Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Brother Roberts ashes were scattered at Lake San Antonio

BrianE Shaw
Brother

March 28, 2024

I still remember the day Robert left us. I was working at the Monterey County Corrections Bureau in Salinas, CA. His brother Neil also worked there during that time.

I have since discovered a website that allows memorials to be voluntarily created, for free, on anyone who has passed away. The website is "findagrave. com," which is a part of Ancestry.com. The records are recorded and kept at Ancestry.com with a link to findagrave.

I have created a memorial on Robert but I do not have his place of burial. If anyone has that info, please let me know.

Retired Deputy Otha L. Morgan
Monterey County Sheriff Department 1981-2007

January 4, 2023

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Shaw.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 15, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 30th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 9, 2018

Amanda, I went to school with your dad and mom. I've prayed for you and your sister and Cindy ever since your dad died. Your dad was a great guy. He was a joker, but never mean. Give your mom and your Uncle Brian a hug from me.

Joan Leavitt McFarland
School friend

July 25, 2014

I am Bob and Cindy's oldest daughter, Amanda. As I sit here in tears reading all of your reflections, I am truly humbled and honored to be his daughter. My sister and I were so young when our dad died and we do not have the pleasure of the fond memories and stories. Reading and hearing stories about how funny he was and what a GOOD MAN he was makes our hearts happy. Thank you to all who have written here. Daddy: we love and miss you more that these words can express.

Amanda Vancil (Shaw)
Daughter

November 18, 2013

I had the great fortune to know Deputy Bob Shaw while an explorer cadet as a teenager. He was a calm and level minded person and treated everyone with the utmost respect. I often think about him and keep him and his family in my prayers.

May God bless you and your loved ones, Bob. And may your family find comfort in knowing that you are loved and remembered, and that you are resting in eternal life.

Eternal rest grant unto Bob, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Explorer Cadet J. Garcia
Monterey County Sheriff's Office - Salinas Post 211

October 22, 2013

Rest in Peace, Deputy Shaw. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 15, 2012

Deputy Shaw, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

April 9, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
f

April 9, 2010

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

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I could not help but be disgusted when I read of the circumstances of your death. The blatant insensitivity must have caused anquish and anger for your friends and collegues who were there, and your family when they heard of the outrageously offensive conduct of the rioters. I truly hope their behavior resulted in some serious self-examination of their character and some positive change in their behavior for that scenerio calls for attonement.

I hold your family in thought and prayer today.

This reflection is written with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Robert (Bob) gave to his community and the citizens of California,and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 9, 1988.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 9, 2009

May God continue to bless your family, MCSO, and friends.

You are not forgotten.

Sincerely,

K9 Officer Paul Werth and "Dan"
USCBP Blaine, WA

January 17, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 1, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 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 1, 2007

Bob was my second Training Officer when I was hired in 1982. Bob was a great guy. He was easy going and a great FTO who readily passed on his vast knowledge of the Department and the County.

I was a member of the Sheriff's Tactical Unit and present the night that Bob died. In my 20 years of service, that night will stick in my mind forever.

I remember the staging area before we were deployed to the riot. Bob, in his usual manner was joking and entertaining the "guys" with his unique sense of humor. He had that "dry" sense of humor that he was famous for.

When we were sent down the hill in formation, we were confronted by hundreds of of out of control, intoxicate youths. Hay bails used to line the racetrack where being set on fire. Anything that was accessable was being thrown at the Deputies who's mission was to restore peace. I consider that incident as one of the most hair raising moments of my career as a Deputy.

When Bob went down, I remember the crown chanting, "Die, pig, die". In reflection, I can't imagine what was going through the minds of these youths caught up in that moment. I think Bob's brother, Deputy Neil Shaw, said it best. They will have to live with their unconcionable behavior the rest of their lives.

We will always remember Bob's humor, the "Choir Practices" and his dedication to his chosen profession, Law Enforcement.

God Speed, Robert !

