Sgt. Jeffery Shaw Laid To Rest
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Sgt. Jeffery Shaw Laid To Rest
By Jen [email protected]
"A husband was with his wife, a father was with his kids, a man was with his friends and a community was at peace. In an instant it changed," said Pastor Denny Wilson Tuesday morning at Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Shaw's funeral.[[In-content Ad]]More than a thousand people gathered at Warsaw Community Church Tuesday to bid farewell to Shaw, who was killed Thursday afternoon in an accident on Ind. 14 near Silver Lake.
Among those people were hundreds of Kosciusko County employees, firefighters, sheriff's deputies and representatives from law enforcement agencies throughout the state. In fact, there were so many law enforcement and public service representatives, it took nearly 20 minutes for them to file into the church to begin the funeral ceremony while Winona Lake Patrolman Brad Keller sang and Merrillville Police Officer Nathan Shrock played the piano.
"We are here to celebrate (Jeff's) life and all that he stood for," Wilson said once everyone was seated.
Then Sheriff Rocky Goshert and former Sheriff Al Rovenstine stepped to the podium to say a few words.
"I got to know Jeff in April 2001," Goshert said. "He was very quiet ... but he took me under his wing. He was a great teacher."
That quiet, even temperament helped Shaw advance to his position as sergeant of second shift.
"There are a lot of young guys on second shift," Goshert said. "And Jeff was a balancing act. He had years of experience, and was even-tempered. ...
"He was one of the most loyal, responsible, professional people I have ever met, whatever he did."
Goshert then addressed Shaw's family.
"Angie, he loved you deeply," Goshert said, adding that Shaw loved spending time with his children and talked about them all the time. "When he talked about you guys, his eyes lit up."
Goshert said Shaw cared about the department and his heart was always in the right spot.
"What an honor it was to know Jeff," Goshert said.
Then former Sheriff Al Rovenstine spoke about the fallen officer, who was born three months early and always dreamed of becoming a police officer.
"Jeff was born to Beverly and Orlie Shaw on July 20, 1969. He was born three months early and weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces. He was raised on the family farm in Atwood with his sister Billijo. Jeff was born on the same day that the first man, Neil Armstrong, walked on the moon. His Grandpa Skees called him 'Little Eagle' and his mom and dad called him 'Punk.' This is where the nickname 'Uncle Punk' came from. ...
"From the time he was a little boy, his dream was to become a police officer," Rovenstine said.
Rovenstine also told how Shaw had become a Mason last October, following in his grandfather's footsteps.
"He will always be that little neighbor boy to me," Rovenstine said. "He had three great traits: family, community and the desire to help people. ...
"Jeff was extremely proud of serving Kosciusko County as a deputy. He considered all fellow deputies as his brothers. He was a loyal husband and friend and the most dedicated and doting father. Now it's time to say goodbye to Uncle Punk as the Eagle has landed."
After Keller sang "Amazing Grace, The Policeman's Tribute," Wilson talked about Shaw.
"This is a loss for the whole community," Wilson said, adding that he has a lot of respect for police officers. "You officers spend your lives trying to keep the rest of us safe."
The two words Wilson used to describe the loss of Shaw were "honor" and "brokenness."
"It doesn't seem fair, or right, or true," Wilson said. "But this reminds us that behind that badge and uniform, there is still a mere mortal."
After the service concluded, officers filed out of the sanctuary and gathered around the flagpole outside, waiting for Shaw's flag-draped casket to be taken from the church. As the pall bearers carried it out, bagpipes played and all officers present saluted.
The funeral procession, which included police cars and other emergency vehicles, wound out Country Club Road and made its way to the front of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, where the hearse stopped in front of the memorial set up for Shaw. As the procession paused, the final "10-42/End of Duty" announcement was made on the KCSD Dispatch Repeater Channel.
Citizens lined the streets as the procession passed, men taking off their hats, and many putting their hands to their hearts. Children from Warsaw Christian School and Madison Elementary School stood along the route and waved flags, saying their final farewell to the officer.
Once at Oakwood Cemetery, officers again saluted their fallen comrade and passed by his casket, each laying a single white carnation with a red spot in the middle on top. Shaw wife and children also laid different-colored carnations atop the casket.
