Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"My Brother"

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was idealistic and believed he could make a difference.
He was immensely proud of the uniform and the badge and what they represent.
He felt privileged to be of service to his department, his community and to his country.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was friendly, courteous, and polite, yet firm.
He laughed and joked, but was serious when necessary.
He was competent, trained, and professional.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He had a strong sense of right and wrong and became
frustrated when true justice became sidetracked.
He felt the sharp criticism that goes with the job, but he
never wavered.
He stood by and for his fellow officers.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He longed for his family during the long hours.
He worried about them during his shifts and the lonely
weekends, holidays and midnights when they were apart.
He felt guilty about the lost time, but knew his calling
and prayed they would understand.

He was a cop.

Although I never met him, I knew him.
He was a good son, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
He was dedicated to the profession and cared about the
people he served.
He wanted to do the best job that he could and strived to
be the best he could be.
He was a good citizen and a good neighbor.

He was a cop.

Yes, I did know him.
He was a cop, he was my Brother.

Rest easy Brother Blanton, we have the watch...



”I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
---Isaiah 6:8

You answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest easy in God's kingdom and watch over us as we continue the battle here on earth!!!

Officer
Metropolitan Police Department Washington DC

June 25, 2008

On behalf of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, our prayers are with you, your family and friends and all the Troopers of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

May God Bless those left behind to carry on your memory.

RIP, brother.

Trooper
South Carolina Highway Patrol

June 25, 2008

Trooper Blanton, you took an oath to protect and serve the citizens of North Carolina and this great country of ours. In the performance of duty, you made the ultimate sacrifice. There is no greater example of honor. May your loved ones, friends , co-workers find peace. May the citizens realize the sacrifice made by the law enforcement officers every second of every day. Your memory lives on through your friends, relatives,your son our brothers and sisters of the N.C. H.P.
Rest in peace Trooper Blanton, we have got it from here..

Vince Iello
NYPD Retired

June 25, 2008

Trooper Blanton, my sympathy and prayers go out to you an your family, as well to the fine Troopers of the NCSHP. I have had the priveledge of working with Troopers of the NCSHP and was always impressed at the professionalism of the Troop G officers.
Thank you for your service Trooper Blanton.

Chief Ranger John Hughes
National Park Service, New Orleans, LA

June 25, 2008

We are so touched by your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Blanton Family. This is such a senseless tragedy. We will also keep Trooper Blanton's son close in thought and prayer. May God give you strength and comfort. And to all our State Troopers.....keep fighting the good fight.

LCpl Robert and Lori Kunce
SC Highway Patrol

June 25, 2008

Rest in Peace Sir..

Officer Thomas Wiederhold
Fort Worth Texas Police

June 25, 2008

I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the Blanton family. Not many people are capable of doing a job that may require them to give the ultimate sacrifice. David Shawn Blanton Jr. is a true hero for he gave his life in the defense of others.

L/Cpl J.T. Morf
South Carolina Highway Patrol

June 25, 2008

My heart and prayers go out to you, your family, and the men and women who volunteer to protect me and my family.

Correctional Worker
Federal Correctional Complex, Butner, NC

June 25, 2008

Thank you for your service. You gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect others. You will be remembered always. You are truly a hero in everyones eyes. God Bless you and your family and friends. May God be with you during this tragic time.

Reserve Sheriffs Deputy

June 25, 2008

Trooper Blanton,
As I read the comments from of those who knew you, I can’t help but to wish I knew you too. You truly made a difference in so many lives during your short time here on earth, as well as in the wake of your death. THANK YOU for your years of service, you are a HERO, and will never be forgotten.

To the family of Trooper Blanton,
As the wife of a fellow NC LEO, I am deeply saddened by the loss of your husband, father, son, brother and friend. I pray that you will find strength in God, and that he will comfort you in the coming days. Please take comfort in knowing that Trooper Blantons’ legacy will live on forever in the hearts of so many across the nation. God bless you all!

June 25, 2008

Such a senseless loss, it is truly tragic his son will not have his father there for him. I pray for Trooper Blanton and his family. Time will slowly ease the pain. Thank you for your service, it is debt we can never repay.
God Bless.

Tracy Taylor, HSS
BOP, FCC Butner

June 25, 2008

Your courage inspires, and your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I work in EMS along side your fellow troopers, and look to them with admiration. May God bless you, your family, and every law enforcement officer for truely being heros.

June 25, 2008

Shawn u will be and already are greatly missed. getting the phone call at 10:45 that night was the worst and most unforgettable calls we have ever gotten. You will never be forgotten. We will all make sure of that. and we will take care of michaela and tye. my thoughts and prayers go out to the blanton family. Gods speed david shawn blanton. We will always love you junior!

