Officer Ambers O. Shewmaker

I had the great pleasure of growing up with Sonny. I believe he graduated Redlands High
in 1960 and after attending Valley Collage, joined the U.S> Army, serving his country proudy.
Sonny said he had truly lucked out by being stationed in Germany rather than Vietnam. Shortly after stepping out of his Army uniform, he was proudly raised his right hand and was sworn
in as a California Highway Patrol officer. He was so very proud of his new uniform and service
and this with good reason for he had graduated from arguably the finest law enforcement academy's in the country. The CHP academy was six months of classroom and on the road
training. To say Sonny love his job and "The guys" he worked with, for those who knew him
would have been a gross understatement. Oh and Sonny was loved by his beautiful wife and many of us that had the pleasure of sharing his always up and eagar attitude towards life.
I didn't have the meaningful pleasure of attending Sonny's funeral, however I did in fact see the hundreds of police vehicles pay respect with their officers from just about every uniformed police department in the state. I did have the great pleasure of attending the memorial gathering of family, friends, fellow officers and state representatives, held in Sonny memory as they dedicated a stretch of Interstate 10, in his name. Each in attendance were allowed to write a signed message on the back side of the freeway sign. It was a beautiful service. My wife and I were so pleased to have been part of the tribute to Sonny.

Thomas A Harrigan
Redlands Police Department
Seattle Police Department, Retired

Thomas Harrigan

September 23, 2019