Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't take a moment to sit under your memorial sign and say hello. Riverside will never be the same, there will always be an empty seat in the briefing room that only you can fill. Thank you for showing us how to enjoy life and how to be proud of what we do. We miss you Shannon. Thank you for being our guardian angel...

Jaci
California Highway Patrol

January 16, 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

November 21, 2007

Shannon and his life is reflected on every month by me at the Police Motorcycle Academy and the instructor school in San Bernardino. We tell the students of the dangers in this profession that we so love. Shannon, your memory stays alive to help others to realize the dangers of this job. The students we have in motor school, all are protected by your memory and we all know the pain your family has endured and we pray for them all. Your picture is proudly displayed on our hero wall. Bert Adkins

Bert Adkins MOTOR OFFICER
SBSD MOTOR INSTRUCTOR

October 16, 2007

Stopping by for my annual reflection...still remember
your name and face. Four years ago you were taken
from your family, friends and co-workers. Your memory
is alive and well and the canyon of grief is ever present.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 28, 2007

I can't believe it's been 4 years already. I still think of you every time I see a motor. You will never be forgotten.

Michelle
friend

August 27, 2007

Shannon-
4 years today...
a terrible tragedy changed our lives forever.

Riverside Office honored you with a nice Memorial today-
they haven't forgotten the kind of Officer
that you were--just as we will never forget
the kind of Husband, Daddy,Son, and Friend that
you were. You touched so many people and left an everlasting impression that can't and won't be forgotten.

Just the other day--I got your message from a stranger
about an "Angel being in our Family room"...
and Tucker sees you all the time-He tells me all about your visits -I also heard Brody talking to you this morning :)but, of course when I asked him about it...he got quiet...and that's ok...that's your special time together.
We know you are watching over us..
and will always be our guardian angel.

Though Heaven and Earth
has torn us apart
We continue to Love You and Miss You
....We will never forget You
You are forever in our hearts.
~xo~

Deanna,
Savannah, Brionna, Tucker, & Brody

August 27, 2007

Today marks 4 years since you were taken from us. We miss you so much. I can't believe 4 years has gone by so quickly. It seems like this whirlwind happened yesterday. You will always be in our hearts and on our minds. Not a day goes by without a reminder of you. We love you!

Lindsay Carr
Sister

August 27, 2007

It's been four years, and not a day goes by that I don't think about you and the sacrifice that you made. I know that you are in good hands, and you are watching over all of us. Every time that I arrest an impaired driver they tell me that I am ruining their life. It is the perfect oppertunity to tell them of your story, and let them know that it is not the end of the world for them. They do get a chance to go home and see their family and friends again. Not everyone is that luck as we all painfully know. You will always be in my thoughts, and your family in my prayers. We all miss having you around. I hope to see you again someday. Until then, "Hang On."

Matt

P.O. Matt Deerwester
Columbus P.D. / Friend

August 27, 2007

You have not been forgotten. We still fight the good fight, with an angel watching over us.....

God bless your family on this anniversary.

Detective
LAPD

August 27, 2007

I am thinking of you today and wish you were here to see how wonderful and amazing all of your children are doing and especially Deanna...Life is definitely not the same without you...I know you are watching over them with your big smile....
Thinking of you always...cindy

Cindy McCullah

August 27, 2007

Officer Distel,
Today is the fourth anniversary of your EOW. May the legacy of bravery, committment and love you left continue on through your children. You made a difference in this world, and we will never forget that.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 27, 2007

Another birthday has come and gone..remembering you and how much you enjoyed a good party. I miss you and your beautiful smile so much. I will love you forever.

Mom

August 9, 2007

Shannon, I have truoble writing everytime I tried. I am sure you understand. It is almost time for the Police Officer Memorial Ceremony in Washington D.C again, I have not missed it since the dedication of your name on the wall. I sketch your name each year as a token and reminder of the cool guy you were and always will be. I'll see you in Washington in May!!!

Viper Out!

Viper!

April 18, 2007

Hey Shannon-

I still remember working at the Gas station in Corona- and you and Maurice would come in and get ice cream, and tell us stories. It was you (and Maurice) who led me to the decision of being in law enforcement. I consider the time I knew you and spoke to you as moments of mentor-ship(if that's a word) I just want you to know that I miss you, as all of us do- and that the short time I may have known you, you made a huge impact on my life. I'm getting hired soon at Riverside P.D- workin hard. I saw an article a few months back, about the dedication of the 15 fwy- in your name- and it had pictures of your family. I hope they are all doing well- we all miss you. You are never forgotten!

