Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Correctional Officer Shannon Cuddington Smith

North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, North Carolina

End of Watch Tuesday, November 9, 1999

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Reflections for Correctional Officer Shannon Cuddington Smith

I don't know why today is any different from all the others, but I find it a little harder this morning to deal with the fact that I have to remember you for longer than I knew you. You were the big sister that every little girl needs to have. I have so many vivid memories of our antics and knowing that everyday whether you're here on Earth or not, you are still my super hero. You were, and still are, loved by so many people that knew you. All I can hope for is to be half the woman today that you've been to me my entire life. I love you and I miss you Shannon.

Thank you to everyone who has left a reflection on here. It's comforting to know that people haven't forgotten the life lost too soon.

Melda Brinchek
Shannon's Little Sister

March 7, 2023

I never knew this officer but she saved the lives of my children and myself one evening in 2000. It was very late at night and my children and I were heading home from my parents house. I had a 10 year old, a 4 year old and my 2 year old sleeping in their car seats. I was on my way home from spending the weekend with my parents and was very tired after having the kids all weekend and helping care for my parents. I passed the prison bridge going towards Selma and was falling asleep behind the wheel of my car. Right before I totally fell asleep a lady officer in uniform stepped out in front of my car signaling for me to stop. I was startled when I slowed down as I noticed she had disappeared in front of my eyes. But not before waking me up and keeping me from driving into or off of the bridge. It may sound impossible, but I am surely grateful that she stepped in front of my car that night. Every time I drive over that bridge I whisper thank you and smile. Thank you Shannon. ❤️

Shearae
Eternally grateful

December 9, 2021

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

November 9, 2019

Officer Smith,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of North Carolina. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement than that of a Corrections Officer.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 9, 2019

Rest in peace Correctional Officer Smith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 7, 2019

Rest In Peace Sister LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 9, 2018

Its been so long since you have been gone, and after all these years i still miss you. But this year i have you with me in a different way as well you have 3 grand kids now Henry age 7 and Nathan age 6, and Shannon age 1. I love you more than life and i always will and i know you have been playing with the kids because they saw a picture and knew you were grandma. I love you and have a blast with papa i know he is so very happy now. Im going for now but you will always be missed in every way, till we meet again...

courtney price
Daughtor

November 25, 2016

Rest in peace, and may you always be in everyone's heart, yes laura should have got life in prison. Its a shame a great how a ggret woman was taken, while someone like her illegal butt is still walking around like nothing. May you find peace in your heart, and I know your mom would be so proud of you Courtney.

anonymous
friend

November 16, 2013

Hey I have not wrote in a while, momma you would be so proud im in college and I have two beautiful boys of corce I know you already know. I have bought pas house so im home again and I sure do miss you both very much you will always be missed be me and many others I LOVE YOU!!!

Courtney C Price
Daughtor

August 16, 2013

RIP Sister, I am so sorry you were taken from us too soon. The memorial bridge is a fitting tribute to a fine officer, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Your brothers and sisters in blue have the watch from here.

Chief (RET) JA Millan
Avery Co. Schools Law Enforcement

June 23, 2011

Just wanted to say many of mothers days have went by and this is the hardest. i just got my first rose from my little man thats two and i am still thinking of you more everyday.


Happy mothers day mom!

courtney price
doughter

May 7, 2011

Hey momma i just wanted to say hello and to tell you even though you know but you now have two grandsons. We welcomed Nathan Wayne to our family 5-25-10. He looks just like henry and is 3 weeks old today. He waighed 7lsb 3oz, but now he waighs 7lbs 12oz. I see a lot of you in both of them. Im back in school and im planning to get my buissness licens when im done. I wish you could be here in person to hold your grandchildren but even though your not here in person i know your here in sprit. I think you for everything you have done and are doing. I hope my children will be able to say im the best like i say about you. Even though your not here your still #1 in my heart. I know you would cherrish your new addition to the family. Well momma we love you and i miss you!! Your son-in-law said he never got the pleasure to meet you but he knows he would have loved you. He also told me to write to you that he will never hurt me, he will always love me, and that he will never dissapoint you in any way. Well mamma we all love you and miss you and grandma sais she loves you and always will and she hopes you will wate for her at the gate with open arms. She sais she loves you aswell.....

