Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, AS ALWAYS THIS WRITER IS DISAPPOINTED THAT JUSTICE WAS NOT FULLY SERVED ON YOUR BEHALF.

VANDENBERGHE

January 28, 2008

You are missed and loved everyday. I can remember you visiting me a grams house and how you reminded me of the count on sesame street. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. We love you. P.S. you will always be the only 1 hahaha shawn (count) to me.

Monica R. Lucero
little cousin

January 3, 2008

I was a reporter at KOB Radio when this senseless tragedy happened. Officer Shawn McWethy, please know you are remembered. It is hard to believe it has been 21 years since you were lost. You were and always will be a hero.

Dawn Allen Lawson

December 27, 2007

"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 13, 2007

Hey Shawn-
I knew you from St. Pius and got to know you better through your friends Greg Cheshire and Marty Portillo. You always made me laugh and never had an unkind word to say about others. Your loss was so tragic and senseless. I like this tribute page to you and John Careillo. It's good to see your smiling face again. Rest in peace Officer McWethy- you are missed.

Donna Semones

August 8, 2007

Shawn,
I was happy to see when I searched the internet today that there is such a fitting tribute to you. It was truly a pleasure to know you even though the time was far too short. I will never forget you or forget what a special individual you were.
Gerald
PS...I have a Sean of my own, my seven year old son.

Gerald O'Hagan

March 30, 2007

Shawn, it is hard to believe it has been 21 years; I was a rookie when you were called home, but I remember every thing about that day. I reported to the command post, it was so cold and I was so shaken by all of it. It has been with me my entire career and when I think back, I remember what an awesome person you were and how much you meant to so many people. "No crime is too small" you will never be forgotten Brother-God has you now and for eternity!

Sisi
APD Captain

February 11, 2007

SHAWN,
YOU WERE A GREAT ACADEMY CLASSMATE. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS. MY WIFE HAS BEEN BACK OUT TO ALBUQUERQUE SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS LEFT FLOWERS AT YOUR GRAVE. I HAD HER BRING A STONE FROM CLEVELAND AND LEAVE IT FOR YOU FROM ME SINCE I COULD NOT MAKE THE TRIPS. A PHOTO OF YOUR MARKER IS AT MY DESK. A REMINDER OF YOU THAT I SEE EVERY DAY. GOD BLESS, WALT

DETECTIVE WALTER SIEGEL
SHAKER HEIGHTS POLICE

April 20, 2006

Shawn played the guitar,collected beer cans,drove a red mustang,was artistic
and was my friend. one time changing
the oil in his car he forgot to put the
filter on before he put the new oil in.
4 quarts of oil on the street in front of his parents house did not make
his folks happy as i remember but it was funny.

huck

huck

April 1, 2006

Shawn,

It is hard to believe that 20 years have gone by. Most of us that worked together have retired now, although some have returned to serve. The recent Deaths of Mike King & Richard Smith brought back so many memories. You should know that you are not forgotten. May God bless you.

Lt. William Kurth
Albuquerque Police Department

March 31, 2006

K-Shawn,

Can't believe it's been 20 years. So much potential gone. We all lost so much when we lost you. We think of you everytime we hear a "Journey" song - and no man, you weren't that great of a dancer! But you made up for it with your sense of humor. Lets hope justice finally caught up VPC.

Cindy & Tony Ruck

March 8, 2006

True justice has been left to G-d in this case.Rest assured justice will be carried out by Him.Rest in peace,Sir.

February 1, 2006

Shawn and I sold hardware together in the NE Heights before he realized his dream to become one of ABQ's finest. We all admired him for attaining his goal, even though it cost him his life. I can only hope to pass on to his family and friends what they already know: Shawn was a fantastic friend and Officer in our community.

William (Billy) Weir

August 30, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. GOD BE WITH YOU.

J.CISNEROS
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL POLICE

July 20, 2005

I recently was pointed out to the alley area where this incident happened, at my request since we were driving in the area. I was not living in New Mexico when this incident happened but it is a loss to the community to lose any officer. My thoughts also go to Officer McWethy and his family. It doesn't make it less tragic but the person who did this has died apparently in prison, from what I read and heard.

Reserve Officer Mike Thomas
Albuquerque Police Department

April 5, 2005

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You are a true hero to us all.

DE
St. Louis City Police

May 28, 2004

my prayers go out to this officers family and friends,i write articles for police officers families killed in the line of duty to show them these fine police officers "are not forgotten"

james r nowacki
westwood nj

james r nowacki
none

May 24, 2004

Shawn, I am so embarrased by the judicial system letting you down as they did. You are a hero. I honor you, your name, your memory and for making the ultimate sacrifice. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer).

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

April 2, 2004

Your murderer may not have been convicted in a court on earth but he will have to face the Ultimate Judge one day. There be no "Hung Jury" up there and his punishment will much worse then any given down here. Rest Easy and may God Bless your Family and Friends that you left behind. We got the watch down here and we will see you soon enough. It is not how you died Kenneth that made you a Hero, it is how you lived!

Lt. Keith Koen
New Iberia Police Dept.

March 3, 2004

"Hung jury", give me a break. NOW I remember why I did things that I did- I SURVIVED! Officer, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we!

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond, Va Police

October 18, 2003

Rest easy, brother. May God bring comfort to those you leave behind and may he bring justice to your killer. You are never forgotten, hero.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

I feel honored to have called Shawn my friend. His family are some of the best people God put on this earth. I miss his friendship, not a day has gone by where Shawn and his family were not in my prayers.

Sergeant Dan Klein
Albuquerque Police Department

Officer McWethy,
Thank you for your service to your Country and Community. It sickens though to think that a jury could find that dirtbag guilty of armed robbery and being an habitual offender but end in hung jury twice over your murder. It's just another example of how pathetic and sad the New Mexico justice system is.
Rest in Peace and thank you for your sacrifice.

Anonymous

I remember Shawn as a "good kid" with a bunch of fun brothers, Matt, Pat, & Joe, and great parents. We had alot of fun as next door neighbors, as boys often do, running the streets, goofing around and pestering the girls, etc.

I ran across this page on Shawn today, and quickly thought back to those fun times, and of Shawn's family. I know "Our Lord" is with you and blesses you. On this day and others that follow, my entire family sends it's warm thoughts and prayers to your family.

Mike Plunkett & family.

State Trooper/ Investigator
Okla. Highway Patrol