Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's a small world, I met your son Justin Singleton while working a shift together, he was a part of my hiring process and was in my first interview with the agency. Who would have thought we would share the same story. I think the world of him and hope to be at least half the Deputy he is. I know you are proud of your son and he continues to honor your legacy every day.

Deputy James Mason Hardin
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office

February 3, 2024

22 years ago. I just can't believe it. I know you look down and are so proud of your kids. What wonderful, caring adults they have grown to be. I know that you continue to watch over your Brothers and Sisters still holding the line. RIP, my old friend.

Deputy Samuel Lapsley
Harnett County Sheriff's Office

September 14, 2023

Thank you for your service to the community you served well. Lieutenant Monica Carey will always be remembered.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 18, 2022

You don’t know me, but I now know you and your story. I’m so sorry this has happened to you and am praying for your family that God almighty takes care of them and comforts them in this unspeakable time. May God hold you in his arms forever. RIP

PFC DAVID HICKS
US ARMY INFANTRY

May 25, 2021

You do not know me, but oh do I know so much about you, I can only imagine what our relationship would be like today if you were still with us. I know that you look down and smile as you watch over your family and now the family we have created together as husband and wife. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of your son and the man he has turned out to be, I am truly blessed to be able to share this life with him. You should also know what a wonderful husband Justin is, I can honestly say I have married my forever best friend, and that my love for him is unconditional.
Justin truly has a heart of gold, he is the exact example of what a father should be, even though he isn’t by blood, he has taken Jackson under his wings and does his absolute best to make sure he knows he is loved no matter what.
Of course we have pictures of you in our home, along with different awards and certificates you had earned through out your career. Jackson will often point at some here and there, and of course Justin is proud to talk to him about you and share some of the stories of your life with him.

I often think about you while I’m with Justin, or during special milestones we share with other family members. Buying our first house together, getting married, (“finally” as they would say) and the many “just being there” moments we would have shared together.
I wonder what advice you would give us when life gets difficult, especially now in the crazy world we live in. Some days are hard to think about the career he has, and how it can easily lead him to dark places unexpectedly, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. I know as well as he does, that you will forever be his guardian angel and be with him when those bad days do appear.

Just know that they love you, and you are truly missed by your loved ones and are certainly not forgotten, even from the ones that haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you.

With love,
Your daughter-in-law

Amanda Shingleton
Daughter-in-law

September 16, 2020

Monica,
You are often in my thoughts and never forgotten. RIP Sister !

Deputy S.P.Lapsley
HCSO (formally CPD Lt.)

September 15, 2020

Dear Family of LT. Monica Carey,
Earlier this year I was searching for a way to remember the fallen officers and bring attention to the sacrifices that were made. You see, it has been very depressing to watch the attacks on the police and basing their worth on a few incidents when the amount of lives that are saved every day are astronomical in comparison. I committed to honor an officer each day on my Facebook page To bring awareness of the many ways we are all served and how so many have sacrificed all.; even to the point of their own family. Today I honored Lt. Carey.

Though I have never had law enforcement, other than military relatives, in my background, my father died when I was 6 and my brother’s were 4 and 12 and if it wasn’t for the help of a dear police officer friend of my mother who saw she needed help, I do not know how we would have ended up.

I know it wasn’t just my family, I hear these stories all the time of how officers have saved families just by their guidance and presence.

I have never written on any officers page until I read Lt. Carey’s Remembrance. As I read the story and then read of all the friends and especially her family who love her, I cried. I am near Monica’s age. What a beautiful soul she was to have raised such Children who treasured their mom. As I read their writings to their mother my heart broke when they wrote to “mommy” and “ momma” because I realized at their age they had not reached the age to start shortening it to “mom”. My heart ached for the times they missed. It is beautiful That their father was there and created such wonderful memories and kept Monica’s memory alive. It was also with such joy her parents have expressed for the woman and daughter she was while Still in their sadness.

I know Monica is proud of her dear family, knowing how her son has followed in her footsteps and climbed the ladder and that her daughter has now started her own family.

My heart aches for these dear loved ones and I pray for continued blessings For Meghan’s family and a guardian angel over Monica’s son, Justin. I pray that God grants Monica’s parents many healthy years to enjoy their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And, I pray that Monica’s memory may be eternal. God bless you all and thank you to Lt. Monica Carey for her selfless sacrifice.

Mari Khoury
Prayerful supporter of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. RIP. “Well done good and faithful servant” —-Matthew 25:21

September 14, 2020

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren and watch over your son during his tour of duty always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 14, 2020

Hello Momma. Its been a while since I have been on here to read reflections. A lot has happened the past few years. After 2.5 years in the jail, 5 years on patrol/joint task force, I am now a Detective in Vice/Narcotics. Been in Vice now since December 2016. Yesterday, July 14, 2020, marked my 11 year anniversary with the NHSO.

Went to SWAT school last year and the instructor was telling stories to the class for training and one of them was about the day you got killed. He did not have the full story so I told him and the class who I was and he let me tell your story. The Look on his face when I told him I was your son was priceless.