Deputy Sheriff, Greg Liskey (Ret)
Montery County Sheriff's Office

December 6, 2006

Deputy Shaw, thanks for your years of service. I pray God's Blessings on your family. May He keep, and protect. Rest easy now my brother, your watch on earth is over.

SGT. John L. Gulledge Retired
Escambia CO FL SO

November 21, 2006

I am Bob's youngest daughter. It has been hard growning up without my daddy and I miss him everyday. But it's days like this that I'm just wondering through the internet and find that my father is still not forgotten by all of the wonderful people he met. I'm 20 years old now and am looking into becoming a dispatcher. I would like to sincerly thank those deputies who tried so hard to save my dad's life. And thank you to those who still think of him after so many years.

Amber Shaw
Daughter

September 14, 2006

Bob was (is) my big brother. I followed in his foot steps and became a deputy in 1983. His death devastated me. I carried his leather note book with me for another 16 years before retiring with "cumulative post traumatic stress disorder". I stumbled upon this website and read all of your prayers and thoughts. Thank you to Larry, Bobby, Marti, Captain Cannon, the troopers...everyone, for thinking of Bob and his family. It means alot to us.

I often think about the people that chanted for my brother to die that night. All I can say is that they are older now and have to live with what they have done. When they lay awake at night, I hope they think about that. But what I really hope for, is that at least some of them have now asked the good lord for forgiveness, and vowed never to treat their fellow man like that again. I pray that they are teaching their children their valuable life lessons and that those children never, ever have their fathers taken from them at such a tender age. That is my hope.

As for Bob, we had him for such a short time but the world was richer because of him. He lives on in our hearts. I only wish you could have had his blackened catfish, chicken barbeque or tasted the fresh vegetables from his garden.

Take care out there, you brave ones, and keep fighting the good fight.

Deputy, Neil A. Shaw (Retired)
Monterey Co. Sheriff (Little Brother)

August 6, 2006

It would seem as though the the 1980's hit the Monterey County Sheriff Office with the force of a tornado with deaths of Deputy Knox, Deputy Jacobus, and Deputy Robert Shaw.

It was my pleasure to work with all three and know them beyond the street and workplace.

The tragic details of Bob's untimely death are memorialized in the hallways of this office, a wall of never forgotten memories.

However, I find it equally important to memorialize the lives of those departed. Bob was the living example of habits hard to break. Lunch, like clockwork, Der Weinerschnitzel (sp). I am certain that just like any good coffee shop, the hot dog clerks need not ask if he wanted mustard, sour kraut, or chili. It was a given.

But a life of habits was not the only part of the unique character of Bob. If an unknown jokster struck with a vengeance, Bob could one of the named suspects, although not always charged.

I met his wife, mother, and worked with his brother, Deputy Neil Shaw. It comes of no surprise as to the moral and loyal character of Bob.

I will continue to pray for his family and their search for happiness in this world. To his children, know that he was loved by all.

For Eternity,

Larry R. Bryant

Detective Larry R. Bryant
Monterey County Sheriff Office

April 13, 2006

Bob we will keep you in our prayers. Thank you for all your help while I was at M.C.S.D.

Bobby White, Special Agent
Federal Aviation Administration

April 8, 2006

Many at the department still reflect on this incident. Adding to the tragedy of that day was the fact that the crowd knew Deputy Shaw had fallen and, in a frenzy, were trying to lynch him from his partners. When they saw the ambulance take him away, they cheered and chanted that they hope he had passed away. This brave deputy gave his life unconditionally in the protection of those who did not want it...and many who did not deserve it.

Deputy
Monterey County

March 27, 2006

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003). Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

Deputy Shaw, you are remembered on this date of your death. You will always be remembered.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 9, 2004

Each day I read the ODMP. Today I read the story of your death. Every officer who gave his/her life for us need never be forgotton. Rest in peace, sir.

03/19/04

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

March 19, 2004

I agree with a previous writer who wrote “No officer’s death should be without reflection.” My condolences to the family of Sheriff Robert J. Shaw. Be proud of him always. You served us well......RIP brother.”

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police