Forever yours,

Courtney Price
Daughter

June 15, 2010

Hey mom i know you are a long way away but that ant going to stop my love for you. Henry looks more and more like you every day but i know you know that. I am fixen to have another baby and if its a girl she will take on your name as not just a memory but so she will know what a wonderful grandma she had. Yes Ms. Phyllis I know now how much my mom loved me but it still hurts me more now to know she isnt here to enjoy her grandchildren with me. I still sware i saw her above me when i had my little boy. Think you for understanding me and my fellings it means alot to me please e-mail me and mabe we can talk.
Momma i know you would be here if you could and i know that you left for a reason and i know i use to blame god for taking you from me but i also know now you never left. I can always feel you in some way here with me and henry everyday. I hope you are happy and i know im not straight right this moment but i am tring as good as i know. Pa dont think im a good mom because i dont have a job and he dont even know because he dont come to see me and he has never spent time with henry. I love you momma and i always will no matter what. Please say hey to everyone for me. I will see you when my work on earth is done. I miss you and i love you!!!

Courtney Price
Daughter

November 27, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the tenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Courtney, I know the hurt of losing someone you love so much never goes away and that the pain and pride are forever. Now that you are a mom yourself, you fully understand how much your mother loved you. Remember she is with you, in your heart and soul. We ache that our beloved officers cannot physically be with us, but your mother's love for you is without boundaries or dimensions.
Your love for each other burns as much as ever for it is eternal. I pray for your solace and hope that you have a happy, fulfilled life and that your smile is as glorious as your mom's smile in her picture. She was a beautiful woman. We are thousands of miles apart, but you are in this mother's heart today.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 9, 2009

Hey mom i just wanted to tell you i love you and you have a beautiful grandson. He was born 2-10-09 and waighed 7lbs 5oz. His name is henry patrick price and he looks just like you. I love ou much!!! Im going to take him to see you as soon as i can get the money to give someone for gas or call grandma. well stay beautiful, i love you

ur lil girl

Courtney c. Price
daughtor

April 5, 2009

Your EOW was 9 years ago. Time has not diminished your service nor sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 9, 2008

Hey mom i just want to say youre still the best. Im married now and you would love him. I wish you could have lived longer to meet his family. I have found out a lot of things as you know but its still diffrent without you. I love you and miss you forever!!!


You are still missed by everyone.

Courtney Cuddington Price
Daughtor

May 28, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 27, 2007

My mom was the best thing in my life. The woman who hit her should have went to prison for life. Here i am almost 18 and i look more and more like her every day and it hurts more and more. I think my mom was loved by everyone who knew her and thinks Everyone for your reflections. My mom is probably smiling in heaven because of all the people who loved her. I would like for anyone who wants to know anything about my mom please contact me. I know my mom was wonderful at what she did and loved it. I still remember how she smelt, how she walked, and how soft her hands were and that when she was killed she had on her side the 2nd thing she loved (her gun). When i was 8 my mom told me that if anything ever happen to her for me to know that she will always love me and that i was her pride and joy, and for me to never give up. My grandma told me that when momma was 14 she told her that she wouldn't live to see her 26th birthday and she was right she was killed a week from her birthday 11/26/99. I thank everyone who remembers her.

Courtney Cuddington
Shannon's daughter

December 8, 2007

On the eight year anniversary of your passing, you are remembered and a special prayer goes out to your family.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

November 9, 2007

You are remembered today Officer and thank you for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 5, 2007

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS / LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU ARE A TRUE HERO !

SINCERELY,
CPL. LOWDER

CPL. JON LOWDER
UNION COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT

April 25, 2007

What a terrible situation. The driver should have been charged with much more than a misdemeanor!!!

Continue to watch over your family, giving them the guidance they need to make it through each day.

Thank you for your service.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

November 13, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 7th anniversary of your end of watch. You have not been forgotten as you are a true hero and heroes never die. Keep watch over your loved ones, especially your daughter. Visit her in her dreams as we all know you love her more than anything. Protect her from harm and guide her through her journey through life. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 9, 2006

Hey Mom,
You will alwayse be remembered in my heart always. I wish you could be here on my 16th Birthday in March but you wont be. I wish i could have you back b/c now i cant even think because your gone. I have found me a redneck to love his name is Dewayne if you were here you would love him. I cry my self to sleep knowing you died on Nov. 9th and your B-day is Nov.26th which is today, the day i write you to tell you I LOVE YOU!! I MISS YOU !!! All you need to know is that you were the best mom even though I had 9 years with you and never met my dad Franklin but maby one day he will find me. You will always be my only and #1 MOM. NOBODY CAN REPLACE YOU! Everyone sais they can see you inside of me. I LOVE YOU MOM COME BACK!!!!!!!! PLEASE

Courtney Cuddington
Shannon Smiths Daughter

November 26, 2005

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