Last year I bought my first house and married my bestfriend. I have an amazing step-son that I love as my own, the same as Joe loved me and Meghan. And believe it or not Meghan is now a mother. Hopefully I'll be having one of my own soon. Not a day goes by I don't think about you. You are definitely loved and missed and as long as I'm around, your grandchildren and great grandchildren will know who you are.

I hope I can take my family to the National Police Officer's Memorial Week in DC next year so they can see just how close the blue family is and that the fallen are not forgotten.

Miss you and love you!!!

Your Son, Detective Justin Shingleton
New Hanover County Sheriff's Office

July 15, 2020

Rest in peace Lt. Carey.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Sister in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

September 14, 2018

"Hey Girl"
Hard to believe that 16 years ago tomorrow I was sitting at your table eating supper and it was the last time I would ever see you on this earth. I will see you again and tell you that you have been missed.

Lt. Owens

September 11, 2017

I don't get to Clayton much these days, not since I moved. I see the memorial at Bojangles and my heart aches. It aches because she lost her life a couple weeks after finding my infant son who had been kidnapped. Thank you heavenly father for people like her. She assured me that everything was going to be alright and it was. My son is now 15 and a wonderful person. (He does not know about this).

She was born to make a different in people's lives. Thank you Clayton PD.

A Mother
A Friend

June 8, 2016

Hey momma it's been 13 years now. Doesnt really seem like it though. I'm doing well. I'm still on the same squad on patrol and still have the best Sgt. I think about you everyday. I just wanted to say I love you and miss you.

Your son

Deputy Justin Shingleton
New Hanover Sheriff's Office

September 14, 2014

RIP Warrior. My prayers for your family and your brother and sister officers.

Jerry Boyd Chief of Police-Retired
Martinez, CA

September 14, 2014

Time goes by so fast! I remember Monica or LT Carey when she first got hired at the Wilmington Police Department. She did everything. I went down into the property section to get evidence to go to court, and of course, I had been at the PD for 10 yrs. I didn't have my stuff together, and she told me when you get the paperwork right, I will give it to you. She put me in my place. To Justin, Meghan, I retired last year from the WPD, you have a special Mom in heaven. And to your grandma and grandpa, they raised a angel in heaven that was taken from us too soon. It was a privilege to know Monica. May the Lord Bless you all and keep you.
Remember this.
"There is no greater love but to put your life down for others".
LT Carey went above and beyond the call for duty.
We, Fellow Law Enforcement Officers will always keep her and yours in our memories

SGT Jason R. Tyson (Retired)
Wilmington Police Department Wilmington NC

January 10, 2014

The years may pass on but I never forget that day. It was the worst day of my life and all I had to go through. You lost your life and gained a Heavenly one. I'm forever grateful for our friendship and your family over the years. Please keep watch until we all meet again one day.
Thank you for your service my friend.

Crissy O
former Cya Dispatcher

September 15, 2013

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 14, 2013

I sure miss you my friend. Days like today knowing we had to say good bye to another dear friend and loved Clayton Officer I worked with makes it no easier for anyone. I know you and Joe are happy together again and when this Joe meets you at those pearly gates tell him we love him and will miss all 3 of you dearly ever so much. Heaven sure has some great officers guarding those gates cause Lord knows ya'll 3 did a wonderful job down here.

Crissy O
former dispatcher cpd

June 10, 2013

From a brother at WPD.

Frank Kienast
Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (Retired)

February 1, 2013

Here we are another year gone by, this is always such a tough week. I think of you and the kids often and pause in front of your old house all the time. Good thoughts and God bless.

Deputy S.P.Lapsley
Wake County Sheriffs Office

September 17, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 11th 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 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. I pray for solace for all those who called you beloved for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 14, 2012

Hey Momma,
Only a couple days till your birthday. Im at work today and I just wanted you to know that I think about you every day. I know you are with me on every call. i am on the best squad and have the best supervisors. There are two female deputies on my squad (my sgt and a deputy) and they remind me of you and how you would put people in their place no matter how big they were. You are loved and missed every day. I just hope that I can be half the officer that you were. I have only been on patrol for 6 months and I still have a lot to learn. I still talk to some of your guys at Clayton. Most of then turned into old farts and retired. JG is still there, he is a Capt. T is a Sgt. But all of them are doing well and they are think about you every day too. Well I got to get back to work. I love you and tell Joe “If you can’t kill the turkey, you kill the turkey” he will know what you mean.

Love you,
your son

Deputy Sheriff Justin Shingleton
New Hanover Sheriff's Office

August 5, 2012

Dear Monica, it doesn't seem like it's been 10 years ago. More like yesterday. I only new you for a short while. But I can still remember you face and smile. Shortley after you came to Clayton Police Depart. I was forced to take early retirement due to my health. So srry, I wasn't there with you that day. But it will always be a day not forgotten. And you want be forgotten. My prayers are with your family everyday. RIP Sister. I know your in a safer place.

D.A.R.E. Sergeant Bonnie J. Oliver
Retired - Clayton Police Department

March 9, 2012

Hi Monica! A word from your mountain briend, to remind you that you will never be forgotten. You were a heckuva cop! RIP sister!

Chief John Millan (RET)

March 5, 2012