interest. Department officials noted that she followed up on every possible lead developed by both Burnsville officers and outside agencies, often personally tracking down witnesses to ensure no detail was overlooked.
Despite the complexity and emotional toll of these cases, Sandifer also served as the primary point of contact for victims’ families, providing consistent communication, compassion, and support to those who had lost loved ones. The department emphasized her ability to balance investigative rigor with empathy, describing her approach as both professional and deeply human.
One of her colleagues summarized her impact with a powerful endorsement, stating that if something were to happen to one of their own loved ones, they would hope to have a detective like Sandifer leading the investigation. The partner described her as embodying “valor, honor, persistence, and merit every day,” adding that Burnsville's citizens are fortunate to have her serving their community.
The recognition of Detective Natalie Sandifer as the 2025 Officer of the Year highlights not only her professional achievements but also the profound trust placed in her by victims, families, partner agencies, and fellow officers. Her work continues to play a critical role in protecting Burnsville’s most vulnerable residents and strengthening public trust in local law enforcement.
