Locals Off To D.C. To Memorialize Fallen Officer
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Locals Off To D.C. To Memorialize Fallen Officer
By Jen [email protected]
Shaw, who was killed in an accident while on duty Nov. 12, 2009, is being honored this week with other fallen officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
According to www.nleomf.org, "The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation's monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty."
The 304-foot-long curved memorial wall was dedicated Oct. 15, 1991. Made of marble, the names of more than 18,600 fallen officers are engraved on its blue-gray wall. New names of fallen officers are added to the wall each spring during National Police Week.[[In-content Ad]]Shaw's name is now engraved on the memorial, and his family and several of his fellow officers are making the trip for the honor.
Shaw's widow Angie and their children Nickolas and Isabella will be accompanied by Jeff's brother Chris Shaw, who is a reserve officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Todd Sautter, who is Jeff's brother-in-law.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert and officers Chris Rager, Mike Mulligan, Shane Bucher, Chris McKeand, Matt Rapp, Don McCune, Rock Shepherd, Josh Spangle, Jon Tyler, James Marshall and reserve officer Jason Trammell also will make the trip. Several officers' wives also will make the trip to support Angie and their husbands during the emotional time.
Five squad cars from the department also will be taken on the trip along with several civilian vehicles.
"It brings back all the emotions (of Jeff's death)," Angie said this morning before the caravan left for the nation's capital. "It shows how much the sheriff's department cares, that these guys are taking the time to go out there with me. It shows how much they all loved him."
Rager said that the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is like a family, which made it important for many of the officers to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C.
"I'm glad I can go (to Washington, D.C.), it's part of the grieving process," Rager said. "It will be hard when we get there, there will be all the same emotions and same hurting hearts. We'll be there with people going through the same thing."
Angie said the trip will be emotional, but it will be comforting to be around people who are experiencing the same thing.
"To hear everyone else's story, and know that everyone else is going through will be good," Angie said. "It's good to know there are others dealing with the same things I have been dealing with."
Goshert said that while the trip will be difficult for those who loved Jeff, it will bring closure for them as well.
"This trip will put some closure on Jeff's death," Goshert said. "Obviously Jeff Shaw will never be forgotten, but this will help with closure."
Goshert and Angie will attend a luncheon for families of officers killed in the last year Thursday.
Then on Friday, all those in attendance will participate in a candlelight service, and Saturday will be the unveiling of Shaw's name on the wall.
"It will be a tough three days down there, and it will be especially difficult for Angie and the kids," Goshert said.
"I am so thankful to live in a community that is so supportive," Angie said. "The sheriff has taken his time to help me with anything I have needed, he's really been there for me. If he can't help, then one of the other guys will step in and help. It has been amazing."
While the officers are gone, police coverage in the county will not be hampered. Many officers have volunteered to work 12-hour shifts, and several officers from agencies within the county will fill in where they are needed.
"There will be no decrease in coverage for the four days the officers are gone," said Hill.
For more information on the memorial or police week activities, visit www.nleomf.org
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Shaw, who was killed in an accident while on duty Nov. 12, 2009, is being honored this week with other fallen officers at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
According to www.nleomf.org, "The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation's monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty."
The 304-foot-long curved memorial wall was dedicated Oct. 15, 1991. Made of marble, the names of more than 18,600 fallen officers are engraved on its blue-gray wall. New names of fallen officers are added to the wall each spring during National Police Week.[[In-content Ad]]Shaw's name is now engraved on the memorial, and his family and several of his fellow officers are making the trip for the honor.
Shaw's widow Angie and their children Nickolas and Isabella will be accompanied by Jeff's brother Chris Shaw, who is a reserve officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Todd Sautter, who is Jeff's brother-in-law.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert and officers Chris Rager, Mike Mulligan, Shane Bucher, Chris McKeand, Matt Rapp, Don McCune, Rock Shepherd, Josh Spangle, Jon Tyler, James Marshall and reserve officer Jason Trammell also will make the trip. Several officers' wives also will make the trip to support Angie and their husbands during the emotional time.
Five squad cars from the department also will be taken on the trip along with several civilian vehicles.
"It brings back all the emotions (of Jeff's death)," Angie said this morning before the caravan left for the nation's capital. "It shows how much the sheriff's department cares, that these guys are taking the time to go out there with me. It shows how much they all loved him."
Rager said that the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is like a family, which made it important for many of the officers to attend the ceremony in Washington, D.C.
"I'm glad I can go (to Washington, D.C.), it's part of the grieving process," Rager said. "It will be hard when we get there, there will be all the same emotions and same hurting hearts. We'll be there with people going through the same thing."
Angie said the trip will be emotional, but it will be comforting to be around people who are experiencing the same thing.
"To hear everyone else's story, and know that everyone else is going through will be good," Angie said. "It's good to know there are others dealing with the same things I have been dealing with."
Goshert said that while the trip will be difficult for those who loved Jeff, it will bring closure for them as well.
"This trip will put some closure on Jeff's death," Goshert said. "Obviously Jeff Shaw will never be forgotten, but this will help with closure."
Goshert and Angie will attend a luncheon for families of officers killed in the last year Thursday.
Then on Friday, all those in attendance will participate in a candlelight service, and Saturday will be the unveiling of Shaw's name on the wall.
"It will be a tough three days down there, and it will be especially difficult for Angie and the kids," Goshert said.
"I am so thankful to live in a community that is so supportive," Angie said. "The sheriff has taken his time to help me with anything I have needed, he's really been there for me. If he can't help, then one of the other guys will step in and help. It has been amazing."
While the officers are gone, police coverage in the county will not be hampered. Many officers have volunteered to work 12-hour shifts, and several officers from agencies within the county will fill in where they are needed.
"There will be no decrease in coverage for the four days the officers are gone," said Hill.
For more information on the memorial or police week activities, visit www.nleomf.org
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