Megan

Police Cadet
Riverside Police Department

April 2, 2007

I was talking to an old friend of ours today and it seemed strange not having you here. I miss you!

michelle

March 13, 2007

To the children of Shannon. You Father was a great Marine/officer/father. He will be missed

David Hale
LAPD/friend

January 2, 2007

What a more wonderful man could a girl want for her dearest friend? I see Shannon's expressions in his childrens faces and his spirit in his son as he gets older. God Bless you Shannon and every one of your family and friends! You are surely missed everyday!

Crystal Schabinger
Good Friend

November 17, 2006

Happy belated 231!! Semper Fi!

Larry Waltermyer
Columbus Police Dept.

November 14, 2006

Happy Birthday Shannon, I know you are guarding your post.

Semper Fi

November 10, 2006

Missing you, your smile and the sound of your voice. Continue to watch over us. I keep you close in my heart...always and forever.

I love you,
Mom

Cindy Distel
Mother of Shannon

October 28, 2006

I just wanted to say that I did not know you but I feel your loss and take it personal anyway. We are from the same hometown of Fostoria,Ohio. You see an odd thing happened On August 27th,2006, myself and another Officer from Fostoria started working together on the same unit after not having seen each other in over 10 years. He told me about your incident and I immediately felt the need to express my thoughts and prayers to your family, children, and fellow officers. May you continue to watch over us on your eternal tour of duty!!

Police Officer Larry Waltermyer
Columbus Police Dept.

August 30, 2006

hey dad I miss you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.I cant believe it's been 3 whole years when you were here. thanks for stepping up to the plate.You were the best Stepdad anyone could ever have.You and I did ps2, baseball ,everything together. I miss you so much now that you're gone.I love you so much. I will see you In HEAVEN AGAIN

Tucker

August 27, 2006

Hi Daddy I Miss You soooooo Much!! I really wish you could be here to see me throw and hit a baseball, throw a football, swing a golf club(Mom took me miniature golfing for the first time awhile ago and I got a hole in one!), shoot a basketball, and play pool. Mom says I'm a Natural at any kind of sports I touch! People are amazed that I can throw a spiral or when I throw a baseball, they say "what an arm!" And I can hit a baseball when it's pitched to me, when I'm only 3 years old!! And I hit it REALLY far! WHen it's time for me to sign up for t-ball---I won't be needing the "T." Friends Family and Others have told Mommy that I'm very talented and have such special abilities at such a young age...something that you just don't see in just any 3 year old..but, I know I'm not just any 3 year old...I'M YOUR SON!!! I'm special because my Daddy was sooo special and is sooo very special to me. I know you're playing with me from Heaven above, but, just wish you were here so I could make you proud! Mommy tells me all the time how proud you would be of me. Oh yea....and I'm a little ornery too!!! Imagine that!! Daddy, some day in Heaven when we're back together-we'll play ball together! My first homerun is going to be for you! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!

Brody
Your Baby Boy

August 27, 2006

oh my gosh, i cant beleive it's been 3 years since you were taken from us. i miss you sooooooo much!! Sometimes when i lie in bed, i think about the first day i met you till the last time i saw you. It makes me cry when i remember seeing what had happened to you on the news. i love amd miss you more than words can say.. even though you weren't my biological dad and i wasn't your biological daughter you never treated me or Tucker any different just as mom didn't to Bri and we all miss having our "dad" here. i love you!!!!!!!!

Savannah

August 27, 2006

hey daddy, i can't believe you're gone!:( i miss you so0o0 much, and it is so hard to go on every day knowing that you are gone. The whole family misses you and wants you back so much. I want to thank you for being there for mom... even though you're not really here we can still feel your spirit!I am so excited to see you again in heaven.... but in the mean time please send me signs to let me know that you're here with me each and every day! Thank you for takin' care of our family while you were still here with us.....! I LOVE you SO0O0O much, & can't wait to see you again!:):(

Bri
Daddy's Girl

August 27, 2006