A 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps" finished the ceremony, and Shaw was laid to rest.
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"A husband was with his wife, a father was with his kids, a man was with his friends and a community was at peace. In an instant it changed," said Pastor Denny Wilson Tuesday morning at Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Shaw's funeral.[[In-content Ad]]More than a thousand people gathered at Warsaw Community Church Tuesday to bid farewell to Shaw, who was killed Thursday afternoon in an accident on Ind. 14 near Silver Lake.
Among those people were hundreds of Kosciusko County employees, firefighters, sheriff's deputies and representatives from law enforcement agencies throughout the state. In fact, there were so many law enforcement and public service representatives, it took nearly 20 minutes for them to file into the church to begin the funeral ceremony while Winona Lake Patrolman Brad Keller sang and Merrillville Police Officer Nathan Shrock played the piano.
"We are here to celebrate (Jeff's) life and all that he stood for," Wilson said once everyone was seated.
Then Sheriff Rocky Goshert and former Sheriff Al Rovenstine stepped to the podium to say a few words.
"I got to know Jeff in April 2001," Goshert said. "He was very quiet ... but he took me under his wing. He was a great teacher."
That quiet, even temperament helped Shaw advance to his position as sergeant of second shift.
"There are a lot of young guys on second shift," Goshert said. "And Jeff was a balancing act. He had years of experience, and was even-tempered. ...
"He was one of the most loyal, responsible, professional people I have ever met, whatever he did."
Goshert then addressed Shaw's family.
"Angie, he loved you deeply," Goshert said, adding that Shaw loved spending time with his children and talked about them all the time. "When he talked about you guys, his eyes lit up."
Goshert said Shaw cared about the department and his heart was always in the right spot.
"What an honor it was to know Jeff," Goshert said.
Then former Sheriff Al Rovenstine spoke about the fallen officer, who was born three months early and always dreamed of becoming a police officer.
"Jeff was born to Beverly and Orlie Shaw on July 20, 1969. He was born three months early and weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces. He was raised on the family farm in Atwood with his sister Billijo. Jeff was born on the same day that the first man, Neil Armstrong, walked on the moon. His Grandpa Skees called him 'Little Eagle' and his mom and dad called him 'Punk.' This is where the nickname 'Uncle Punk' came from. ...
"From the time he was a little boy, his dream was to become a police officer," Rovenstine said.
Rovenstine also told how Shaw had become a Mason last October, following in his grandfather's footsteps.
"He will always be that little neighbor boy to me," Rovenstine said. "He had three great traits: family, community and the desire to help people. ...
"Jeff was extremely proud of serving Kosciusko County as a deputy. He considered all fellow deputies as his brothers. He was a loyal husband and friend and the most dedicated and doting father. Now it's time to say goodbye to Uncle Punk as the Eagle has landed."
After Keller sang "Amazing Grace, The Policeman's Tribute," Wilson talked about Shaw.
"This is a loss for the whole community," Wilson said, adding that he has a lot of respect for police officers. "You officers spend your lives trying to keep the rest of us safe."
The two words Wilson used to describe the loss of Shaw were "honor" and "brokenness."
"It doesn't seem fair, or right, or true," Wilson said. "But this reminds us that behind that badge and uniform, there is still a mere mortal."
After the service concluded, officers filed out of the sanctuary and gathered around the flagpole outside, waiting for Shaw's flag-draped casket to be taken from the church. As the pall bearers carried it out, bagpipes played and all officers present saluted.
The funeral procession, which included police cars and other emergency vehicles, wound out Country Club Road and made its way to the front of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, where the hearse stopped in front of the memorial set up for Shaw. As the procession paused, the final "10-42/End of Duty" announcement was made on the KCSD Dispatch Repeater Channel.
Citizens lined the streets as the procession passed, men taking off their hats, and many putting their hands to their hearts. Children from Warsaw Christian School and Madison Elementary School stood along the route and waved flags, saying their final farewell to the officer.
Once at Oakwood Cemetery, officers again saluted their fallen comrade and passed by his casket, each laying a single white carnation with a red spot in the middle on top. Shaw wife and children also laid different-colored carnations atop the casket.
A 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps" finished the ceremony, and Shaw was laid to rest.
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