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Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr. | North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina

Trooper

David Shawn Blanton, Jr.

North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina

End of Watch: Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 24

Tour: 2 years

Badge # G-540

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 6/17/2008

Weapon: Gun; Unknown type

Suspect: Convicted of first degree murder

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Trooper David Blanton was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on I-40 near Canton, North Carolina. A struggle ensued during the stop and he was fatally shot.

The suspect took Trooper Blanton's service weapon and fled the scene. He was apprehended a short time later by deputies from the Haywood County Sheriff's Office and officers from the Canton Police Department. He was subsequently charged with capital murder. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder on October 14, 2010 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Trooper Blanton had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 2 years and had previously served as a dispatcher for the Cherokee Tribal Police Department. Trooper Blanton was the first enrolled member of the eastern band of the Cherokee Tribe to be a North Carolina Trooper, and he served with Troop "G", District 5 in Waynesville. The North Carolina Department of Transportation named a bridge on Interstate 40 near Canton, NC in honor of Trooper Blanton. He is survived by his wife and 2-week-old son, and his mother.

Trooper Blanton's son, Tye, passed away in October 2008 at the age of 4 months.

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My wife and I were honored to visit and remember my Brother at his roadside memorial on I-40 this past Thursday. We will never forget!

Rest in Peace Trooper Blanton (G-540)

Sergeant Ricky Parks
Rocky Mount Police Department, NC.
April 20, 2013

 

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