Sara Womack
Daughter of NC trooper G-556

June 24, 2008

there are angles among us. and one of them was Shawn Blanton. What a kind and careing man he was. He will be sorely miss by us all. My prays are with his family. May god bless you all. I am so sorry for your lost. There is not words to express my feeling. your friend always Yvonne Mazet

yvonne Mazet
friend

June 24, 2008

Shawn,
Today was a day I'll never forget my brother. As I look at your Dad and Lil Brother as we ate lunch I realized just how amazing you are. We ate lunch and I gave Jesse my old Bow so I can take him with me Deer Hunting in October I couldn't help but realize how much I miss you! Then the trip to Mission as Kayla and I passed the 31 mm where you were taken unjustly from this World hit me. As the tears rolled down my cheek and the anger built inside I wished you were here to calm me down. As we made our way to the hospital I was nervous to see Tye. But as we walked into the N.I.C.U. I felt better as I walked up to Tye and saw him stretch out I was stricken with pure joy. He will be just like his Daddy. I want to be there for him as he grows. I know you already know but im trying to get Mossy Oak to give Jesse his dream hunt in Texas. I have been speaking with them through E-mail. Look after us my brother as we walk through hell on the streets for now you are in heaven. I love you!

William Benhart
Waynesville P.D.

June 24, 2008

May the Lord be with you and your family. Thank you for your service Trooper Blanton, you will never be forgotten.

June 24, 2008

Although your body is called to rest your spirit will reign in Heaven with Jesus for all eternity, for he had a high calling for you. May God comfort your family our prayers our with them. Rest in peace brother.

Ofc. Minardi
New Haven PD ,CT

June 24, 2008

It saddened me when I heard what had happened. I still remember meeting you while I was working in Cherokee a couple of months ago. Please know that your family will be in my prayers. You will be remembered always.

Luis Edwards Patrol Officer
Cherokee Indian Police Department

June 24, 2008

Blanton family, friends and community thank you for entrusting the NC Troopers Association / NC Highway Patrol Caisson unit with the priviledge of carrying our own, Trooper David Shawn Blanton, Jr, to Stuart Auditorium. As Trooper McGinnis (C936) rode "Kenny", Trooper Smith (G539)rode "Fetse" Sgt. McClelland F422 and Trooper Crumpler H647 walked beside the Caisson and Trooper Brown (R141) walked with "Detlief" we were overwhelmed at the expressions of gratitude displayed by the many well wishers. We witnessed kids saluting, teenagers praying and adults with their hearts covered. Evident by their attire many of them just happened to be at Lake Junaluska Conference Retreat Center. They witnessed hundreds of public servants there to honor a fallen commrade. These simple expressions of gratitude should be seen as a thank you for allowing Shawn to serve.

NC Caisson Unit
NCTA / NCSHP

June 24, 2008

I know that you are in a better place now, I know that you can hear me, so i would like to say thank you for putting your life on the line and keeping me and my family safe. And to your wife and baby i can not imagine what you are going through, i am so very sorry for your loss. Please be strong. GOD BLESS.

Kent Taylor Correctional Officer
NCDOC

June 24, 2008

As I read over these reflections, tears fall from my eyes and my heart aches for Trooper Blanton's wife, his baby boy and all his "LEO family". I pray that the Lord brings peace upon your hearts and gives you the strength to go on. It is a very sad day when a person you are sworn to protect takes your life. I hope people who are not in law enforcement or don't have a family member in law enforcement read these reflections and see that Law Enforcement Officers are people to. People who have family and friends who pray every day that they come home safely. And when the day comes that they don't come home, the world has lost a special person and that family feels pain that is unbearable. Also, please remember those who are at home praying for their loved ones safety are hero's too.

Please accept my condolences for your loss and I am deeply saddened that we are one less hero in this terrible world.

Jennifer
Wife of Deputy Sheriff/SWAT/Drug & Vice Unit

June 24, 2008

Trp. Blanton,

It deeply greived me when i heard of your passing. I was at the NC Patrol Academy as an advisor for an american legion youth program to give the youth an idea on the work of law enforcement. the Fsgt. came out before PT that morning and told us as advisors then the youth about what had happened. Please know that my heart and prayers go out to you and your family, wife and child. I want to be a Trooper one day. I only got to meet you a couple of times, but you was a great man. God bless, thanks for your work to serve and protect.

Christopher M. Morrow
Lake Junaluska Security

June 24, 2008

RIP Brother! It is so sad when one of us goes down. However, seeing such a young man and young family breaks my heart. I pray for your friends and your family. I hope your wife can be strong and that your sweet angel will know that her father was a hero.
We don't always understand the reason why the ones we love are taken, but it is not for us to question. I am sure you will be missed and loved forever.

Sgt. Borrero

Sgt. Borrero
Bpd

June 24, 2008

Rest in peace Trooper Blanton...

Lieutenant
Genesee County, Michigan

June 24, 2008

It saddens all Troopers around the United States to hear of any on-duty death. May God bless the Blanton family, and all of David's friends and fellow Troopers.

Trooper Darrell Hill
Wisconsin State Patrol

June 24, 2008